America’s job market is in an interesting position in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. While we finally started seeing unemployment rates below double digits at the start of 2021, it’s not gotten any easier for employers or job-seekers. Finding a job was complicated enough before all of this began, and now, it’s even harder to get the right fit.
If you’re worried about not having work and need help finding a new job, never fear. Our list of eleven tips for finding a job will help you to navigate the job market and find something that works for you!
Table of Contents
1. Be Clear in Your Desires
Ask yourself if deep down, in your heart of hearts, you need help finding a new job or if you’re choosing a career path. So many job seekers want the latter, but seek employment as if they’re in the former category. Is this job intended to be something that will support you into the future or something to keep you afloat for the moment?
Answering these questions honestly will help you tailor your search to jobs that fit. It will also help you go into your interviews with the right attitude. However, if looking for a job and going to interviews is not your thing, you might want to consider investing in a franchise and being your own boss. For example, the home improvement and flooring industry have a lot of franchising opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to make their mark and grow their careers. Many of the franchise opportunities out there are run with a semi-absentee business model option. Finding a quality semi-absentee franchise can allow you to grow your career and gain success in the industry.
2. Seek Help With Your Resume
When you search “how to find a job” on Google, chances are, you’ve encountered a million and one guides that tell you to update your resume. That’s all well and good if you have up-to-date information on what’s expected for resumes. If you don’t, or worse, don’t know how to compose a resume, make sure to seek help. A poorly formatted resume will cost you job opportunities.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Adjust Your Documents
Piggybacking off of the above point, your resume and cover letter are not etched in stone. They’re intended to be living, breathing documents that you can adjust on the fly and tailor to particular job opportunities. Don’t hesitate to make some minor tweaks if it will help you stand out from the crowd. Just make sure you don’t lie.
4. Get Social With It
Job searching isn’t limited to websites like Indeed or LinkedIn. Many employers use or search regular social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter. They can use these platforms as recruiting tools and research tools for potential employees. If you haven’t made sure your public social media face is employer-friendly, now might be a good time to clean and adjust your page.
5. Use Your Network Where You Can
Speaking of social networking, use your network of connections where you can. If you have friends in your industry, see if they know of any openings. Ask around and see if your friends have any of the types of jobs you want. Most are only too happy to share good opportunities or warn you away from those that could cause harm.
6. Try to Stay Organized
One of our best tips for finding a job? Stay organized.
When you’re deep in the searching process, it’s easy to lose track of where you’ve applied, who you’ve contacted, who you’ve sent CVs to, and when and where your interviews are. Finding a new job can be a messy and chaotic process, and not staying organized is a one-way ticket to forgetting something.
7. Cast a Wide Net
When you have a specific vision for your career path, it’s easy to get tunnel vision and focus only on those jobs you see as relevant. Don’t be afraid to widen your net a degree or so outside of your typical field or even go for TQL entry level jobs in Cincinnati. The types of jobs you thought were irrelevant could have transferrable skills and a decent pay rate, especially if your need for work is pressing.
8. Take Time to Build Your Skillset While Searching
The biggest mistake you can make while searching for employment is making that your only task. While you’re out of work is the perfect time to start building your skillset or pursuing certificates that can help you.
For example, sites like UMA can help you kickstart your medical career by teaching you the skills you need. Google offers many basic tech and coding certificates for the completion of certain courses. Make use of your downtime to learn something new.
9. Don’t Accept Offers Due to Panic
Another tip from someone who’s been there: Don’t accept a job offer out of panic. When you have bills to pay and debts draining your limited savings, it’s easy to feel like your back’s against the wall. That desperate need for survival often comes through in job interviews, and worse, can make you blind to any red flags that your employer is giving you.
Even if your financial need is pressing, take a moment. Calm down. Breathe. Look at the offer before you with a logical and objective mindset before you sign the dotted line.
10. Research Companies Thoroughly
Now, most tips for finding a job include research as part of them. Often, this research focuses on pay, location, and company culture. However, we also highly recommend you look at reviews from past employees and turnover rates. An employer may seem excellent on paper, but hide a toxic culture behind a pretty facade.
It does you no good to go from unemployed to employed but miserable. Take the extra time to research your prospects before you agree to anything.
11. Show Some Self-Compassion
Lastly, when finding a new job, show yourself some compassion. As we’ve mentioned above, the process is messy, chaotic, and stressful, especially when it’s a time-sensitive matter. If you’re struggling to find work after a few weeks, or even months, remain gentle with yourself.
It’s hard to find a job right now, especially if you’re choosing a career path and sticking with it. Give yourself some time to relax in the midst of all the chaos. It will help.
Need More Tips for Finding a Job?
Now that you have some basic tips for finding a job in your back pocket, you may have some more questions. If you need more help figuring out how to find a job that’s right for you, then check out our blog. We update each day with more helpful and informative articles like this one.