How do you find the right job?
A quick scan of some vacancies online will easily show that there is no shortage of vacancies available. But building a rewarding career isn’t just about getting a job. It’s about knowing how to find the right job for you, a job that engages and motivates you and makes a valuable contribution every working day.
Find the right job by adding a list of wanted people
Start your job search by thinking about the aspects of the position that appeal to you, whether it’s flexible working hours, professional development, or more challenging projects.
It can be helpful to rethink your past roles and identify which aspects have been most helpful to you. This is where you can build your must-haves, followed by the “fun but unnecessary” aspects of the document. This will help you answer the question “Which job is right for me?”
Start with a clear strategy
Depending on the position sought, the demand for candidates may exceed the offer. However, the most attractive positions tend to be highly competitive as skilled and experienced professionals strive for career advancement.
This makes developing a job search strategy even more important. If you take an organized and structured approach, you have a better chance of being selected for your ideal role.
Consider all your skills
Your professional skills are essential to the nature of the job you are qualified for. But don’t forget other skills that can also be useful in the workplace.
Volunteering can develop leadership and collaboration skills. Or you can become a good public speaker. These types of skills developed outside of work or formal training can be highly valued by hiring managers, so be sure to include them on your resume. They can be the surprise factor that helps you find the right job.
Spend time looking for a job
Once you have a good idea of what you are looking for in a job and an understanding of the skills you can offer an employer, it is time to focus on the job search process. This means that you need to make time to get around and find the right job, even if you are busy with your current role and other responsibilities.
Research carefully. View jobs across multiple platforms to maximize your options. If you are not currently employed, treat your job search as if it were full time so that you can spend as much time as possible looking for suitable vacancies and working on applications.
Check the market
Part of an effective job search strategy is understanding the level of demand for professionals with your skills and experience. Even in times of low overall demand, employers may face a shortage of professionals with specific skills.
Talking to recruiters is an easy way to get a firsthand understanding of the state of the job market. Professional recruiting agencies are in constant contact with employers and, as a result, have up-to-date knowledge of the most in-demand candidates.
The Robert Half Salary Guide is also a useful source of information on the job market and the most sought after skills.
Be ready to network
Many vacancies are filled even without job vacancies, so it makes sense to use this “hidden” job market to find the right job. Networking with industry professionals or being an active member of industry associations and professional organizations can help you identify new opportunities that may not have been publicly advertised, or at least keep an eye out for when they become available.
Focus on the right roles
It pays to focus on positions that can use your skills and experience, even if it means waiting for the perfect position to become available. This will not only increase your chances of being considered for the role, it will also help you find the right job – one that will challenge and reward you.
Review your skills and consider whether someone with your qualifications and experience level could appeal to the employer in question. If you’re unsure whether you can fill the position, or vice versa, if the job isn’t challenging enough for you, chances are the hiring manager is too.
Prepare your resume
Your resume is an important document – it’s your first contact with the hiring manager and a great opportunity to promote yourself to employers. However, you never know when the perfect position will be available, so it is advisable to always keep your resume up to date.
Maximize the value of your resume by making sure it contains concise details about your skills, qualifications and experience. Then tailor your resume to the position in question when an attractive vacancy arises.
Explore each option
Finding the right job can take an open mind. Your dream role can develop over time, for example temporary or project-based roles can lead to permanent employment. This means that such opportunities should not be turned down, because you can get your dream job in an unexpected way.
Being open to all possibilities will give you the best possible chance to develop your career and learn new skills and ultimately find the right job for you.
