10 Tips to Help You on Your Job Hunt

​Daunted by the prospect of trying to find your next job? You’re definitely not alone. There seems to be an over-saturation of tips and tricks online trying to solve this issue, so we’ve summarised our top 10 tips in the only list you’ll need to save time and get that new job faster.

1. Don’t start searching until you know what you are looking for

First things first, be honest with yourself about what you want – reflect on the type of work you enjoy and where your strengths and weaknesses lie.

You have probably heard one too many times about how you should ‘follow your passions’ – it’s not bad advice but sometimes the best place to start is actually as simple as following your skills. In short, find what you are really good at and start there. That way you’ve built up confidence in what you have to offer.

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2. Research your ideal companies

This isn’t a complicated one; find companies you want to work at, see what they have on offer, and determine what they want in an employee. This means you’ll know how to best present yourself for a standout impression. If you don’t know the company and what they’re about, you won’t be able to best understand what they want from their ideal candidate.

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3. Market yourself as the most obvious fit for the job you’re trying to get

Sift through the job ad criteria looking for keywords and build those keywords into your cover letter and resume (without lying or being extremely obvious). This step is especially important when you consider lots of companies will be putting your resume through a computerised tracking system.

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4. Support your application with your LinkedIn Profile

If you are not already on LinkedIn – what are you waiting for? More than 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn as one of their main search tools. Your LinkedIn shouldn’t be stagnant either, you should constantly update it to fit with jobs your applying for even if it’s just changing the wording slightly to position yourself as a direct match.

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5. Make sure you utilise your networks

LinkedIn is popular for a reason; the aim is of course to build a network so you can utilise it when you need to, and job hunting is the time for it! If someone in your network works at one of the companies that interests you – don’t wait it’s time to reach out. Your application will end up on the right desk sooner with a referral.

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6. Remain positive, don’t let desperation ruin your chances

Let’s face it, negativity never got anybody anywhere. You don’t want to be sitting around watching your phone waiting for it to ring – the last thing you want to seem is desperate. Employers can sense desperation and it won’t get you the job as employers always want someone with a positive attitude. The best way of achieving this is limiting your search time to a set time frame in your day which may sound counter-intuitive but means you won’t get as exhausted by the process.

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7. Pre-Interview research: a compliment and a selling point

Find something you love about the business you’re applying to and have a compliment at the ready because everyone appreciates being told they do something really well – and employers also want to know you would be motivated to work for them in particular.

What can you offer a business that not everyone else can? Find your unique selling point. It could be that you over-delivered on your last quarter and can do the same for another business or even just that you’re contagiously passionate about project management.

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8. Be swift and efficient

Having a simple spreadsheet of where you’ve applied and where you’re interviewing as well as contact details for the person hiring in each position, means you’ll be able to stay on top of all your job opportunities and act fast when needed.

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9. Take initiative: follow up

Don’t underestimate the simple gesture of sending a thankyou email after an interview or even a phone chat, be genuine and personal. Remember the main thing the interviewer wants to know is what you can offer the business – make sure you follow up to confirm your interest.

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10. Don’t expect a quick find

No one said it would be easy, or quick for that matter. Try not to rush yourself or the process but mentally prepare yourself for the possibility that it will take several months to find and get offered the right job.

Now that you’re ready to take action and get hunting, check out our latest job opportunities here  or read job interview tips or  tips for first day nerves .