The Job Search: Some Simple Tips

Employment application form with pen

Whether you’re a fresh-faced grad facing the unknown terrors of the “real world” for the first time or have been working for a while and are moving on to newer employment prospects, the search for the right job can be a long and daunting prospect.

There are a lot of factors that contribute to this, from knowing where to look to trying to piece together the perfect cover letter and resume, and often times it can seem you’ve spent hours on the hunt without getting anywhere, bringing you back to square one.

That’s why ABL Employment has put together some tips for job hunters. Take a look below for some pointers on how to make the process a little simpler and more targeted towards helping you stick to the prospects that are the right fit for your skills and personality.

USE THE RIGHT RESOURCES

There are a lot of different methods, both online and offline, that are designed to help you with your job search – so many, in fact, that just knowing where to start can be a difficult process.

The good news is, having such a broad spectrum of resources available means that there are also several of them tailored to specific industries, offering the opportunity to narrow a search down to those jobs that are within your field of expertise and that matches your skillset. Here are some tips for making use of these resources:

  •  Do a web search to find job sites that are catered to your industry, or to find listings on less specific job sites, such as “construction jobs NYC”
  •  Find recruiters in your area that cater to, or specialize in, the field in which you are looking to work
  •  Talk to people working in your industry about any resources they can recommend

Narrowing your search down is contained to jobs in your field will keep things focused on quality over quantity, and will help you find prospects that are the right fit for you.

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

Once you find listings that you think are ideal, don’t just start sending the same cover letter over and over and again with the names and titles replaced. There will likely be several applicants for each position, so you’ll want to make sure you stand out: a bland, generic email describing who you are, why you want the job and why you think you’re right for it isn’t likely to be enough.

That’s why you need to take the time to research every company to which you’re applying. Get to know them, their culture, their expectations, their mission – all of it – and carefully craft a custom cover letter that tells them you’ve done your homework. Don’t just tell them why you’re the right fit for the job, tell them why you’re a valuable asset to the company as a whole.

You’ll also want to make sure that the manner in which you apply and the tone of your cover letter matches both the type of job and the company. For example, if it’s a position that requires a good degree of creativity, then get a little creative with your application. If the posting used humour, use a little of your own in return.

Employers receive countless applications every week, and most of them are likely very similar, carbon copies of one another. Making the effort to set yourself apart and sell yourself as a perfect fit for their company and culture can mean the difference between being added to the ‘ignore’ pile or catching their attention for an interview.

STAY ORGANIZED AND FOLLOW UP

Searching for a job often means casting a wide net. Even if you follow the tip of sticking to resources within your own industry, there can still be a good deal of positions for which you feel you’d be a good fit, and you may end up applying to far more than you thought you would, which makes it easy to lose track of where you sent your information that day.

Stay on top of where you apply by creating a spreadsheet that details every posting you replied to and when you applied. If there was an HR manager or someone in a similar position with whom you dealt when applying, note their name and any other relevant information After a few days or a week, if you haven’t heard anything back, follow up with a phone call or email, noting the date of this in your spreadsheet as well.

This will not only help you keep track of the jobs you really want, it can also help you keep your head clear as you continue through the application process.

KEEP AT IT

We know that the job hunt can often be a long, tedious process, and we hope that these tips help make it a little easier for you. Remember: all that time and effort will pay off sooner or later. Keep at it, and good luck!

If you’d like to speak with one of our team members further for more advice and information on searching for a job, find your local ABL Employment office and get in touch today!

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