5 Steps to Landing the Right Job for You - CareerAlley

5 Steps to Landing the Right Job for You - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Most of us spend more time working at a job than looking for one, so when it comes time to embark on a job hunt, you may feel a little rusty and out of practice. On top of that, many people are anxious about their future. How long will they be out of a job? What will happen to them next? You can regain control over the job hunt by keeping it simple. There are really just 5 basic steps to job search success, so take a look at them one at a time. Check out those steps below as well as how you can excel at each of them. Suggested Reading:Life Coaching: 7 Essential Lessons for Life and Career Coaching! Step 1: Define Your Career Objective. Many job hunters, particularly those people who have just lost their job, dont take the time to complete this step. But doing so can help to better ensure that you dont find yourself in this position again. You dont want just any job (even if it might feel like you do!). You want a job for the long-term. That means finding one thats the right fit for your skills, personality, and needs. How to Master This Step: Youre already ahead of most people by actually taking this step, but the next most important thing is to be realistic. Setting an objective that isnt attainable will hurt your job hunt, not help it. If you were let go from a previous position, think about the reasons why. Did you lack the right skills for the position? Was your personality a mismatch for the company? Or is your industry on the decline? A career assessment test can help you gain more insight on the right type of work for you. Step 2: Prepare Your Resume. Whip out an old draft to edit or start fresh. Your resume is often the first thing that potential employers will see, so its a crucial step in the job hunt. And you need an updated resume before you can even begin doing anything else. How to Master This Step: Your goal isnt to detail every single responsibility or accomplishment youve had in your career so far. Its to highlight your most relevant and impressive qualifications. Make sure the resume presents a strong case that youre the right candidate for whatever job youre applying for. Also, dont stop with the [easyazon_link asin=1440562199 locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]resume[/easyazon_link]. Create a strong cover letter that you can easily customize for different positions, gather references and letters of recommendation, and set up a[easyazon_link asin=1492291137 locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]LinkedIn profile[/easyazon_link] if you dont have one already. And above all, proofread. Step 3: Search for Job Openings. Now that you have your resume ready, its time to find places to submit it. This step includes setting up job searches online, letting people know that youre looking, and directly contacting companies where you want to work. How to Master This Step: When it comes to the online job hunt, you want to find as many relevant job openings as possible. That means casting a wide net that reaches as many websites as possible, but also setting narrow enough criteria that it returns jobs that you want to apply for. Industry-specific sites, such as CareersInGovernment.com and HealthJobsUSA.com, are great resources, as well as job search engines that allow you to focus on a particular location. For instance, this JobTonic sub-site allows you to search for job openings in Dallas, TX across multiple job posting sites, saving you from having to check each one individually. As for the offline job hunt, dont be afraid to get in touch with people you havent connected with in a while. Many people are reluctant to be a bother, but the truth is that most of your contacts are more than willing to spare a few minutes to offer you some career guidance or advice. At the same time, youre making them aware that youre looking and what your credentials are. Step 4: Expand Your Network. Whats perhaps the single most important thing that can help you to get a job? Who you know. Now, that doesnt mean you have to be related to or best friends with someone at the company, but if you can find some sort of connection even a minor one its a plus in your hire me column. So check to see who you might know already (know can be a loose term) and find ways to put yourself out there and meet people in the industry or company that interests you. How to Master This Step: Think outside the box: strike up a conversation with your mailman or the barista at Starbucks. You never know who will know someone worth meeting. When you do make a connection whether at the supermarket or a jobs event follow up. Even if they didnt seem like they could offer any help, reach out. Or better yet, offer to be on the lookout for them if needed. Step 5: Interview. Some people feel like theyve already got the job by the time they get to the interview stage, but while its true that they wouldnt be bringing you in unless they already liked you, theres every chance in the world that they feel that way about several other candidates, too. Make sure youre calm, cool, confident, prepared, and perhaps above all friendly and personable. How to Master This Step:[easyazon_link asin=0470457414 locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]Research the company[/easyazon_link] and position for which you are interviewing so that you can speak intelligently about it during your interview. If possible, try to meet with people you know at the company ahead of time to get the inside scoop about the culture and possibly even the person who will be interviewing you. And dont be afraid to practice with common interview questions. You can find plenty of material out there online, and lots of companies today even make apps to help you practice your interview. Career Tip of the Day:Planning for Your Job Search Lesson 1 We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ //