Are You Frustrated In Your Job Search? 7 Tips To Get You Through
Source: Mashable
With the problem of unemployment in Kenya and large numbers of graduates every year, job seekers will only become more frustrated with time. For this reason, it is important to review how you go about your job search every now and then so you can form a new strategy to fit the job market.
This will help you stand out from other jobseekers, keeping you one step ahead as you start or advance your career.
To help you out on this, here are tips to help you take a new focus on your job search.
7 Job Searching Tips For 2015
1. Don’t be a copycat candidate
Job searches are a very personal experience and one-size-fits-all strategies will not help you stand out among the competition. Even though a certain interview tactic or style was successful for one candidate doesn’t mean it is the best strategy for you.
Take into consideration your personal experiences, preferences and career goals and use them to position yourself as a unique candidate.
2. Learn to look at job titles differently
You might consider some jobs as being boring, career-limiting or otherwise undesirable. Such preconceptions, however, about the scope, strategic importance and long-term potential of these positions are not always true.
In many cases these jobs offer exceptional opportunity for influential and attractive long-term careers, so try to be open minded.
3. Know that first impressions are everywhere
Most employers are using social media in the hiring process, so the content of your social profile forms an employer’s first impression before you even sit down with for an interview.
You should take special consideration to job-proof your social media profiles. For example, use a picture that represents you as a professional. Assume everything will be seen by a potential employer, then clean up your content and edit your pictures accordingly.
4. Be prepared to land the job
Job seekers make the mistake of thinking the interview as just being informational. You should go into every interview prepared to land the job, not just learn more about the organization.
You only get one shot at your first interview, and this mistake will get you caught looking unprepared and unprofessional. Instead, always come ready for a formal interview; you will never regret being prepared.
5. Be strategic with social media
Social media is where employers are posting jobs and the amount of content and connections thrown at you every day can become overwhelming. Be strategic with how you use social media to seek out job opportunities. First, know where recruiters and hiring managers for your industry spend most of their time.
For example, if you’re looking for a job in finance, LinkedIn might be a more valuable site to keep updated. If its in Communication, Twitter and Facebook are a great resource.
6. Network with your peers
You should aim to network with your peers, in addition to your more senior team members. Find ways to be the person that comes to mind when recruiters ask who they’d recommend for the job. Your peers can also offer honest appraisals about your performance and work reputation when referring you for a job.
7. Be realistic
Be honest about what you can realistically offer to a new employer. It’s tempting to apply for a more challenging and prestigious role, but make sure you have both the skills and the commitment to be successful.
Take a candid look at your current lifestyle and think about how it would be impacted by the position you’re considering. Just because the perfect opportunity has come along doesn’t mean it is the perfect time to accept.
