Finding a new job is hard work and involves incredible stress. If you are out of work, it becomes your primary focus. If you are employed, the job hunt becomes like a second job. Most people only talk about their successes, but may encounter rejections, ghosting and rude treatment. It's an unfortunate part of the interview process.
You may be required to interview with three to 10 people over several months. Then, you may be met with little to no feedback. The odds are high that you’ll be ghosted and never know why you weren't chosen for the opportunity.
By following these tips, you can increase your chances of finding the perfect job.
How To Get Started
Before jumping into the search, ensure that you leave your company for the right reasons. Clarify your job goals. What are you looking for in a new job? What are your skills and experience? What are your salary expectations? Once you know what you want, you can focus on your job search.
Research your industry's current job market, trends, salaries and in-demand skills. Gain a sense of the job market by speaking confidentially with colleagues or mentors, reading about what is happening, watching the news and listening to podcasts that discuss the job market, economy and other factors that will help you gain a sense of what areas may be holding firm and those that may be in trouble.
How To Find Open Positions
From a practical and logistical standpoint, you must first find a job opening. Start by checking out job sites like LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, Indeed, SimplyHired, Glassdoor and various job-niche platforms. Then, go to the job listings on corporate websites that interest you.
Find a person who works at one of the target companies you are interested in interviewing at and ask them to share your résumé with the appropriate internal person. Human resources, corporate talent acquisitions and hiring managers place a significant premium on employee referrals. The thought process is that if an internal employee provides a strong recommendation, the person must be good, as the employee’s reputation is at stake.
It’s essential to tap into your network to see if they know of any job openings that are appropriate for you. The network is a loose term that brings together all the people you have close or loose ties with. These folks could be the kids you grew up with and still stay in touch with, current or former co-workers and bosses, neighbors, college alumni and members of your temple, church, mosque or synagogue.
Once you come across an open position that seems promising, read the job specifications closely. Make sure that your résumé clearly addresses the needs and wants of the job description, so that when you disperse it at the interview, the interviewers realize the fit right away. Familiarize yourself with the company’s products, services, business models, achievements and mission statement. Research the company to ascertain if there are any issues or problems surrounding the company.
Make Sure That You Are In The Right Mindset
One of the biggest problems that job seekers have is that they carry around a lot of baggage. They are angry with what’s happening at their current company and frustrated over mistreatment.
When people feel resentment and bitterness toward their current job, company, co-workers and managers, it’s painfully obvious to others. The people involved with the interview process sense the hostility, which is off-putting. Intellectually, they understand that you’re in a toxic environment. However, the hiring manager and others involved with the interview process don’t want to inherit any potential problems. They’ll think that it’s you and not the fault of your manager and co-workers. It’s not worth the risk of figuring out who is right or wrong. The hiring personnel will politely pass on your candidacy and move on to other applicants.
You must work on yourself before looking for a new job—even if you are relatively happy with your current position. You need to build a positive attitude and mindset that radiates confidence. Put any bad feelings and animosities behind you. Don’t carry it around like a weight on your shoulders. Start your search with a clean slate. Forget any regrets, ill will or resentments you may be holding onto. You want to exude positivity, confidence, drive, enthusiasm and motivation.