You made it too step three. By now you should have a good resume or at least a template. Your LinkedIn profile should look stellar. I bet by now you’re feeling like a rockstar, probably thinking you can get any job you want. I have been there trust me, remember this emotion internalize it. You’re going to need this rush of good feelings and confidence to build momentum and get that job that you really want. There will be ups and downs in this journey to finding that job that will set your career on the right path.
This step same as the previous will required a strategy. Having a good foundation like your LinkedIn profile will put you a step ahead. What I mean by strategy, is that you need to focus your efforts in the right places. If you don’t focus your efforts on that specific goal or target, you will most likely find yourself in a place you weren’t looking for.
I will go over 4 strategies that you can apply to your job search. The more strategies you exercise and the more you exercise them, the more chances you will get to reach that dream job.
LinkedIn: LinkedIn is like resume 2.0. Your LinkedIn profile is like a virtual resume that people you may know from school , work, conferences, etc. can search or stumble upon. What this means for you is that not only acquaintances can potentially offer you a job based on what they can see in your LinkedIn profile, but there are also headhunters actively searching for candidates to fill jobs their employers have available. If there search involves keywords found in your LinkedIn profile regarding specific experiences, skills, etc. You will most likely get an email or a message from such a headhunter, once you do, don’t forget to follow up. Sometimes communication seems really vague, the information they provide, is just not clear, don’t be shy “ask for clarification”.
Job walls: there are places where you can look for specific jobs that you’re interested in doing. If you decide to go this route, you must have an idea what you wanted to do, what your commute might look like, etc.. You do not need to know all the specifics about a position, you can discuss roles and responsibilities once you moved next step “the interview”. If you’re looking for a specific job like project manager, process engineer, pharmacist, welder, etc. I would recommend going to Indeed.com or ziprecruiter.com. Headhunters or companies will post positions and this boards to fill positions they have available. Just because you apply or submit your resume it does not mean that they will call you back or offer you an interview or even a job. Don’t be afraid to submit your resume as many times as possible to jobs you really want. You don’t want to get flooded with calls or emails from prospective employers from companies you really don’t have a real interest or wouldn’t be willing to commit.
Company sites: if you like the company or now about a position in a specific company that would put you on track on that career that you looking for, go to their site. Most likely you will find job postings under the career link, sometimes they will call it job postings. Just keep in mind most companies don’t always have the positions that we are looking for available, making job walls like indeed.com or ziprecruiter.com more viable sources. Quick tip: sometimes’s getting a position at a different company than the one that you’re looking for can enhance your resume to obtain a job at the company that you’re really interested in (resume enhance technic).
Career fairs: if you’re really passionate about the company, I would research if there are public career fairs I can attend. This way you will interact face-to-face with a company recruiter from such company. Attending career fairs will also help you gain some experience in the interview process (which will be discussed later). This is because you will probably be asked point blank questions about your experience and what are you looking for. Going to the career fair can also help you get a larger view of what companies are actually offering, in addition to, you can see if there are other companies that offer what you’re looking for. Best way to find “career fairs”, is just googling term within your area.
Ask a friend: sometimes your relatives and/or friends work were you want to work. They might help you put your foot on the door. This step is touchy because now you are mixing “family & business”. You don’t want to let down your family and/or friends that helped get all set up