Today, job seekers are bombarded with “expert information,” which is usually the same tricks repeated over and over. Lets take a moment to help you job seekers out there by offering a more in depth explanation of advice that many career-professionals overlook. This advice is works for both active and passive candidates alike.
The job market is always evolving; candidates need to be more creative than ever to catch the employers’ attention. The advice from 10 years ago no longer applies; advice to candidates should keep pace with the reality of the job market.
Here are five tips that job seekers are not often told.
1. Find a mentor, utilize their network and advice.
Everyone should have a mentor. When looking for a mentor, ask for referrals from past co-workers, managers, friends, networking acquaintances, and social media connections. Ideally, your mentor should have a current role that is similar to what you aspire to do and a network that is pertinent to your industry.
2. Make a list of companies you would like to work for and start networking.
Target a list of 5 to 10 companies for whom you would like work. The next step is looking at your Linkedin network to see who you know that works for those companies or who can help you connect with the companies’ key decision makers. This makes it far easier to submit your résumé directly to a person rather than a faceless email address.
3. Use Indeed.com and SimplyHired.com.
These sites are aggregators, meaning they pull from job boards all over the Internet. This is a great way to see what companies are hiring and for what positions agencies are recruiting. These sites will save you time since you won’t have to check multiple job boards. Keep in mind that it is always wise to connect with at least one recruiter who is a subject matter expert in your industry. Recruiters can have access to jobs that are not posted online and usually know the current market trends.
4. Utilize and maintain a professional social media presence.
Google yourself regularly. You do not want to find out about bad personal press from a potential employer. If your search shows less than flattering results, make sure to take note of the information and contact the site to see if they will remove the questionable content. Your goal should be to have as much positive press show up as possible. Professional social media sites like LinkedIn are great for demonstrating your knowledge and influence in your field.
5. Ask for constructive feedback from interviewers, friends, mentors and former employers.
The truth can be hard to face but, without it, you cannot make adjustments that will help you succeed in the future. Before providing references to a potential employer, always know what each reference will say about you. If their feedback contains constructive comments, make sure to take that to heart. Remember at the end of an interview to ask the hiring manager “Do you have any other questions for me or do you see any reason that we wouldn’t move forward?” It is a direct question to ask but this will ensure that there are no misunderstandings between you and your interviewer(s).
Whether you are unemployed or passively looking for a better opportunity, getting a job is never an easy task. The key is to never stop building relationships and always work to improve your skills.
