Finding a job is potentially one of the hardest things we can do. Regardless of our age, experience, job history, or skills, finding the right job for you can range from very easy to extremely difficult and everywhere in between.
Whether at the start of your career, in the middle looking for something better, or looking because your company has moved, merged, or disappeared, or for any number of other reasons; looking for a new job may be harder than you thought it would be.
You’re not alone, job seeking is an acquired skill, not something few of us are good at naturally; fortunately, there is help available and as with any skill, the more you learn, practice and experiment, the better you will get. Consider these twenty-one points a good place to begin.
STAND OUT – Do things that give you a competitive edge or advantage. A job search is very much a “survival of the fittest” exercise. Typically, one applicant gets the job and everyone else has to start over. Your cover letter, your resume, how you present yourself, the interview, and how you follow up; this isn’t about ego; it’s about demonstrating why you are the best person to solve an employer’s problem.
Employers go to market to solve a problem – An organization begins a job search because somebody has left or the demand for their products or services outstrips their ability to supply that demand. Your key advantage is to appreciate and remember you are solving an employer’s problem, instead of just focusing on solving your employment problem.
Your perfect job will not be advertised – Employers prepare job ads as if they could build the perfect employee. The job ad is their “wave the magic wand” hope, but in reality, that person is usually not available, so they look for the best person available AT THE TIME THEY GO TO MARKET. Therefore, still apply even if you don’t have all of the skills listed or for jobs that are close to what you want; in the beginning we all must be prepared to compromise. Find an employer that will either let you grow into the position or that will allow the position to evolve into your “perfect job,” appreciating it may take time.
Do cold calls – Many organizations may be thinking about hiring but haven’t posted yet; if you approach them with the skills that they are looking for, you might solve their employment problem without them having to resort to a lengthy posting and interview process. “Cold Calls” should be done in person; calling, or emailing doesn’t cut it! There is considerable rejection and while it is the most difficult way of finding a job, it can be the most effective method.
Read job ads carefully, follow the instructions, but take chances – Learn the difference between required and preferred, employers interview to find the “best candidate available” and if you carefully match your skills, both direct and transferrable, to as many of their top requirements you may be surprised to discover you are the best person available.
Understand your transferable skills – Too many people discount or think the skills they have acquired in one sector do not apply to other sectors; however, often skills are transferable and provide different and unique perspectives that are even more valuable to employers.
There is help available – Most communities have employment offices that will help you find a job, get additional training, help with expenses, and provide you with important support during a period of time that can be very stressful for you and your family. Free guidance is available for every aspect of your job search from crafting “kick-ass” resumes to understanding why certain interview questions are asked. They can help with role-playing cold calls, interview skills, and help with getting you successfully through orientation and while you learn to feel comfortable in your new job.
Don’t let the stigma of being unemployed affect you – Don’t be embarrassed, appreciate looking for a new job is a full-time occupation, and share that you are looking for work with family, friends, former co-workers, and basically everyone you know – you will be surprised by how helpful people are.
Looking for work is your job until you start working again – Experts say only 20% of all jobs are advertised, meaning 80% of possible jobs will have to be sought out. Organize your day, just like you would if you were working. Create plans, knock on doors, practice what you are going to say, and set goals and make it happen. Each iteration, ask yourself “What did I do right? What did I do wrong? and How can I do it differently next time?” Then do it.
You want to be noticed – Society seems to drive conformity into us from a very early age and to stand out we have to forget that conditioning. Children in kindergarten beg to answer questions in school, by grade 7 that enthusiasm has all but vanished and the older we get, generally, the less we want to be noticed. When you are looking for work, you want to be noticed.
Everything builds or tears down your reputation – What you get from school, or any job is entirely up to you, good experiences or bad experiences are all learning experiences if you have the correct attitude. Take chances, be the first one to volunteer, and become known as the person “who gets things done.”
Only looking for online jobs is a mistake – Sites such as MONSTER.CA; INDEED.CA, LINKEDIN, WORKAPOLIS, and others are very helpful; however, everyone else is using them as well. Digital sources are only part of your search, networking and “cold calling” are important tools too.
Always be upgrading and learning – Virtually everything that has ever been written is available to you and much of it is FREE. Whether in books, magazines, webinars, digital books, podcasts, or seminars; finding, learning, and applying this knowledge will help you to stand out.
Appling your knowledge and plans sets you apart – The world is full of people with good ideas, but what is more valuable is the ability to make those ideas a reality.
Tailor your cover letter and resume for each opportunity – Remember the employer has a problem and you want to match your skills, experience, and attitude to their requirements.
Keep your resume as short as necessary – Job seekers often try to cram as much as possible onto their resume. Instead, only list the points from the last 10-15 years and put them in order as if you could only tell an employer one thing about you, and what would it be; and then list the rest of your points using that philosophy. Your resume and cover letter are advertisements, design them to attract the employers attention from the first word.
Proofread – Your resume and cover letter represent your level of preparedness; grammar and spelling errors are poison. Use AI as a tool but resist the urge to use AI to create a “perfect resume,” as it is unethical and potentially could create a painfully obvious gap between how you present yourself on paper and how you appear in person.
Apply as soon as possible – Many organizations need someone yesterday and it is not uncommon for those employers to hire the first person they feel is qualified. While many employers will wait until the cutoff date listed, do not assume they all will.
List your references on your resume – This advice runs counter to what almost every expert says, however, in smaller communities, listing references may be the difference between getting an interview or not. For smaller employers, the risk of hiring an unknown person for any position is huge, and potentially knowing your references can dramatically reduce their risk.
Spend 20-30 minutes on research before an interview – Basic interviews are 20-30 minutes long and you should spend at least that much time preparing. You can gain a useful edge by visiting their social media or physical sites.
Don’t limit your aspirations with assumptions – Appreciate many organizations have many more job types and opportunities than you think. For example, a furniture company has more than sales positions available, they may have drivers, warehouse helpers, office associates, service people, janitors, accountants, buyers, advertising and promotion people, and managers.
Be positive, and upbeat, smile, have good eye contact, and demonstrate humility whenever interacting with an organization’s people – Whether you are dropping off your resume, speaking on the phone, emailing, or coming in for an interview, expect them to be observed and recorded.
Whether “cold calling” or attending an interview, learn who you should speak to and have some questions prepared in advance – Remember STAND OUT, be humble but be bold, and always be prepared. When the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for us?” if they have not discussed the salary, this is a good time to ask, “Have you determined the salary range for this job?” It is okay to ask this question if you do not know.
Don’t trip – On your resume or during an interview don’t give out any personal information such as your age, marital status, number of children, sexual orientation, religious belief, etc. Never wear a hat and never bring coffee or another beverage.
Be early and know where you are going – When you have an interview, always be early (15-20 minutes to relax and prepare) and always know exactly where you have to be.
Do follow-up. For every application or interview, do not be afraid to follow up. By touching base in a friendly manner, you will draw attention to yourself; if the job has been filled then be careful not to “burn any bridges,” and let them know, that if something changes or the person doesn’t work out, you would like to be considered.
For interviews or cold calls, dress like you already had the job – People make their first impression of you within 7 seconds of meeting you. Pay attention to personal grooming, don’t underestimate how the failure to take personal hygiene into account will hurt you. Watch your posture, sit up, and lean forward slightly. Hint: use their social media presence or visit the location to determine what is appropriate.
If you were an animal, what kind would you be? Some interviewers like these types of questions, to see “HOW” you think, they are important questions.
Before starting your job search, review your social media footprint – Raise your security levels, delete potentially embarrassing posts; employers do check.
Practice, practice, practice – Looking for a new job is not something many people do very often. Practice “cold calls,” practice interview questions, and take advantage of the FREE help that is available from your local employment services, few people do this, and it will give you a substantial competitive edge..
Be MRD (motivated, reliable, and dependable) – These three attributes transcend every workplace. Be motivated to build your reputation and do every job to the best of your ability every time. Be reliable, arrive 10-15 minutes before your shift, work, and don’t leave early. Be dependable, your employer needs to be able to count on you to deliver what needs to be done.
Finding a job is one of the hardest things we can do.
A job or career will change your life, how is up to you, the skills you bring, the attitude you display, and the resilience you have to the various curves and pitfalls that everyone inevitably faces. Getting a good start is key and all of these twenty-one points can help you to become MRD.
Good luck,
Paul.
PS – You’re not alone, job seeking is an acquired skill, it is not something few of us are good at naturally; fortunately, the more you practice and experiment, the better you will get.