Searching for jobs can be daunting, but the right prework can eliminate some of that headache. No matter why you find yourself seeking employment there are a few things that should be addressed prior to sitting down and applying.
What is your end goal?
Before you apply for that first job, sit down and ask yourself what you want to accomplish. Is it finding remote work, a new challenge, or are you transitioning from one role to another? Whatever your reason for beginning this search, you must have a game plan before you start. Ask yourself the 5 W’s- Who, What, Where, When, Why? Who are you as an employee? What do you wish to do in your career? Where do you want to do this? When do you want to start the search and a new career? Why are you searching for a new career?
Revisit your resume.
Once you have an idea of the reasons behind this career change and subsequent search, you will want to revisit your resume. You’ll need to read it through and update any outdated information and grammar issues; adding new or recent roles and responsibilities. Don’t forget volunteer experiences can also be added to your resume if they pertain to the role you are searching for.
Create a purposeful job search.
At any time you can search for an array of jobs, but not all of these jobs are the right fit for you. If you have a specific title or field in mind that you want to transition into, I suggest doing a google search of this role to locate other names it may be known as. Do you want to become a recruiter? If you search “recruiter” additional terms like “talent acquisition specialist” or “sourcing specialist” might populate. Take note of the additional terms used to describe the work you wish to do; this will aid in creating a purposeful job search. The same goes for location. If you want to work from home, be sure to list all of the alternative ways to describe that, such as virtual, remote or telecommute. If you only search with one keyword you could miss out on the perfect opportunity.
Applying for the perfect job.
Now that you’ve done all your prework, you are ready to search and apply for that perfect fit. Input your keywords into the job board or direct employer website. You may need to use a mixture of the terms you have located. Make sure you read the entire job posting to ensure that not only you meet or exceed the minimum qualification, but that this job itself sounds like something that you can accomplish and enjoy. I suggest opening the job post in a separate browser window while you continue to search. Once you found a few positions, research the company. Does the company’s mission align with your goals? If not, it probably won’t be a great fit, and you might want to continue your search. Remember to always proofread and update your application before hitting that submit button. Just because your resume auto-populated into the application, does not mean that the information populated properly.
Stay positive in your search, switching careers is not easy, but using a purposeful search and targeting keywords can make all the difference.
Written By: Phylicia Vallier
What is your end goal?
Before you apply for that first job, sit down and ask yourself what you want to accomplish. Is it finding remote work, a new challenge, or are you transitioning from one role to another? Whatever your reason for beginning this search, you must have a game plan before you start. Ask yourself the 5 W’s- Who, What, Where, When, Why? Who are you as an employee? What do you wish to do in your career? Where do you want to do this? When do you want to start the search and a new career? Why are you searching for a new career?
Revisit your resume.
Once you have an idea of the reasons behind this career change and subsequent search, you will want to revisit your resume. You’ll need to read it through and update any outdated information and grammar issues; adding new or recent roles and responsibilities. Don’t forget volunteer experiences can also be added to your resume if they pertain to the role you are searching for.
Create a purposeful job search.
At any time you can search for an array of jobs, but not all of these jobs are the right fit for you. If you have a specific title or field in mind that you want to transition into, I suggest doing a google search of this role to locate other names it may be known as. Do you want to become a recruiter? If you search “recruiter” additional terms like “talent acquisition specialist” or “sourcing specialist” might populate. Take note of the additional terms used to describe the work you wish to do; this will aid in creating a purposeful job search. The same goes for location. If you want to work from home, be sure to list all of the alternative ways to describe that, such as virtual, remote or telecommute. If you only search with one keyword you could miss out on the perfect opportunity.
Applying for the perfect job.
Now that you’ve done all your prework, you are ready to search and apply for that perfect fit. Input your keywords into the job board or direct employer website. You may need to use a mixture of the terms you have located. Make sure you read the entire job posting to ensure that not only you meet or exceed the minimum qualification, but that this job itself sounds like something that you can accomplish and enjoy. I suggest opening the job post in a separate browser window while you continue to search. Once you found a few positions, research the company. Does the company’s mission align with your goals? If not, it probably won’t be a great fit, and you might want to continue your search. Remember to always proofread and update your application before hitting that submit button. Just because your resume auto-populated into the application, does not mean that the information populated properly.
Stay positive in your search, switching careers is not easy, but using a purposeful search and targeting keywords can make all the difference.
Written By: Phylicia Vallier
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