"Finding your dream job can require as much effort, energy and brainpower as full-time employment. "
If you want to land a job that’s right for you, take the time to fine-tune your hunting strategy – from perfecting your application, knowing where to look and impressing the people who matter, to effectively managing your time, maintaining morale and knowing when to say no.
Get your application in order
Before you even look at what’s on offer in the big wide world, you have to be sure your own house is in order. Your resume, cover letter and interview know-how are the essential tools in your career hunt. Make sure they are up-to-date, polished up and ready for battle. Read Career FAQs tips on creating a job-winning application, have your friends and family proofread your documents and have them on standby to disseminate to potential future employers. A successful job hunt also requires some selling power, so develop a pitch you can use when calling potential employers and learn how to dazzle in an interview.
Know what you want
Before you send a bulk email with your application to every advertised position that is even vaguely related to your industry or experience – STOP! Take time to think about what you want and narrow your focus so you don’t waste both your time and the employer’s. Make a list of what you are looking for (both personally and professionally) and only apply for jobs that match your priorities, talent and experience.
Where to look
Job opportunities can be found anywhere and everywhere. Don’t limit your search to traditional methods – it’s about opening your eyes, extending your networks and putting yourself out there. Newspapers, trade magazines, Internet job-search websites, Centrelink, Job Network services, recruitment companies, networks, online social networking sites and industry workshops are all at your disposal. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, but divide your time between looking through advertisements, networking both in person and online, and touching base with recruitment companies.
Establish a routine
Treat your hunt for a job as if it’s a job in itself. Your next brilliant career isn’t going to land in your lap if you aren’t actively on the lookout for it. Set aside time to seek out opportunities, put in applications and attend interviews. It will also pay to use your excess spare time to bump up your employability rating by attending courses to brush up on old skills or learn new ones. Doing temporary work will build work experience, keep your bills paid and may even turn into a permanent position.
Safeguarding your sanity
Don’t expect to find your dream career in a week or even a matter of months – it can sometimes be a long war of attrition. You’ll have to be prepared to tough it out and that means being able to deal with rejection. Don’t get disgruntled or demoralised if you miss out – stay focussed and tell yourself that the right one is just around the corner. Seek support from family and friends, remind yourself of the positive efforts you are making and look after yourself by eating good food and keeping yourself physically fit. It’s also important to separate your ‘leisure’ time from your ‘job hunting’ time so you don’t get an attack of the guilts if you indulge in a bit of down time.
Strike while the iron is hot
The job market is dynamic and very quick – it’s not the place to ‘um’, ‘ah’ or bide your time. Respond to job advertisements promptly (within five days of it being posted) and if you hear of an opportunity, grab the phone and give the company a call. Lots of employers will jump on the first decent candidate they see, so get into gear quickly.
Juggling the offers
Effective job-hunting is not just about getting as many offers as possible, but knowing which is the right offer. After weeks or even months of furious job hunting and countless rejections you’ll probably be cheering all the way to the bank when you get the call letting you know you can start on Monday. Think back to what you initially wanted when you started hunting – seemingly endless weeks of trying to track down the dream job may have skewed your perspective slightly. Ask yourself whether the salary is fair, whether you will enjoy the day-to-day work, whether you are willing to make the required life-style changes and if you are suited to the company’s values. If the answer if no, then let the hunt continue!
Keep a record
It’s important to keep good notes of jobs you apply for, application requirements, job interviews, contact people and their details, and your impressions before and after an interview. This job is made easy with the help of the Career FAQs Job Search Tracker, FREE with any online Career FAQs book purchase. The tracker can help you plan your responses to interview questions, questions you plan to ask and much more.
How to Evaluate a Job Offer - ( - 02/19/2011) You've spent the last few months answering help wanted ads, visiting recruiters, and networking. You've sent out your resumes and gone on a bunch of interviews. And now the moment you've been waiting for is here.
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