What is the best way to find a job during these challenging times? That is the question everyone is asking me right now. So let’s take a look at one key ingredient of a successful job search: Being focused.
Let’s look at the different ways of how a focused job search is a successful job search.
”How can I quickly find a job?”
As a recruiter, there were countless situations in which a job seeker approached me saying something like: “I need a job. I’m a fast learner, I can do many things, and I am a people person. I am looking for a job that fits my skills.”
Whenever I heard that it leaves me with little I can do to help – because I have no idea what this person is looking for. Suppose I want to move them forward in the hiring process. I have a lot of digging for answers ahead of me: I have to figure out what their skills are, what value they bring, and if they will be passionate about working here. Most recruiters do not have that time. So, they move on to the next applicant until they find one who tells them exactly how their background, skills, and career goals perfectly align with this position and company.
So, what does this mean for your job search? While you might initially think that applying broadly to every job you find online will get you hired the fastest, it is actually the opposite. Job seekers with a clear focus on where they want to go are the ones who get hired faster and quicker into more fulfilling positions.
Let’s look at the different ways of how a focused job search is a successful job search:
#1 Know your job search destination
Your job search is a mission – but a mission to where? You need to know where you want to go in order to come up with the best strategy for reaching that destination.
Imagine you are driving from A to B, but you don’t know where B is. How long will it take you to get there? Probably much longer than if you would have invested time first to figure out where you want to be going.
#2 Be curious about your target industry
If you read my previous blog, “5 Steps to Creating a Personal Brand and Succeeding in Your Job Search,” you know why and how to create your own personal marketing slogan. The next step is to conduct your market research. You need to know WHO you want to market yourself to in order to come up with the best marketing strategy to reach your target audience.
You have to stand out and position yourself as the candidate of choice for this specific industry. Standing out starts with being passionate, wanting to learn more, and being really curious about it. Actually, being curious and asking questions in itself can already lead to a job offer.
#3 Get your resume past the dreaded applicant tracking system
What is an applicant tracking system? It is a software program used by most recruiters to filter resumes. It only passes resumes that meet specific criteria through to the recruiter. About 75% of resumes are filtered out and never get seen by a recruiter. Therefore, it is critical to tailor your resume to every job you apply to and include all relevant keywords.
If your job search is broad, tailoring your resume for each application is an enormous amount of work. Your time is spent better determining the industry and profession you want to target, then tailoring your resume to that field. Now you only need to make small adjustments to your resume for each application instead of rewriting it altogether.
#4 Target your LinkedIn Profile
Your LinkedIn profile is an essential part of a successful job search. While I recommend updating it regularly, you cannot tailor it to each specific opportunity, like your resume.
Research shows that 97% of recruiters use LinkedIn. So, when you apply for a position, chances are the recruiter will look at your LinkedIn profile. If your LinkedIn profile tells a different story than your resume does, it raises a red flag for the recruiter. For that reason, it is crucial to be consistent across all your career marketing documents, so they tell the same story. The best way to achieve this is by having them tailored to your target industry and positions.
#5 Tell a compelling career story
Stories are memorable. You want to tell a compelling story of how your background, skills, and strengths have led you to where you are today and how you are a perfect match for the opportunity in question.
Career paths are often not streamlined, and that is okay. Most of our careers, including mine, are more like a zig-zag line with some wrong and some right turns. And it is also rare that an applicant meets 100% of the requirements a job posting asks for. But you do not need to be perfect to tell a compelling story about how you are the best choice for the open position.
Focusing your job search on a specific profession and industry allows you to determine the strengths and skills that are most in-demand in this field. Now you can reflect on your background and experiences and bring the stories to life that match your target career field.
Bonus: 6# Don’t shy away from networking
The # 1 most successful job search strategy is networking. And I know most people shy away from it. Many of us think of it as using other people or aggressively promoting ourselves. But that is not what networking is. It is building mutually beneficial professional relationships. And then it is all about having career conversations with the people in your network.
During these career conversations, you want to be curious, ask questions, strive to learn, but also tell others what you are looking for so that they can help you. However, if you do not know where you want to go, how are others supposed to help you get there?
If you ask a connection if they know anyone who might have “a job where you can utilize your people skills,” it’ll be difficult for them to help you. But if you ask them if they know of any “entry-level human resources position in the hospitality industry,” they might just know someone you want to talk to. Being specific in what you are looking for allows people to come up with ideas on how to help you best.
But being this focused does not mean to close yourself off to opportunities that arise. If you are clear on where you want to go, you can measure unexpected opportunities against your career goals. This will allow you to make the best decisions on which options to pursue further.
In conclusion, a focused job search is a more efficient and effective strategy than a search that is too broad. Applying for jobs that are not a good match for you is merely wasting time. You are less likely to land a job, and even if you do, you will probably not be happy and fulfilled in your career. The extra time you spend on figuring out precisely what you want to do, you will easily save in your job search.
FAQs About effective job search method
How to Use AI for Job Search?
Using AI can be a game-changer in your job search, and tools like ChatGPT can help you find the perfect career path. AI can assist in tailoring your resume, crafting personalized cover letters, and even prepping you for interviews. With AI, you can explore different career options, generate ideas for your job applications, and receive feedback on how to improve your job search strategy. For more detailed insights on how to use ChatGPT to find your ideal career path, check out this blog: How to Find Your Perfect Career Path with The best ChatGPT prompts
What Is the Best Site for Job Search?
When it comes to job search platforms, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Each platform has its pros and cons, depending on your industry, location, and job level. The key is not just in choosing the platform but in how you position yourself—your resume, cover letter, and brand story all play crucial roles. In my experience, LinkedIn stands out as a powerful tool for job seekers. My clients have seen tremendous success with LinkedIn because I teach them how to optimize their profiles, build strong networks, and use LinkedIn effectively for job search. While other platforms like Indeed, Glassdoor, or Monster are useful, mastering LinkedIn can truly set you apart.
About the author
I’m Theresa White, a Career Clarity Coach, Job Search Strategist, and President of Career Bloom. With a background in Recruiting, Human Resources, and Management
After struggling with career uncertainty and the fear of starting over, I finally discovered my true calling and found a job that makes me excited to wake up every day. This clarity transformed my career and filled me with joy, knowing I’m doing work that truly matters. How did I achieve this? By gaining crystal-clear insight into my purpose. It’s easier than you might think, and I’m passionate about guiding my clients through this discovery process to help them find their ideal career.
Connect with me on LinkedIn, listen to the Career Clarity Unlocked Podcast, or schedule your free 30-minute career clarity consultation.
Final Thoughts
A focused job search is a more efficient and effective strategy than a search that is too broad. Applying for jobs that are not a good match for you is merely wasting time. You are less likely to land a job, and even if you do, you will probably not be happy and fulfilled in your career. The extra time you spend on figuring out precisely what you want to do, you will easily save in your job search.
Resources
- 4 Steps to building your personal brand story for a successful career change
- 5 Ways to Land A Job Faster With a Focused Job Search
- Find the skills that energize and motivate you. The ones that make you say, "I want to do this every day!"
- How to Find Your Perfect Career Path with ChatGPT (Incl. the Best ChatGPT Prompts You Need).
- Find the 3 steps to successfully change your career
- The quickest way to land your dream job? Get career clarity
Join my free masterclass to start your career change in 3 simple steps, and discover the proven path to finding a career you truly love!
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