Here are seven tips if you are searching for a job to help you focus and succeed:
1 – Identify your Target Job – It’s important to have a clear idea of what kind of job you want to pursue. Consider your interests, skills, and values, and do some research to find out what types of jobs align with those. Look for job titles and industries that excite you and that you feel passionate about. This will help you stay motivated and focused as you work towards your goal. Your ideal job will be something that you enjoy doing, you are good at, and that can provide you with the salary you are looking for.
2 – Identify What People Look Like in Those Jobs – LinkedIn is a great resource for researching what people in a specific role look like and what skills they have. Look at profiles of people in your target job and see what kind of skills they have and training they have. Look for the keywords that they talk about on their profile. This will give you a good idea of what you need to focus on in order to stand out as a strong candidate. It will also give you a good idea of the types of organizations that hire for those types of jobs and what people in those jobs do.
3 – Get Training – Once you have identified the skills and trainings that people in your target job have, make a plan to acquire those skills and trainings yourself. LinkedIn Learning is a great resource for finding online courses and trainings in a variety of subjects. Consider signing up for a course or two to help you build the skills you need to be successful in your target job. Complete the relevant online tests available in LinkedIn to add to your profile. Adding those skills increases your qualifications and shows inititiative on your part.
4 – Improve Your Resume/CV with Keywords – Keywords are important for getting your resume noticed by recruiters and hiring managers, especially for searches using automated screening tools. Look at the job descriptions for positions you are interested in and identify the key skills and qualifications that are mentioned. Make sure to include those keywords in your resume, as they will help it get noticed by the right people. Don’t overdo it though and make it sound forced or artificial. Read your profile out loud and note if you hear the same words repeated too many times.
5 – Improve your LinkedIn Profile– Your LinkedIn profile is essentially an online resume, so it’s important to make sure it looks professional and showcases your skills and experience. Potential employer will likely look up your LinkedIn (and perhaps other online profils to learn about you.) Look at profiles of people in your target job and see what kind of information they include in their profiles. Note the keywords they use. Note the quality of the proile and background photo they use. Note the kind of content they post about and react to. Use this as a guide to improve your own profile, making sure to highlight your relevant skills and experience.
6 – Practice Interviewing – Interviewing for jobs can be nerve-wracking, but the more you practice, the better you’ll become. Consider practicing with a friend or family member. You can do it in person over coffee or over remote video. Maybe even give them some example questions to ask. Consider recording yourself on video so you can see how you come across. You will be surprised at how many small improvements you can make by just seeing yourself. This will help you feel more confident and prepared when you go into a real interview.
7 – Expand and Activate your Network – Networking is a crucial part of the job search process, and LinkedIn is a great platform for connecting with people who can help you find a job. Make sure to actively use LinkedIn to connect with people in your industry and to participate in relevant groups. This will help you build relationships and make connections that could lead to job opportunities down the line. As you connect with people, remember to focus on building the relationship first instead of immediately asking them for something. Simple things like commenting on people’s posts can be great ice-breakers and relationship builders that will make it easier to ask for help down the road.
Overall, setting good goals for the new year can help you focus your efforts and stay motivated as you work towards your career goals. By identifying your target job, researching what people in that role look like, and taking steps to acquire the skills and experience you need, you can increase your chances of finding a job that you love. Good luck!
Note: All images are public domain from Pixabay or Pexels.