This post has all the job hunting tips that were told to me as a job seeker, and I want to pass on to you!
After 8 months of job hunting, I finally got a job (cue fireworks, happy tears, and loss of free time). The process was a slog, and somehow even harder than trying to get a job in the height of COVID. While I don't think there's any magic key and I don't have anything special to say that will immediately get you a job, I've compiled a list of the things I think can help when you're
Here is the list of the job hunting tips and habits I found super useful this year as a job seeker.
Job Hunting Tips for Job Seekers
1. Consistency
Check job postings every day. I cannot stress this enough. I know we're all job hunting like crazy, but I was shocked to find out that while we often see job postings with 1000 applications (cue job hunting apathy), a lot of companies will actually only have their postings live for a few hours, or a day, because they're inundated with so many applications.
2. Networking
I get it, it feels gross. I prefer to think of networking more as relationship building or making friends. It's a better way to think about it because then you're coming from a place of genuine interest in another person rather than what's in it for you. Everyone has been a job seeker at one point or another and understand the struggle.
So talk about it! Talk to your parents friends, your friends, people you meet that ask what you're up to. "I'm job hunting" is the perfect segue for them to ask what area of work you're looking in. Who knows, maybe they can help! You will be shocked by the number of people who actually want to help you, and offer to connect you with people they know.
3. Turn on alerts
Create email alerts for keywords you're looking for! This makes your life so much easier, especially for those roles that are only live for a few hours. There's so many times where I'm a day late looking at my email, and I click on a role that looks cool only to find out that they're "no longer accepting applications".
4. Prepare
This kind of goes without saying, but if you get an opportunity to actually talk to a real human rather than an auto rejection email, prepare for it! It gets hard preparing the exact same things constantly, but take the time to go through the specific job posting and find ways to tailor your responses to the skills they're looking for.
I have a whole post about prepping for interviews where I go through everything that you should do to put your best foot forward.
Already land an interview? Check out this post for the Ultimate Interview Prep Guide!
5. Ask questions
While it feels like you're just trying to get a company to pick you, it's also about if you like them! If you're lucky enough to get an interview and have actual face-time with someone from the company, ask details to see if its the right fit for you.
I recently had my manager tell me the thing that really stood out to her during my interview was one of the questions I asked. It helped her get a better sense of what I wanted, what kind of person I was, and whether that was a good fit for her team. Never underestimate the impact of a good question!
6. Check multiple platforms
its tempting to just scroll endlessly through linkedin jobs, but don't neglect other platforms that focus on your area of interest! For example, if you're interested in tech, there is also Y Combinator and Wellfound.
These other more obscure platforms can sometimes pay off because there will be fewer applicants monitoring it too!
7. Don't give up
Job hunting is potentially the worst thing in the world and I actually don't wish it upon anyone. It's so hard, draining, and feels like it won't end (especially in this job market).
Try and have faith that it WILL happen for you - because also, it HAS to. The alternative is never being employed, which is actually a ridiculous thought. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean you're not making progress!
Check out this post: 11 Interview Mistakes Ruining Your Chances of Getting Hired
