DS Articles

In some recent articles, I have broken down the job finding process into its logical components and detailed them individually. With this article I intend on building on those articles by offering tips which will speed up the process for you, looking at job hunting as an entire process.

1. Don’t wait till you start looking for a job, before you start looking.

Be up to date with your industry and the conditions of your employment environment all the time. Make this part of your job description in every job you hold. It could save you weeks when it comes time to find a job.

2. Ensure Your Resume Is Always Ready

Sometimes you just need to be ready to pounce for that dream job. If your resume is always up to date and you are always familiar with its contents, you will be ready. Update it at least twice a year with new skills and experience. You’ll then be ready for those unexpected offers which occasionally present themselves.

3. Recognise Networking Opportunities Every Day

Your network is your key to the inner workings of your industry. Try to remember everyone you meet professionally. Try to remember what they do and who they work for. When you catch up with them, get them talking about their jobs and businesses. This is a great way to maintain intimacy with your industry and goes a long way to helping with point 1 above.

4. No Matter What It Is For, Go To Every Interview Offered

Successful interviewing requires touch and it takes mistakes to get that touch. It is a skill you can only learn through practise. You don’t want to learn these skills when you are being interviewed for your perfect job, you want to make your mistakes with jobs you don’t really care for. So go to every interview you are offered, for no reason other than the practise. If you get offered a job you do not really want, have the courage to decline it.

5. Note Down Your Experiences.

Note what you did well with each job opportunity. What worked, what didn’t, improvements you could make, elements you can get rid of. Then, when you next go through an employment opportunity situation, revisit your notes, duplicate the good things and improve the bad things. Recognise the process as having a learning curve, and learn.

6. If You Are Out Of Work, You Still Have A Full Time Job

You should apply the same discipline, diligence and professionalism to job hunting as you would to work. It will keep you sharp and this will shine during your job interviews. Do not fall into the habit of sleeping in and taking unemployment as a holiday. Your full time job now is job hunting.

7. Maintain Clarity Of Focus

Keep at the front of your mind what your goals are, keep a focus on them and don’t go running around after irrelevant opportunities. The worse thing you can do is accept the wrong job, it could put your career back years.

Finding a new job is never fun. Keep the faith though and good luck with your hunt