If you haven’t looked for a job in the last couple of years, you’re in for a surprise. A lot has changed, even for the best candidates with the most in-demand skills. There are the added factors of online networking, learning to manage a digital profile and a new etiquette when it comes to approaching recruiters.
Online Applications Flood Inboxes (And Get Ignored)
One major change we see on the recruiter side is that its easier than ever to apply for a job. Features like the Linkedin one-click application can turn a job search into impulse shopping, which means that everyone applies for everything — which means that almost every application gets ignored.
At the Hired Guns we see the majority of job candidates spending a fraction of their time on networking and most of their time skimming job boards, applying to anything that might even remotely be a fit. This is a mistake.
Eighty percent of all jobs are landed via networking
Step back and reconsider how you’ll be divvying up your time. Sending out resumes en masse seems productive, but you need to be honest with yourself, separating the busy work from the effective work.
While your competition conducts their job hunts on auto-pilot through the interwebs, we urge you to counter-program your search and focus on making real connections.
How “28 Days To a New Job” Works
The Hired Guns has prepared a straight-forward step-by-step guide to conducting a professional job search. Over the course of 28+ posts, we’ll be covering getting prepared for a job search, the mechanics of applying for jobs, handling job interviews, and working your way through the hiring process. We’ll include tips on creating a knockout resume, the five secrets to successful job interviews, how to negotiate salary and benefits, and most important, how to avoid the common mistakes that can derail even the best candidates.
Sounds fun, right?
Your First Task
To get started, this is your first homework assignment:
- Go to Linkedin (create an account if you don’t have one) and open the Jobs Tab.
- Set a timer for 45 minutes – we recommend using your phone timer or an desktop app like Pomodoro to keep focused.
- Scan the boards for jobs that interest you. Don’t start applying — you’re not ready yet. For now, just open your horizons to the opportunities that are out there.
- Type in titles of jobs, names of companies and locations to get a sense of what the job market looks like.
Note: If you still have time left after skimming through Linkedin, try other job boards like Indeed.com and Monster.com. If you are in a specialized field, check out the dedicated boards for your discipline: Dice.com for technology, Mediabistro.com for creatives, etc. If you don’t know which boards cover your area, just search Google for your current job title. For example, “Direct Marketing Manager Jobs.”
This is enough to get you started. It’s easy to get overwhelmed or stressed out when thinking about finding a new job. So, give yourself a break.
What’s Next
Next, we’ll ask you three questions to help you decide if you’re really ready to look for a new job.
28 Days to a New Job is a month-long Hired Guns course designed to help you maximize your competitiveness in the current job market. Learn the secrets to getting a job from hiring managers, recruiters, negotiation experts and more. Read our our introductory post here. Or Subscribe Now to receive 28 Days to a New Job as a daily email.
