By Dorcas Karuana,
When job searching for a new role, the application and interview process can seem to drag on indefinitely. Maybe you were laid off recently, or need to get out of a crazy job situation. Perhaps you’re a fresh graduate or looking to change careers. Whatever your situation, job searching can be exhausting and at the same time get discouraging, especially if you’ve been on the job hunt for a while and not quickly finding a new position.
While some situations in your career life such as working in a job that did not use your key skills and knowledge, or a role without growth with the same company for long time or waiting too long for the perfect job can make it difficult to easily change jobs, focusing on the right things during the job search and interview process can make all the difference. Here is what to do to get back into the workforce faster.
1. Know your functional and industry options and employers’ needs in these areas.
Locate and identify job market great needs that you can fill. Search out emerging industries. Pinpoint your top three positioning career focused alternatives to what you’re now doing. Find the types of organizations that serve that market segment.
2. Apply for jobs that are a good fit
It can be tempting to apply for all kinds of jobs, even if they’re not a good fit. This is especially true if you’re unemployed or are looking to get out of a toxic work environment. However, this can hurt you more than you realize as you can end up in a position that is a bad fit or could cause a bad work experience or sidetrack your career path. It may also make it more difficult to be successful at your new place of employment. Instead of applying for anything that looks remotely related, get specific.
3. Tailor your CV and cover letter to every job.
You probably already know how important it is to revise your CV before you start your job search. It’s also important to tailor your CV and cover letter to each job application. Pay attention to critical responsibilities and duties in the job description, making sure your resume and cover letter include relevant keywords. This will help ensure that the ATS system, commonly used to identify suitable candidates in the recruitment process, will pick your application out of the pack. It will also show the hiring manager that you’re truly interested in the position.
4. Know your most marketable skills, competency, and relevant background.
Create a personal brand make sure you identify and use the things that make you unique and stand out. You will outshine your competitors. Think of how you can catch the attention of the employer that will hire you.
5. Learn how to get and do well in interviews.
Find three main strategies that will help expose you and penetrate the job market for the advertised and unadvertised jobs that exist. Once you have identified what you need to do it is important that you should continue to do them in a consistent way.
6. Research about the company to help you create information that offers a solution to employers needs.
Find out what challenges the company is facing and how the role you’re applying for will help toward finding a solution. This will allow you to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the employer and position in your application, as well as in your interview later on.
7. Know how to multiply your access to those who have the power to hire.
Networking can be a bit of a challenge. You may choose to building strategic relationships with people that may be in the position to hire you.
In conclusion, a professionally-run job search will get you there faster. It gives you defined direction and leverage to compare, negotiate, and deal from strength. Try to imagine the alternative; walking blindly in the dark at the mercy of fate, now do you see why it is not wise to take the trip alone. Enlist all the people you feel can help you begin to find a way how to make a living.
Dorcas is the head of recruitment at Corporate Manpower E.A. Email: dorcas(@)corporatemanpower.co.ke