A year ago today, “A Job Seeker’s Guide” was conceived. With over 500 page visitors, 80 enrollments and a 4.8 course rating, the fruits of my labour are paying off.
To celebrate this glorious one year, click here to access my course for free.
Practice Online Interviewing
8. Practice your online interviewing
“For the perfect job interview, stop believing in LUCK! And start believing in YOURSELF!”
So, you have applied to every possible job opening that you are a match for - but your work just doesn’t stop there.
While you wait for a response from the employer or hiring agency, you need to prep yourself on your interviewing skills.
You could sit in front of a mirror and record yourself. Practice the generic questions that are usually asked at an interview. Build your confidence.
Keep watching your recordings and see where best you could adjust and refine your answers, your posture, your gestures, etc.
This exercise will definitely help you at a real-time interview because you will find yourself less nervous and more prepared.
Work on Your Elevator Pitch
7. Work on your elevator pitch
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” - Albert Einstein
What you need is some good attention-grabbing sentences to be able to sell yourself, irrespective of where you are - could be at a job fair, a networking event or even in an elevator!
Put in that extra effort and time into compiling a 1-2 minutes speech that includes your specific skills set and why you would be the perfect fit for that company. Make sure that this speech creates an impactful impression as well.
An elevator pitch always comes in handy when you are networking. Or you just happen to hear of a job opening through word of mouth and you approach these people in person.
Put Yourself Out There
6. Network and put yourself out there
“The richest people in the world look for and build networks, everyone else looks for work” - Robert Kiyosaki
Networking can take you places. Meeting the right people can help tremendously when it comes to acquiring a job. All you need to do is tap the right window.
Job hunting through websites or job portals is just not enough anymore. You need to connect with people, network, engage, socialize - this definitely helps!
You need to spread the word out there, that you are available for employment opportunities. Pass the word around onto friends, relatives, your connections, ex-colleagues, your network, etc.
Luck might just happen to knock on your door, as there could be a friend or a connection out there who could be looking for a new employee.
Any Job Can Be Good Experience
5. Choose to temp or even part-time, if you have to.
“You have a part-time job. And that’s better than no job at all”. - Dan Quayle
Yes!
We are a whole lot of desperate right now and it is just human to be so.
Keeping your options open to working either in a temporary role or a part-time position, just broadens your perspectives even more. Sometimes these temp positions could be your ticket to finding your dream job.
You could be missing out on a lot of opportunities if you keep targeting only full-time employment. It could be difficult for some, but just see what best suits your circumstances.
This is definitely a great opportunity to build your work experience in different industries.
Keep Your Opportunities Open
4. Keep your job hunting opportunities open
“If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just get on.” - Sheryl Sandberg
Job hunting has become a daunting task in itself especially when you never find the job that you are looking for.
Before the pandemic, job seekers could pick and choose their dream job. But now, we need to keep an open mind and be ready to apply for whatever is out there. Just take what you get! It might not work all the time, but there is always HOPE!
You need to apply for jobs even if you don’t meet all of the requirements, but be careful to read the job descriptions well. There are some employers that might consider the applicant, given the current situation.
Adjusting Your Resume/Application
3. Adjusting your resume/application
“If you call failures experiments, you can put them in your #resume and claim them as achievements". - Mason Cooley
You need to adjust your resume, your cover letter and your application every time you apply for a job.
It should be tailored to meet the job description and the company that you are applying for. This could mean minor adjustments like your skills and experiences. Just make sure that these relate to the job you are applying for.
Your resume should always reflect the keywords and phrases that are used in the job description.
You should be able to tweak or adjust your resume at any time so that it becomes easier for you to keep it updated.
