Job searching is hard work. You have to find the right job – the best fit for your personality, skill set and career ambitions. Jumping from job to job isn’t good form and makes you seem incompetent and noncommittal to future employers. You want to make sure the job you commit to is the right one. Here are five ways to improve your job search so you’ll love your career.
Find a good match
Make sure you’re looking for jobs in the right industry and for the right type of position. If you’re not even sure where to start, try taking a career quiz or getting some career coaching to get you on the right track. Search your pastimes and hobbies – are their jobs that would incorporate some of those passions? Have they helped you develop any transferrable skills that might translate into a job? The more you find out about what kinds of jobs are out there, the more confident you’ll be when you’ve found the right one.
Use your networking skills
Don’t settle for simply sending in your resume and filling out a job application. Take it a step further by using your connections to see what kinds of “ins” you might have at the company. Search your friends and colleagues on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and other networking sites to gather some insight and general information about the company. They might even be able to provide you a referral for the job. Use the company’s social media pages and website to do even more research. The more you know about the company, the more prepared you’ll be to make a decision.
Interview the company
That’s right – the company is interviewing you, but you should simultaneously be interviewing them. When they offer you the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview, ask some! If you’re still investigating the company or you’re not sure, ask to meet your future boss and colleagues. And don’t hesitate to ask for more time to consider a job offer before you accept it.
Explore the company culture
The culture of a company makes a huge impact on whether you’re happy at work. The job itself might be a perfect fit and pay really well, but if you don’t fit in, it might not be worth it. Learn about the company’s structure, how formal or casual it is, and whether there are opportunities for advancement. Look at reviews on Glassdoor or ask people you know who’ve worked there for their opinions.
Make sure the job is a good fit
Once you’re sure about the company, take a good look at the job offer. What will you be doing? Is that within your skill set? Will you be happy? Think about what your work-life balance – is there travel involved? Long hours? Then consider the salary and benefits.
For more tips on navigating your job search, contact Pridestaff Thousand Oaks today.
