Lessons for a jobseeker

Looking for work can be very stressful. A typical jobseeker will go from interview to interview, applying for jobs and trying to impress people, and when an opportunity ends in disappointment, it can be a bitter pill to swallow.

However, there are a few important lessons about the world of employment that will hopefully keep bad job seeking experiences to a minimum and help you find the job you want.

Make your resume relevant

Your resume is the first thing that an employer will see, so take the time to get it right. Employers have an average of twenty seconds to look over most resumes, so it is important that this time is maximised to your advantage. Most importantly, doctor your resume to emphasise your qualities or experience that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. When submitting online resumes, it’s thoughtful to put the name of the company you are applying to in the document title. It creates the suggestion that you’ve assembled that resume for that specific job, which results in a favourable first impression. It also makes you seem passionate about that job, which employers like.

Flood the market

The best way to get yourself in a position to find work is to have your name in front of as many employers as possible. That means you just need to throw your hat into any ring that opens up. Even if you don’t feel like you are qualified enough for something, give it a go anyway – there is no harm in trying.

The key to this is application over time. You may send twenty job applications in a day, but the key to giving yourself the best chance is to get up the next day and find twenty more applications to make. If you make being a jobseeker the equivalent of your current job, and commit to it as you would a job, multiple avenues will open up for you.

Sell yourself

It may not come as the easiest thing in the world to some people, but it’s important to know how to present yourself best. To get a job, you need to make employers see what you bring to the table, and the way to do that is to emphasise your qualities. This simply means being aware of your positive (and potentially negative) attributes and work habits. Find a way to show potential employers those positive traits and it will get their attention.

Prepare well for interviews

Knowing yourself and the job you’re applying for are important. Do your research on the company and what they do and also, crucially, the exact role you are applying for entails, so you can show awareness of, or demonstrate, relevant skills. This is your face-to-face opportunity to impress someone, so you’ve got to grab it with both hands. Be informed, be knowledgeable, and most importantly have something up your sleeve going in that’s going to make you stand out. Employers interview multiple candidates a day – make them remember you.

Be persistent

If you don’t hear back quickly from a potential employer, it can be worth calling or contacting someone within the company (preferably the person handling applications if you can) and asking if there’s been any progress. It shows a desire on your part to get a job with that employer, and it shows that you are proactive and driven in terms of getting things done. These are qualities most employers value pretty highly. Plus, if you have someone on the phone directly, it is an opportunity to start impressing them with your conversation skills.

Don’t lose faith

Jobseeking is not the easiest path to tread, and it can be very easy after a couple of disappointments to lose heart and mentally give up. However, ultimately finding a job and getting back into meaningful work will justify the hard yards that goes into it. It is important to keep a positive outlook and to keep in mind the ultimate goal of what you are doing. If you commit to the process and stay positive, you will eventually come out successful.

If you follow these pieces of advice, you give yourself the best chance of finding yourself in the job that you want. Good luck!