Successful job candidates have used different methods to help them get jobs in the past and of course, we always want to know what they are. You know what they say, “New year, new job application strategies.” Read on to discover the best strategies you can use to land a new job this year.
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For those looking for new job opportunities, the job search process today is completely different from how our parents and grandparents used to do it. It is more than simply walking into an office with your CV or applying for a job and waiting for an interview. The current job market has become more cut-throat and network-driven. In order to be a successful candidate, you need to use different job application strategies to stand out from other applicants.
Here are 5 job application strategies you should use in 2022 to get you noticed by employers and recruiters.
1. Establish your career goals
Successful job candidates have used different methods to help them get jobs in the past and of course, we always want to know what they are. You know what they say, “New year, new job application strategies.” Read on to discover the best strategies you can use to land a new job this year.
One of the best job application strategies that will help your job search process is having some career goals in mind. These goals will give you something to aim towards with the search and help you narrow down your options. Examples of career goals include a job title, job satisfaction, or salary amount. Determine what matters most to you in your desired job and this will guide you when looking for new career opportunities.
Sit down and think about where you see yourself professionally in 5-10 years. Next, find out the experiences and skills required to get to that point in your career. This will help you go for relevant roles that will get you to that level instead of just applying for any job out there.
2. Conduct targeted research on companies within your industry
Before applying for any job, it is important to research the position and the company first. The information you get will help you with salary negotiation, interview prep and customizing your application for the role. Find out the company’s background information, this may include the company culture, their services, or products, and the latest developments.
Find out about any challenges, changes, and trends in your relevant industry and how these will affect the job. This will help you wow the employer if it comes up during an interview. As you do your research, make sure to also look up the average salary for that role in the industry based on your years of experience.
Make a list of employers or companies you want to work for and research them. You may find they have various available positions. Go back to your list of career goals and weigh your options to determine which role aligns with what you want in terms of work-life balance, salary, and so on.
If they don’t have any open positions, you can be proactive and use LinkedIn to find your way in by striking up a conversation with department heads. This brings me to my next job application strategy.
3. Good old networking
We are lucky that technology has allowed us to be able to job search in the comfort of our own homes as long as we have a strong internet connection. However, one of the most tried and true job application strategies that you can leverage is networking. Job sites are very helpful but not all companies post their vacancies on these platforms. This is why it is beneficial to reach out and connect with professionals on LinkedIn within your industry who can help you in your career.
Networking in person or online is a great strategy for finding a job. Connecting with other professionals widens your network and allows you to meet people who can help you with your job search. Attend networking events within your industry and don’t be shy to mention you are looking for work.
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4. Maximize your online presence
How is your online presence looking? By that, I mean Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Most people are still of the mindset that social media is for personal use but today that couldn’t be further from the case. Employers and hiring managers use social media to search for job candidates and you can also use these platforms to find open roles. Most companies have business pages on social media and will post vacancies there. So if there’s a company you are keen on working for, it is always good to follow their social media pages to keep an eye on what they are up to and what they post.
Another thing to consider is what comes up on Google when an employer searches for your name. Ensure future employers can find you online by creating profiles on professional networking sites like LinkedIn. Optimize your LinkedIn profile so that your contacts can see what you are about and reach out to you with information on job vacancies.
These profiles will rank highly on search engines and give contacts, employers, and recruiters a positive, professional impression of you as a strong job candidate. Ranking well online is an effective job application strategy to help increase your chances of finding a job in 2022.
5. Present yourself creatively
Presentation is everything, whether it is through your appearance, your online presence, your CV, or your cover letter. Hiring recruiters and employers have been seeing the same cover letters and hearing the same lines over the years. Bringing something fresh to the table is a good way to catch their attention as an effective job application strategy.
Let’s start with your CV. The more impressive it is, the higher your chances of getting an interview. Avoid going overboard in terms of creativity to maintain a professional tone and so your CV remains ATS-compliant. Include links to portfolios of your relevant work and your LinkedIn profile, so employers can learn more about your experience. You can use the Fuzu CV creator to help you develop and customize your CV for each role you apply for. Make sure you also highlight your relevant strengths and skills for specific roles.
You have heard it said a million times that you shouldn’t use the same cover letter for every job application. Yes, it may sound like a tempting time-saver, but it does nothing to help you get the job. Customize each cover letter to suit the company and the role you are applying for.
You can stand out with your cover letter by imagining you are having a conversation with the hiring manager. Convince them why you are the right person for the job without sounding like a robot in your letter. Let your personality shine through.
This also applies to the interview. Make yourself memorable to the recruiter while maintaining a sense of courtesy and professionalism. It helps to prepare for the interview by practicing with common interview questions and even a few unconventional or behavioral ones. This will keep you from getting flustered during the interview and it will boost your confidence level.
Conclusion
The job search process is often a difficult and lengthy one that takes an average of 5 months from the day you send in your first application. This means you have to be proactive and strategic about it in order to achieve results. Set time aside every day to work on your job search and send out applications, it can be an hour or two depending on what your schedule looks like. Set reminders to follow up with each application as well so you can track your progress. Sometimes this can make all the difference in whether you get the job.
Lastly, another effective job application strategy to employ is to let your passion be your guide throughout the process. If there is one thing the pandemic has taught us, it’s that life is too short to do something you don’t love. Determine what your purpose is and let this direct your career. Look for a job that falls within that spectrum and you may be a bit more motivated while sending out those job applications.
