Before you look for a new job, you need to define what you’re aiming at.
Photo credit: freepik
It's quite a headache to look for a new job and in this part of the world, you need to be determined. With an unemployment rate of above 25%, you need to play your cards right and employ the best strategies so that you can win.
Secondly, there is a lot of mental and physical preparation that goes into looking for a new job because of the effort it requires to secure that enviable opportunity. The preparation is what we’re going to cover in the following article.
Know what you want
In the movie Shang Chi, an old Chinese lady told Katy that if you aim at nothing, you will hit it 100% of the time. Before you apply for a new job, you need to define what you’re aiming at. Do you want better pay, are you looking to move careers or even shift industries?
Have you also thought about the physical location where you will be working? How many hours does this new job demand you put in daily and are you flexible enough to adapt to that if you get that role?
You cannot forget work-life balance. How will this new job affect your time with your family and friends? Then think about the long-term implications of the role. Are there opportunities for you to grow to become an authority in that particular field?
Is the career going to be obsolete or is it only starting to grow? For example, data science is one of the emerging trends in the career world and is estimated to grow exponentially because of the ever-expanding tech industry.
At the same time, you need to consider your skills, competencies, and qualifications. Do you have the necessary qualifications for that opportunity you’re seeking? If not, how do you close the skills gap so that you can achieve that position?
When you have defined what you want, this will save you a lot of time and unnecessary effort applying for opportunities without success.
Update your CV
Always remember to keep your CV updated and in detail. Don’t leave out your current role. And if you’re not working, you can talk about volunteer work and taking courses to fill up the time you were not working.
If that is a hard task for you, Fuzu's got you covered with the all-new CV Creator. The CV Creator incorporates all your qualifications, skills, work experience, and other details into a beautifully designed compact document.
Don’t forget to tailor that CV and the cover letter to fit the needs of every specific job. Include all the important details and keywords that the job posting is demanding for. Leave out irrelevant information that could jeopardize your chances of being noticed. It’s tasking but it’s worth every effort.
Seek advice
Professional advice from certified career coaches will go a long way in your search for a new job. A career coach has enough experience and expertise to evaluate your current position and advise you on the opportunities that you should go for.
Additionally, a coach will also point out mistakes and flaws that could cost you and cause recruiters to ignore you. They will prepare you for job interviews and recommend courses that will ensure that you’re well equipped for the opportunities that are ahead of you.
Resilience as you look for a new job
You can’t give up till you land your dream job. Most of the time it’s not a smooth ride because there are recruiters who never respond even with a regret. Keep on sending applications. Put in the work. Send a unique cover letter that will make you stand out. Always be on the lookout for jobs by regularly checking the jobs posted on Fuzu.
Set your mind that you’re only going to stop when you get the job you’re looking for. Belinda, a Network and Systems guru, was in her previous company for more than six years and she felt it was time to leave. She started applying for jobs thinking that her work experience would help her as she looks for a new job faster.
The reality shocked her because out of ten applications nine would be rejected. The ones that called her for an interview offered less than what she was earning in her job. But she never gave up. She says she sent job applications for not less than one year before she found her best fit at the company of her dreams. Currently, she is four months in and she loves it because they gave her better terms than her previous job by far.
Don’t lose heart even if it takes time, they say good things come to those who wait.
Go for networking events regularly
Martin, a finance professional, had been out of a job for two years. He even started pursuing a Master's degree to keep him occupied during the time that he wasn’t working. One day he was invited by a friend to a networking event on a Saturday. His friend informed him that the event would take the whole day, therefore he should cancel whatever plans he had.
Though a little bit skeptical, he obliged and attended the event. He met different business leaders from various companies. Out of those interactions, he got invited for two interviews. After successfully acing both interviews the next week he chose the company that offered him a role in Talent Management.
That kick-started his four-year-old career in Human Resource and Talent Management. Due to his prowess and maturity in the field, different companies keep enticing him with offers so that he can go and work for them.
Be on the lookout for networking events because you could meet your potential employer. Networking helps you build crucial relationships which could open doors for your career. See these 10 questions to ask during networking.
Look for a new job with confidence
Apply for your dream job with confidence even if you have a few qualifications to match up to the requirements of the job. Sometimes employers don’t mind training motivated individuals who learn quickly.
In your CV you only need to prove that you can adapt and learn fast. Align your goals to the vision of the company and your dream employer might just contact you and give you the opportunity.
Learn how to follow up with recruiters
Communicate with hiring managers if you have been invited for an interview. Send them a text thanking them for the interview and meeting other people who work for that company. If you don’t get a response from them in a week, follow up with an email or a call. Here’s how you can follow up after a job interview.
Conclusion
Don’t tire. Keep on pushing hard. Look for a new job with resilience. It is on the horizon awaiting you. Only be determined and play your cards right. I leave you with the words of Jennifer Lawrence who plays the character Kate Dibiasky in the movie Don’t Look Up. As the film ends she says “I’m grateful I tried.”
