Career Experts Share Their Top Tips For Job Hunting

Career Experts Share Their Top Tips For Job Hunting In today’s dog-eat-dog world, where the competition is high and the stakes are even higher, landing a decent, well-paying job may be the only thing that would keep you afloat. But we all know that it is easier said than done. Job hunting is a job in itself. However, knowing how to optimize your search for a job can really do wonders in terms of results and even in terms of stress management. The typical process of job hunting looks something like this: apply for as many jobs as you can put your resume up on networking websites like LinkedIn prepare for and try to ace any interview that comes your way sit back and wait for a call from a potential employer As important as all these steps are in helping you secure a job, they lack a certain edge that you will actually need in today’s ever-so-competitive job market. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t mean that you should abandon this approach altogether. It simply means that you have to supplement these efforts with additional things that will make you seem extremely appealing to prospective employers. Here are some tips from people who made it big in the job market: Find Your Niche , COO and VP of Hunter Construction, Pompano Beach, Florida, says that finding your niche is probably the most important tip for job hunting. Some people know exactly what they want to do and what they expect from their jobs. But not everyone can be so sure (or so lucky). For some, finding one’s forte can turn out to be quite the challenge. But according to Rosenof, once you do, job hunting can become a walk in the park! Migrate Your Skill Set It is not unheard of to consider multiple career choices while job hunting, says an article on the Porter and Chester Institute website. However, Michael Neece, the Chief Strategy Officer at PongoResume, said in an interview, “It’s also possible to rejuvenate your career prospects by changing departments rather than changing employers or industries.” Though career change may be a good option for some people, others may not be able to afford it. With the right career guidance, it is possible to hone your skills and apply for jobs in other departments rather than to switch jobs or careers altogether. This way you don’t have to start from scratch, you don’t lose time and you don’t have to take a course in something completely new. Take Social Networking Seriously Rick Joers, formerly the VP (Human Resources) at JP Morgan, found himself unemployed at the age of 58. With a limited pool of career opportunities, Joers said that he had never had to actively search for employment before and so this time he felt like he had to start from scratch. Realizing that his professional network was tapped out, he turned to LinkedIn. “I met a lot of people through LinkedIn and talked to them about moving into technology,” says Joers. He ended up finding a woman who used to be a consultant for JP Morgan on LinkedIn. He wrote to her to let her know he was applying for a position in her company. “Since she was the most influential decision maker, it was helpful to have someone who knew me.” Joers is now a Technical Partner at Royal Bank of Scotland. Don’t Let the Job Hunt Pull You Down Kevin Skinner, a Doctor of Psychology, says that when you lose your job, you tend to question your own identity. But it is important not to allow these layoffs to get in your way. Skinner proposes that the best way to prevent this from happening is to focus on finding solutions rather than beating yourself up or feeling guilty about losing your job. We all know how stressful job hunting can become. Making an important career choice can also sometimes mean taking a step backing and focusing on your physical and emotional health. Exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and keeping a good sleep schedule are some obvious things that everyone can do. However, some things that you probably didn’t know you should be doing are: Finding volunteer work in your community â€" doing something productive will give you a sense of purpose in life and will help you feel valued. Avoid binge eating and drinking excessively â€" self-pity only leads to self-destruction! Limit your exposure to television and internet â€" sitting passively while soaking in negative information is not the best way to go about getting back on your feet. Optimizing your job search means having to consider all the factors and not just the physical act of job hunting. Considering multiple options, finding your place, being mentally prepared for a career change and of course, taking good care o your health will definitely contribute to a better and more fruitful job search. About me: Im Ray, a Career councilor. With 15 years of experience under my belt. I always keep myself updated with all the latest job opportunities careers. I like to write in my spare and share whenever I have something new and interesting to talk about.