Looking to land your dream job, but not sure where to start?
We don’t blame you – job hunt is far from easy. You need to:
Find the jobs that are a perfect match for your skills.
Edit your resume to perfection.
Write that pesky cover letter.
Answer all those interview questions.
And that’s just the start.
If all that feels overwhelming for you, you’re not the only one. A lot of people consider job-search to be a scary, daunting process.
But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be. The main reason people consider job search to be hard is that they don’t really understand it too well. After all, job searching is a skill on its own.
If you know the ins and outs of resume creation, job interviews, and all other pieces of the process, you’ll see that the job-search process is actually very easy!
This brings us to this guide. We wanted to create the most comprehensive guide to job hunt in the world, something that can turn a job search newbie into an expert in no time! And, well, hope we succeeded!
In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to:
Write an Irresistible Resume (That’s Also ATS-Friendly)
Create a Convincing Cover Letter (That Doesn’t Look Like a Copy-Paste)
Ace the Upcoming Interview (Even If You’re an Introvert)
And more!
But first, let’s start with the basics:
What Does Job Hunting Mean?
Job hunting, job seeking, or job searching is the process of looking for employment, whether it’s because of unemployment, dissatisfaction with the current role, or any other reason.
The job hunt process usually looks something like this:
Define your career goals. What kind of role are you looking for? Do you want to stick with your current field, or make a career switch?
Create a resume. Write a resume that’s easy to read, concise, and convincing.
Pick job boards you want to use. There are dozens of job boards in just about any country. Pick the ones you want to use.
Apply Rationally. When applying for jobs, don’t spray and pray. Instead, apply specifically for the companies and positions you’re a good fit for.
Research companies you want to apply for. Don’t just blindly apply for positions – research the role and the company and see if they’re a good fit for you.
Write a tailored cover letter. Don’t just use a copy-paste cover letter template. Explain to the recruiter why you’re a good fit for the role AND for the company.
Tailor your resume to the role. Don’t just submit the same resume to every position. Tailor it based on what skills and experiences each employer is looking for.
Ace the interview. Memorize the common interview questions, practice, and ace the interview.
And most importantly, get hired!
In this article, we’re going to cover each of these steps one-by-one, starting with #1!
Pro Tip:
And no, job search isn’t something you do in one evening. You don’t just decide to look for a job on Monday, submit 2-3 applications, get a call for an interview, and land the job.
We wish it was that easy!
In fact, the average job search process can take up to 5 months from the day you submit your first application, to the day you get hired.
What this means is that you should be looking for your new position proactively and on-the-go. You should submit 5-10 relevant applications every day, 5 days a week.
Step #1. Define Your Career Goals
Before you even get started with the job hunt, you need to decide on your exact career goals.
When thinking about your career goals, think about it strategically.
First, define where you want to be in 5-10 years. Do you want to be in a management position or a more senior role?
Then, define what kind of skills and experiences you’d need in order to get hired for that position.
Finally, look for the positions that are likely to give you the skills and experiences to get you to that level.
Some other things to consider at this stage are:
Are you applying for a similar position to what you have now?
Are you completely switching careers? In that case, you might want to learn how to make a career change resume.
Where do you want to be in 5 years’ time? How is the job you want to apply for going to help you get there?
Are you applying for a role more senior than your experience level? Do you have the skills for it?
Pro Tip:
Are you a recent graduate, not sure of what career path is the right for you?
Just go for whatever feels right, and try it on for a year. You’re not getting married to your first job or career choice. You can always switch if you don’t like it!