Preparing for the job search takes a certain kind of mindset. Knowing you’re in it for the long haul can sometimes be a frustrating prospect, but the sooner you’re prepared for the specific elements you’ll need to succeed, the odds that your prospects will grow as a result are good.
One idea you’ll need to remember no matter what is that the job search is unpredictable. Some applicants have expected months-long waits only to receive an offer from one of the first applications they send out. Other candidates have believed they’d be in a new position in a week, only to wait for months before rejoining the workforce. Being open to anything in your job search is the best mindset you can possibly put yourself into, as it will allow you to roll with the punches better than in any other situation. The journey could involve almost anything, but having an open mind will only lead to the search becoming less stressful.
You shouldn’t pour all of your time solely into your resume, either. The news source said that in many cases, job seekers put the horse before the cart and try to make the “perfect” resume without realizing the subjective nature of the resume itself. Resumes are less a make-or-break document and more of a glimpse into your career and work history. If the grammar is perfect and the organization is flawless, that’s one thing, but it won’t make up for boring job descriptions or gaps in work history. Instead, focus on making it a good representative of your career up to this point, giving the reader intricate knowledge into exactly what they need to know to hire you over the competition.
Make yourself visible
Business News Daily added that visibility is key in a number of industries, and building up a reputation has little odds of failure. There are a number of ways you can boost your public image, ranging from writing articles for publications or blogs (made easier by a recent LinkedIn update, which allows you to write articles visible by the entire community) to taking on leadership roles with local associations or nonprofit organizations. With the rise of the Internet, there are a number of online opportunities floating around too, ranging from online discussions to webinars and podcasts that can often be directly tied into your field or industry. By expanding your visibility, you’ll give hiring managers increased confidence in your ability to excel in a variety of positions.
It’s also necessary to assess the strength of your network. Surprisingly, networking isn’t everything in the job search, despite what many people think. While it’s definitely a good indicator of which industries and companies are doing well or poorly at any given time, job opportunities can be discovered almost anywhere, and as a result there’s no reason to double down with just networking efforts only. Reach out to companies that have advertised openings or even sending an email if you think you can help them solve a problem. Volunteering can also help open your mind toward new elements of production that can help you out greatly.
Above all else, be open for anything. Business News Daily noted that in many cases – if you’re open to relocating for a job, for instance – more hiring managers will likely be interested. Taking other steps like looking into parallel or even completely different industries can only help you, as you’ll both be able to assess your happiness in your current career and see what new tasks you’d be willing to take on.