As we all know, the search for jobs can be a long and winding road full of stress and obstacles. First you have to write a note-perfect resume and cover letter or you’re out of the running from the start. Then you have to actually find the jobs and apply for them, which, given the high numbers of application databases and job-search sites, is no easy feat. Since it tends to be an arduous process, some people tend to just throw as many resumes as they can at as many jobs as they can, hoping one sticks. But there are problems with that route, and we can help you avoid them. Here are five tips to streamline your job search and avoid any nasty surprises.
1. Read every listing carefully. We know what you’re thinking: “I’m applying to dozens of jobs. No way can I read every word of every post!” But think again. The point here is to make the job search as painless as possible, both for you and for the people reading the applications. If a listing says “Candidate must have a B.S. in nuclear physics” and you took a physics class your freshman year of college, your resume will never get off the ground. Make sure you have all the necessary requirements, and perhaps more importantly, make sure you follow the application instructions to the letter. Some companies want resume and cover letter converted to a PDF; some ask that you include your name in the subject of your email. Don’t waste your time or other people’s by ignoring these crucial elements.
2. Develop a finely-tuned BS sensor. Not to put too fine a point on it, a good chunk of the jobs out there are baloney. Several large marketing companies rely on desperate job-seekers to take positions they never would have if they had known what they were getting into, and often harass them and their families if they don’t reach the inane goals the company sets. Know what you’re getting into, and only get into what you know.
3. Try new search terms. Everyone’s been in the desperate straits that lead a person to the second or third page of the Google results, and it’s no fun. If all the links are staring back at you with a shade of purple that seems somehow to mock you, close your browser and brainstorm. Rather than searching for “IT jobs,” try “tech support jobs.” If you’re looking for a sales and marketing position, try searching “brand consultant” instead of “sales rep.” Chances are that each new search term will yield a whole new batch of results.
4. Change up your search style. Rather than searching for all the jobs available in your field, go to a few of your favorite companies’ websites and see what positions are open there. Who knows—maybe Google needs a resident baker, and maybe Apple has been looking everywhere for a marine biologist! You’ll never know until you check.
Armed with these tips, you’re sure to turn the job search around and find that position you’ve been looking for. So shake out your typin’ hands and get searching! You never know what you might find.