Top 5 Job Searching Tips to Get a Successful Job

1. Be So Fit It’s Obvious You Are The Perfect Fit

When applying for a job online, it is highly likely that an ATS or applicant tracking system will screen your resume first before it is submitted for review by humans (that is if you make the first cut). The first people to review your resume are often recruiters or people of a lower HR level - and who may or may not fully understand all the nuances of the job you are applying for.

Thus, it is advisable that you make your resume as simple as possible for both people and computers to quickly and easily connect their “Here is what we are looking for” with your “Here is what I can deliver if you hire me.”

Pro Tip

Take the time to study the job description and all available information about the position you are applying for. Ensure that your resume mirrors the phrases and words synonymous with the job description. Also, make sure that you showcase your strengths in areas which seem important to the role. Line it all up.

2. Do Not Limit Yourself to Online Applications Alone When Job Hunting

If you want your job search to last forever, then continue solely relying on submitting online applications. However, if you want to accelerate things, do not stop once you have applied for a position online. Take that opportunity to start looking for, and endearing yourself with people that work at the company you are considering. Schedule interviews with a couple of potential peers. Approach one or two internal recruiters and ask some questions. Get yourself in the radar of the people who can influence your chances of scoring an interview. (More on this here.)

Pro Tip

By aligning yourself with people working for the companies you want to work for, what you are doing is instantly setting yourself apart from the rest. Decision makers will often interview persons recommended or referred to them before sorting through the resumes arriving through the applicant tracking system.

3. Remember, Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile are Not Tattoos

Yes, you have a lovely resume, and your LinkedIn profile is just breathtaking. However, if both of them do not position you as a match for that role that you are gunning for, do not be afraid to modify the wording, switching around the key terms, and swapping a couple of bullet points. Your resume and LinkedIn profile aren’t tattoos. Treat them as breathing, living documents as you continue with your job search and throughout your career as well.

Pro Tip

If you are a clandestine job seeker, then remember to turn your activity LinkedIn broadcasts off - you can find this in settings and privacy- when making edits to your profile. If you are connected to your current boss or colleagues, they may get suspicious of all the changes your making.

4. You Can Never Bore Any Employer into Hiring You

Do not get me wrong - it is important that you come across as articulate, professional and polished throughout your search for a job. However, a lot of people interpret this as Must-Be-Boring.

Absolutely wrong! You have to realize that very few people will get hired because they memorized all the “right” interview questions, used incredibly common and safe phraseology (that is clichés), or had perfect white spaces on their cover letter. Such correctness will make you look non-genuine and staged. Instead, consider being both endearing and polished. Likable, memorable candidates are often the ones who go the extra mile. Travis Perkins have some good tips on job searches.

5. If You Are Not On LinkedIn, You Almost Do Not Exist

Considering that over 90% of recruiters are on LinkedIn and use it as their primary potential candidate’s search tool, the above statement isn’t an understatement. If you are a professional, you not only need to be on LinkedIn, but you also need to be using the platform to your benefit. Don't believe what I have to say? Okay. Let’s say tomorrow morning a potential recruiter visits LinkedIn in search for someone within your locality with the expertise in the field you are in, and you are not there? Who do you think they’ll find and contact? Yes, and that person is not you.

Pro Tip

If there is a social media tool/platform that you need to learn how to harness the power and capability it has to offer when it comes to job searching, it has to be LinkedIn. It is, by far, one of the best resourced available today when it comes to job and career search networking, positioning yourself to be easily found by recruiters with relevant job openings, and for finding persons that work at companies that you are interested in.