Job hunting is one of the worst parts of life. We put a lot of ambition into making sure our resume is flawless, filling out seemingly endless numbers of applications, and most of the time we hear nothing back. Then, on the few occasions; we do get an interview, that’s even more work putting on a nice suit and competing against many others for the same job.
It’s not an easy or fun process. You have to be 100% on your game or you’ll lose out on an employment opportunity. Going into it haphazardly or unprepared won’t bode well for you. The competition for many key jobs, especially if you worked many years to earn a degree, can be maddening. Thankfully, we have several tips to help give you the edge.
1) Be Patient
Understanding this is often a lengthy process will help you get through it. Be patient. Let the process work itself out. Sadly, a lot of people give up after two weeks when it can take several months from application to your first day on the job. Not giving up is in your best interest. In that time, you’ll have to keep your affairs in order.
2) Don’t Give Up If You Didn’t Get the Job
Okay, so you did get a letter or an email detailing that the position has been filled. You might feel a great deal of disappointment, but don’t give up! Sometimes that employee doesn’t work out or another opening will take place. According to statistics, 54% of bosses will look back at previous applicants. If you were second place, there’s a good chance you’ll get the next phone call if there’s a need.
3) Offer More than Your Resume
A lot of people just throw down their one-page resume. No, you shouldn’t go to two pages, but you should put more effort into presenting your case. Do you have a cover letter? Written recommendations? What about a portfolio and/or a social media page relating to what you do? 53% of employers say a resume isn’t enough, so put in the extra work to make everything look nice. Sell the whole package.
4) Become a Full-Time Job Finder
Do you really want a job? Seriously, do you really want it? The number of hours the average person spends looking for a job is 11 hours per week. That’s it! They expect the process to work for them rather than putting in the extra effort to put work into the process. Put in as many hours finding a job that you would working that job during the week.
5) Provide More than Just Skillset
So, you went to college and got a degree. That’s great! But so did everyone else who’s applying for the job. That’s not nearly enough to make you stand out. 63% of employers look for other intangibles in a person’s character beyond just the skills they want to hire you for. They want to know that the person they hire has great character, is honest, works hard, is dependable and is on time.
6) Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate
If you’re an entry-level worker, you might not have much room to negotiate. But if you have great skills, an awesome character, and a bunch of experience behind you, you can negotiate if the first offer is too low. You might think that’s counterintuitive, but employers want great talent and will take the extra step to sign you on if they feel you’re the one they want. They may even give a lowball offer, thinking someone will take it, when they are willing to pay more.
