6 Tips to Shorten Your Next Job Search

Many executives don’t have to look for a new job very often. So if it’s been several years since you last conducted a job search, things could have changed drastically. Review your resume thoroughly as your first step, just to make sure your resume is formatted properly and doesn’t have any mistakes. Some job seekers are still surprised it takes them so long to find a job. Here are some tips to consider when conducting your next job search.

Target Effectively

Before even writing an effective resume, you have some homework to do. You need to target the industry or specific employer you want to send a resume to. Your resume has to demonstrate a certain amount of value you bring to the table, so if you don’t know what a company needs, you won’t be able to show your value clearly. Target a handful of companies and research them thoroughly, including each job description, so you know exactly what they need. The hiring manager will be able to identify how serious you are about the position based on the information in your resume.

Focus On Your Personal Brand

A quality resume will only get you so far. Your personal brand is an essential component when it comes to getting hired. You have to assume hiring managers are going to Google search your name, so it’s highly recommended for you to do the same and see what the results show. Clean up anything you don’t want to be visible to ensure your online presence reflects who you are as a person.

Be Specific About What You Want

When you are unemployed, it’s easy to become desperate and just want the next job that comes along. But it’s important for you to take a little time to think about what you really want in your next job. Think about your past experience, what value you bring to the table, and what you actually want to do. There may be some aspects that are non-negotiable, so be sure to identify those in your thought process. Just remember to be realistic in this regard so you don’t eliminate yourself from too many potential jobs. Once you know exactly what you want out of a job, you can start writing an effective resume geared toward it.

Set Realistic Goals

If you’re unemployed and looking for a job, it’s usually unrealistic to think you can spend eight hours per day on a job search. Burnout is just as real with a job search as it is with jobs themselves, so consider designating a couple of hours each day to work hard at it. This can involve visiting a professional resume writing service, attending a networking event, tweaking your social media profiles, writing content on LinkedIn, and more. Setting realistic goals will help you prevent burnout and keep you motivated.

Don’t Stop Networking

Too many professionals make the mistake of spending a significant amount of time applying for jobs through job boards. While jobs are plentiful on there, the chances of you getting hired through one are slim. Many job openings are filled through networking rather than through traditional channels. So instead, spend your time networking with other professionals through participating in networking events or LinkedIn. You never know whom you might meet at these events, so always be sure to bring your best. The majority of senior-level positions aren’t going to be posted online, so networking is your best option for tapping into the hidden job market and landing a job quicker.

Get Professional Advice For Your Resume

You don’t want to waste any time sending out resumes with mistakes on them. After spending a lot of time writing an effective resume, even minor mistakes can hurt your chances of landing an interview. You could essentially be spinning your wheels with your job search and not even know it. Get ahead of any potential issues by working with a professional resume writing service upfront. They can help identify and fix any problems on your resume, tweak and proofread it thoroughly to ensure there are no mistakes damaging your efforts, and modernize it for today’s job searching landscape to make your time be spent more efficiently.

Fully Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn executive profile won’t help your job search if you don’t have the right amount of relevant keywords. Employers have a specific set of search terms they likely use to find qualified candidates, so ensure they are incorporated properly which is very valuable. The keywords themselves are important, but the location of the keywords is also an overlooked factor. SEO is a big part of LinkedIn, so focusing
on it as part of your LinkedIn profile development is critical.

Not too many people truly enjoy the time they spend searching for a new job. Sometimes you can’t control how long it takes an employer to hire a candidate, but you can take some steps to use your time more wisely and shorten the search process.