Finding a job is hard work and requires unflagging dedication and determination. Unfortunately, the longer the process carries on, the more drained and exhausted we become. For most, the stress of not knowing when you’ll finally land a position only adds to the mountain of pressure you’re facing.
At times, you may become so overwhelmed that you wonder if you’ll be able to continue the search and finally reach your goal. In those moments, it’s important to take a step back, reevaluate your game plan, and focus on smaller wins in the longer process.
To help you regain your confidence and inch yourself closer toward landing your dream job, Heather Huhman, writing for Glassdoor, has identified steps that you can achieve every day this week to boost your hireability.
A 7-Day Plan to Get a Job
Click through for seven steps that you can take to boost your hireability and move you closer to landing your dream job, as identified by Heather Huhman, writing for Glassdoor.
Monday: Do Your Homework
Just as you expect hiring managers to study your resume before the interview takes place, hiring managers expect you to do your homework on the company and the job at hand.
Know what role the position plays in contributing to the company’s mission and vision (which you should also know). Find out what makes their brand different from the competition. Research the organization’s latest wins so that you can reference them during the interview.
In short, know your stuff.
Start your week off by researching the companies on your wishlist. Knowing where a company has been, where it’s going, and how you can help will not only impress hiring managers, but also give you a better idea of whether the job and organization are a good fit.
Tuesday: Revamp Your Resume
Some things on your resume will stay the same no matter what job you’re applying for, like your education, past work experience, and contact information, for instance. But, with 61 percent of employers wanting a resume that is customized for their open position, according to recent research by CareerBuilder, it’s crucial that you tailor your resume to fit the job you’re applying for.
That can be as simple as highlighting certain skills or accomplishments that are in line with the company’s job description. So, make the most of your Tuesday by customizing your resume to fit each job you’re planning to apply for.
Wednesday: Reconnect with Old Connections
There’s no telling which employers will ask for professional references, so it’s better to be safe than sorry and reconnect with anyone who can vouch for various skills and capabilities. Before beginning your job search, reach out to past co-workers, managers, professors — anyone you feel will have something valuable (and positive) to say about you to potential employers.
Set aside some time to reconnect with these people via email or a professional social network, like LinkedIn. Let them know that you’re planning to begin your search and ask if it’d be okay to list them as a reference — they’ll appreciate the heads up.
Thursday: Research Networking Opportunities
Don’t rely solely on job boards and social media to discover the latest jobs within your industry, as some jobs don’t ever make it online. Sometimes the best way to discover new job opportunities — especially those that aren’t advertised — is through networking events.
Take some time out of your Thursday to research upcoming industry events and networking opportunities for the week or month and mark them on your calendar. These can easily be found on local industry-related websites, professional associations or organizations’ web pages, or social media.
This takes all of 15 minutes and can help you form new professional relationships, learn about upcoming job opportunities, and give you a great opportunity to practice speaking about your background and skills.
Friday: Clean Up Your Online Presence
Before pressing “pause” on your job search for the weekend, spend some time cleaning up your social media profiles. Considering nearly half (48 percent) of hiring managers who screen candidates via social networks said they’ve found information that caused them not to hire a candidate, according to a recent survey by CareerBuilder, you can’t afford to let your social media profiles get messy.
So, what social media content turned employers off the most according to the survey?
- Provocative or inappropriate photos (46 percent)
- Information about candidate drinking or using drugs (40 percent)
- Candidate bad-mouthed previous company or fellow employees (34 percent)
- Poor communication skills (30 percent)
- Discriminatory comments related to race, religion, gender, etc. (29 percent)
Saturday: Go Shopping
A Saturday spent shopping sounds a lot more appealing than a Saturday spent job searching. But this shopping trip is designed to help boost your hireability by preparing you for networking events and job interviews (let’s hope for a lot of the latter).
To help you look the part, stock your closet with outfits that are appropriate for the line of work you’re interested in. Keep in mind that interview outfits should always be slightly nicer than your everyday office wear. When it comes to the job interview, professional garb will work in your favor.
Sunday: Set Your Goals for the Week
Start your week off on the right foot by setting aside some time on Sunday evening to set your job search goals for the week. Stick to the “small steps” method outlined in this slideshow and strive to get something small done each day to bring you closer to landing the job of your dreams.
Creating a list of job search “to-dos” will encourage you to stick to those goals, as well as help mentally prepare you for the week ahead.
