The dos and don’ts of job searching

Job searching is nothing but the pursuit of employment. It can feel like a daunting task as it requires a lot of time and effort to find the job that is best suited for you. There are certain things you should keep in mind while looking for a job to get a fruitful outcome. Whether you’re looking for your first job or want to advance your career, it is critical to know about certain dos and don’ts of job searching to ensure you find the right job for yourself. The article provides a compiled list of certain dos and don’ts of job searching and some crucial things you should consider while looking for a job.

Some of the crucial dos and don’ts of job searching 

Below are certain essential dos and don’ts of job searching that can help you land a job successfully:

Do: Have a professional online presence

Before you start your job search, it is important to set up a professional online presence on professional networking sites like LinkedIn and other job search portals. Be sure to have a complete LinkedIn profile highlighting your educational background, skills, strengths and experiences. It would help potential employers have a better idea about your skills and strengths.

DON’T: Focus solely on online applications

Although online applications are the most convenient way to look for employment, they can also be easily overlooked. So, do not focus solely on online job applications to find suitable employment opportunities. Instead, employ a variety of job-search strategies, such as networking, career fairs, job boards, and recruitment agencies.

DO: Expand your network

Networking is one of the most effective ways to find various job opportunities. Expand your network by reaching out to professional and personal contacts, attending career fairs, connecting with professionals from similar job roles of your preference and alumni networks. Networking can help you with your job search because you never know who might know of a job opportunity that is a right fit for you.

DON’T: Rely solely on networking opportunities

Although networking is an effective way of getting leads on job opportunities, do not solely rely on networking opportunities. Focus on implementing various job searching methods like using job portals, applying for jobs online, using social media, checking out job opportunities in newspapers and reaching out to recruitment agencies. Using various different methods would help you to find numerous job opportunities, and you will have a plethora of choices to choose the one that best suits your career goals and objectives.

DO: Customize your resume

It is important to customize and tailor your resume according to the job application. Make sure that your resume is unique and stands out by emphasizing the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job role you’re applying for. The cover letter should also be tailored accordingly to demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the role and how your skills and experience match the job description.

DON’T: Use a generic resume

Every job opportunity has a specific requirement, so using a generic resume will almost certainly result in your application being rejected. You should not use a generic resume and cover letter to apply for different employment opportunities because they would lack uniqueness and will be tossed aside. Always tailor your resume and cover letter according to the job opportunity you are applying for to make sure your application stands out.

DO: Prepare for interviews

It is important to prepare before appearing for interviews. Conduct thorough research of the company you are interviewing with and go through the job description carefully to understand the role better. Look at common interview questions and practice answering them confidently. You can also prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the company and the position.

DON’T: Show up unprepared for interviews

It is crucial that you do not show up unprepared for an interview, as it is a sure way to sabotage your chances of getting the job. Make sure that you prepare well and do your research on the company and the position, and practice answering common interview questions.

Important things to keep in mind while searching for a job

Below are a few essential things that you should be aware of while looking for a job:

Company values and history: When conducting a job search, it is important to compare your values to the company’s mission statement, core values, and business model to check if it aligns with your goals. Although it is not possible to predict the future, learning about a company’s history and values can provide valuable insight into its stability, core values, and culture and help you determine whether the job role is suited for you or not.

Responsibilities of the role: You need to have a clear understanding of the job responsibilities while looking for a job so that you can choose one that aligns with your skills, strengths and interests. Go through the job description carefully during the job search and understand the responsibilities of the role properly before applying for the role.

Salary packages and benefits: Check out and compare the salary packages and benefits offered by various companies for your preferred role during a job search. It will help you have a better idea of which organizations are providing the best salary packages and benefits. Look for benefits like health insurance, retirement saving plans, etc., before choosing a potential employer. Also, conduct thorough research on the salary range for your preferred job role to have a better idea about the market range and negotiate your salary accordingly.

Opportunities for advancement: While looking for a job it is important to check the opportunities for advancement that companies can offer. Jobs that offer opportunities for growth are especially important for individuals in the early stages of their careers as they can help them gain experience and exposure. If you are more advanced in your career, look for job opportunities that can help you to learn new transferable skills, advance to a senior position, or achieve larger career goals.

Work culture and environment: While looking for a job, it is absolutely crucial to have a clear idea of the work culture and environment to know if it is compatible with your working style and personality. Consider whether you would prefer to work in a small or large corporation. Check the company’s workspaces and connect with professionals from the company to have a better idea about the working environment and culture.

Conclusion

In conclusion, job searching can be a challenging process as it requires a lot of time and effort, but it is not impossible. Follow the dos and don’ts discussed in the article carefully to increase your chances of success. Keep in mind the important factors while looking for a job to find the job opportunity that is the perfect fit for you. Online Manipal is one of the ideal platforms that allows you to pursue UGC-entitled online degrees from prestigious institutes and universities like Manipal University Jaipur, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and T.A. Pai Management institute. The degrees are UGC-entitled and have an industry-oriented curriculum. Online Manipal also makes students’ job search easier through placement assistance.