Top Job Search Tips, Job Search Advice

10 Tips for a Successful Job Search

It’s not enough to have great work experience, a great sales pitch, and a killer power suit. When you’re looking for a new career, much of the heavy lifting happens long before you even make it to the interview—it happens during the job search. Having the right tools and approach can make all the difference, which is why we’ve put together our top ten job search tips for you here.

1. Get a LinkedIn Account
If you don’t have one already, sign up for an account on LinkedIn.com. Create your profile and invite your friends to connect with you. Once you get started, you’ll be able to view your friend’s connections, and see who knows someone at that amazing PR firm you’ve been dying to apply to. LinkedIn also hosts job lists, and makes it easy to apply right from your account.

2. Make Use of other Social Networking Sites Too
While LinkedIn is a social networking site built specifically for business networking and job searching, don’t forget about other social networking outlets during your job search. Use Facebook, MySpace, and any other sites you may be on to connect with old colleagues and high school friends who may have a lead on a job in your field.

3. Clean up Your Online Profile First
Take down any questionable photos, videos or posts you’ve got floating around on MySpace, Facebook, or Twitter. If a potential employer happens to google you and finds something they don’t like, you can kiss your chances of an interview goodbye. Don’t forget to set up a professional email too if you don’t have one—hotcubsfan@hotmail.com doesn’t look so great on a resume or on an email.

3. Attend Alumni Events and Job Fairs
Any HR professional will tell you that face-to-face networking is still a great way to get job leads. Watch for any kind of event—alumni get-togethers, professional conferences, job fairs—that bring together colleagues in your industry. These are great opportunities to network and make contacts. Make sure you grab business cards and contact info at these events, and follow up with leads or potential employers with a phone call or email afterwards.

4. Polish your resume
Now’s the time to update your resume. If you’re going to be emailing it to potential employers, convert your Microsoft Word file to a PDF to preserve your formatting. If you’re going to be taking it to alumni events, job fairs, and other face-to-face networking opportunities, pick up some nice bond paper or letterhead and print out copies. For more advice, check out our top ten tips for resumes and cover letters.

5. Do Your Research
As you’re looking for jobs and sending out introductory emails, make sure you do your homework first. Everyone has a website nowadays, so go out and look up the companies you’re applying to. Know their mission, their products, their major accounts and their clients. Being able to demonstrate your knowledge—whether you’re cold calling an HR department or mingling with a company vice president at a cocktail party—will really help you stand out from the competition.

6. Update your references
Get in touch with your references if you haven’t spoken with them in awhile. Let them know you’re starting a job hunt, and ask if they’re still comfortable acting as a reference for you. Also, make sure they haven’t moved or that their contact info hasn’t changed. If your references are from several jobs back, add someone more current into the mix.

7. Ask Lots of Questions
If you’re speaking with a lead or potential employer, ask lots of questions. The more you can find out about the company and a possible position, the more you can discern whether or not the job is right for you. (And finding a job that’s a good fit will save you from starting another job search 9-12 months down the road.) Plus, asking questions will show your contact that you’re interested in the company, and not just selling yourself.

8. Be Honest
In today’s world, anyone can Google you and find out a lot: your work history, where you live, how you scored in your neighborhood’s annual dodgeball tournament. So now more than ever, be honest on your resume and in conversations. If you exaggerate or outright lie about your experience, any recruiter or employer who does his or her homework will be able to tell.

9. Know your limits
As you map out the job you want and the companies you want to work for, also consider the lifestyle you want. Are you ok with traveling, working long hours, and working weekends? Are you looking for something with flexible scheduling, less stress, and a chance to give back to the community? Think hard about what you want, what you don’t want, and where you’re willing to compromise.

10. Educate Yourself
If you’re in-between jobs, or looking to start a new career path, use this time to seek certification or additional education that will boost your experience (and your resume). Having an up-to-date skill set will not only impress future employers, but it will show them that you’re motivated and a self-starter.