Four Tactics That Will Help You Land The Right Job
As a job seeker, you may be aware that right now the odds of landing a new position are in your favor. There are currently more jobs available than candidates to fill them which gives some potential candidates more opportunities to be selective with available listings, and more opportunities to negotiate with hiring managers.
However, there are other candidates who are still having a difficult time landing a new job. While many industries have an abundance of open spots, others may not be in the same position. In the past year, some industries have downsized, created hybrid positions to fill multiple roles, or just haven’t experienced enough growth opportunities for hiring.
If you’re finding it difficult to find new opportunities in your industry, don’t give up! We’ve compiled this list of job search tips that will help you land the right job.
1. Create Unique Cover Letters for Each Listing
As a current job seeker, you know how important your resume is. An easy-to-read and well-organized resume is a great way to earn consideration for an available position. While many articles with job search tips focus on the resume, it’s only one tool in your job-seeking toolbox. Cover letters are also crucial for catching the eyes of hiring managers. If you’re not using cover letters to introduce yourself to employers and give them a snapshot of your skills and personality, then we suggest correcting that oversight ASAP. If you are already using cover letters to complement your resume, there’s a way you can make them even better.
Most applicants take the “form letter” approach to their cover letters. They simply swap out the company name and job title in the key areas and that’s it. The rest of the letter has the same language. To make your cover letter strategy more effective, you should create an original cover letter for each listing. Do some research about the company to find out information about their clients, unique pain points, goals, etc. Then demonstrate, with specific examples, how you and your skills can:
benefit their clients,
reduce their pain points,
achieve their goals.
Putting in that extra effort to make your cover letter more customized to the company will make inroads with hiring managers.
2. Don’t Worry About Being Overqualified
Do you think you’re overqualified for the currently available positions in your industry? Are you worried that hiring managers will have the same thoughts and pass on your application? While these two concerns are realistic, they also may be preventing you from landing great opportunities.
Be honest if you feel that you may be overqualified for a position. Then use that honesty to convince the hiring manager that your over qualifications are an advantage. Use your cover letter to explain that your experience and knowledge means less time and money will be spent on the onboarding and training processes. Explain how you can use your skillset to provide coverage to other positions and departments. Then, close the deal by saying you can act as a mentor for young professionals to help them gain the experience and knowledge that will benefit the entire company.
3. Look Outside Your Industry
Still not having much luck finding job opportunities in your industry? Then it may be time to look in new directions. While changing industries may seem like a challenge, it may be exactly what you need to find the right new position.
Instead of focusing on the industry specifically, focus on your skills and knowledge instead. For example, professionals who previously managed a team in one industry can easily transfer their management skills and knowledge to a new, different industry. While the business and setting may be different, the skills needed to manage an effective team remain the same. You may have to learn some new industry-specific skills, but you already have the foundational skills to succeed.
4. Be Flexible
The workplace has evolved greatly over the past year. Many experienced office dwellers found themselves working from their spare rooms at home. Just as many split their time between on-site offices and home offices. And some professionals never left the workplace.
Right now, many companies are offering their own unique workplace models. To connect with these companies, you need to be flexible with those models. If you’re a professional who has also worked on-site, you may need to consider applying to positions that are completely remote. If remote work appeals to you, but all available positions are in-office positions only, don’t let those opportunities pass you by. You can also inquire about remote work possibilities during your interview or in the future during reviews.
We hope these job search tips will help you in your journey. If you need a helping hand landing a new opportunity, the team at Elite Personnel is here for you – we don’t need you to do multiple cover letters – we take care of that ourselves when we introduce you to a great client of ours! Contact our recruiting experts today for help finding the new job that’s right for you!