Thinking of charting a new course or finally nailing down that dream job? Congratulations. As you head out on one of the most exciting hunting adventures of your life, give yourself every advantage by being equipped to win.
Just as in any trade, a jobseeker should have a toolkit to help them along the way. Here are a few things you should pack into your personal job seeker toolkit to prep yourself for success—and a new job.
Direction and vision
Before you head out anywhere, you should have some sense of where you’re going. Determine your career direction to weed out the thousands of jobs that will try to divert you from your course—and tailor your resume and cover letter accordingly. Is your compass set to dream job? Good. Let’s go.
A network
Developing a strategic
LinkedIn network in advance is a great move for your present and future job search. Having a solid network, including contacts in your companies of interest, gives you a way to get your resume into the right hands, with the benefit of an in-house referral.
Personalized resume and cover letter
Does your resume and cover letter have a track record of being passed over with a yawn and barely a glance? Ditch the ordinary and expected by lending your personality and voice to any outgoing communications. Avoid corporate jargon that is nothing more than proof that you copy and pasted from that sample you found online. Breathe some vibrant life into your
resume and cover letter.
Market research
Know your value as you head out into the great unknown so you can have intelligent conversations when the time comes. Know what the median salary is for your chosen career, and how your skills and experience justify every penny.
Familiarizing yourself with the companies you’re interested in will show that you care, and want more than a paycheck—you want a career that fits you just as you fit it.
Solid examples of success
You know the dreaded question will come. How have you demonstrated X in the past for other employers? Don’t be left floundering for an answer. You, savvy job seeker, will answer with poise and confidence, because
you’re prepared—and certainly know the value you’ve provided, and what you will continue to provide.
Self-knowledge
Know your strengths and how best to present them to align with the job you want. You might not have all the technical skills, but what you lack in those areas can often be more than made up for with the right soft skills. As the wise old sage said, know thyself.
Recruiter
A recruiter on hand can be your best friend through the job seeking process. Along with lending an ear to your job hunt experiences and woes, they’ll keep their eyes peeled on the next great thing for you.
Reference list
Take printed lists of your references with you when you head out to interviews. It streamlines the back and forth, shows that you are eager to move forward in the process, and are confident that
your references will sing your praise.
Notepad and pens
In the digital age, it’s easy to forget the basics. Do keep writing equipment handy during an interview, just in case. Pulling out your phone during an interview (even if to take notes) is never a great idea.
A mentor or friend
They’re a phone call or coffee date away. And they can help encourage you and call to mind your assets. Whether you need to vent, share a success story, cry, or give yourself a good, old-fashioned face palm, a friend is always there for you—cheering you on, or face-palming with you.
Stickability
This might be one of the most important soft skills you can have during this time. The job search might take time—but the key to your success is sticking with it. Some call it tenacity. Some call it perseverance. Whatever you call it, remember this. A baby will never learn to walk if they give up after the first or hundredth fall. Keep going. Keep searching.
Success will soon be yours.
Armed with the tools you need for success, go forth, savvy job seeker, to discover your true calling and your dream.
Ready to find your dream job? Let CyberCoders help.
