Let’s get real here. Beginning the hunt for a new job can be intimidating, and often the hardest part is getting started. That being said, having a game plan and knowing what to expect will help a lot. That’s why I’m sharing what you need to know before starting your job search.
Some important facts:
- Recruiters look at each resume for an average of six seconds each. That means you have six seconds to show that you are qualified and what you can bring to the table.
- On average, each corporate job opening attracts 250 resumes. Of these candidates, four to six will be called for an interview and only one will be offered the job.
- The average job search takes six to nine months.
The best way to overcome the statistics
What you need to know before starting your job search is that even though the statistics seem daunting, you can get around them and successfully find a job you’re happy with.
Surveys show that nearly 85% of employees have found or obtained their job via networking. With the number of applicants per position rising, it’s getting harder to obtain a position through blind applications. That’s why people are turning to those they know when searching for a job. It gives you an opportunity to get your resume in front of the right person without having to be one of the hundreds of online applicants.
The numbers don’t lie. According to studies done by Glass Door, referrals are associated with a 2.6 to 6.6 percent higher chance of an accepted job offer.
You can’t rely on your resume alone
Aside from understanding the market and what is happening when you apply for a position, what you need to know before starting a job search is that you absolutely cannot rely on your resume alone to get you a job.
People seem to think that a resume is the end-all-be-all, but as a certified professional resume writer, I can tell you that even though your resume is extremely important, it is not the only thing you should focus on. What else do you need to focus on? Your cover letter, your LinkedIn profile, your professional appearance, and your interview are all crucial factors of the job search. Treat yourself and these different factors as a brand. Do each one of these pieces add to and fit with your personal brand? If you’re presenting a cohesive personal brand, you’ll have a better chance of attracting the interest you want and landing a job that makes you happy.
How to take action
You can’t expect your resume to do the work for you. It’s up to you to do the research, put in the legwork, and cater your resume and cover letter to each job you’re applying for. If you don’t cater your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for, you will simply get passed over.
With the number of applicants increasing, many hiring managers and recruiters default to either using an applicant tracking system, or doing keyword searches to determine if candidates are qualified. Why? Because keyword searches are an easy way to determine it’s worth taking the time to look at a resume or not.
The best way to ensure that you come up on keyword searches is to go through the job descriptions that you’re interested in applying to and integrate those key words and phrases throughout your document. Do your desired job descriptions utilize key words or phrases which you can use in your resume? Does a job description have a more eloquent way of wording one of your job duties? If you’re not using current job postings to help you write your resume, you’re doing yourself a disservice. See how industry professionals talk about jobs and utilize that in your document. Using industry jargon will also help you appear more professional and knowledgeable about what you do.
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What you need to know before starting your job search is this: it won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it. Putting in the time and effort to find a job that makes you happy will pay off. As long as you know what you’re in for, keep everything in perspective, and highlight your accomplishments, you’ll be good to go!