How To Conduct A Successful Job Search In Just Six Steps

It can be daunting to look for a new job. Whether the reason is due to a lay-off or a desire to do something new, there are some action steps you can take that will guarantee your success in reaching your goal.

1. The first step is to put on paper what you are looking for in your next job. It's not enough to say that you want more money. As a matter of fact, human resources studies have shown that many other things make for a satisfying work environment including health benefits, vacation time, opportunities for advancement, good working relationships and other non-monetary benefits.. So, write down everything you would like in your next role including commuting time or location, industry type, corporate culture, etc.

2. The next step is to review your resume if you have one. If you don't have one, then you will need to get an up to date resume completed before you can continue with the next steps.. If you do have a resume but it's outdated, then you'll need to revamp it.. For this step, you will need to make sure that your resume includes information that matches the type of job you're seeking.. In other words, it needs to be targeted. So for example, if you're thinking that you would like to get into a sales position and up until now, you've only ever worked as a customer service representative, you will need to ensure that your resume contains information about how your customer service skills can be parlayed into a sales representative role. As an example, you will need to include information on how you've increased sales by up-selling clients to other products, identified client needs and filled those needs with products or services..

3. The third step is to arrange for a few career alerts to arrive in your email inbox.. This can be done with a job search engine website called Indeed.. This job search engine website can run searches in many countries around the world and in almost every city in those countries.. This job search engine will pull jobs from every company website and job board for the city and job "key words" you've selected. You can set the program to send you job opportunities each week or even every day.. You can then submit your resume online for those jobs..

4. The fourth step is to identify companies you're interested in and contact them.. These are companies that may not necessarily be advertising any openings at the moment. Eventually, those companies will have a position open that may be perfect for you.. If, by chance, you can meet with the hiring manager of the team you've interested in working for before the job opening is published on the internet, you may get lucky and land the job.. The best part of this strategy is that you can virtually eliminate any job competition.. It's much easier and less expensive to interview and hire one person then to advertise a job opening, sift through thousands of resumes, interview dozens of candidates and then put out an offer.

5. The fifth step is to brush up on your interviewing skills. See if you can talk a friend or family member into a role play with you. Have your interview helper ask you a half a dozen to a dozen questions and practice answering them until you feel confident..

6. The sixth and final step is to relax. It can take time to land the right job for you. It may take several weeks or several months. But, just because a couple of days have gone by without hearing back on a resume you've submitted or an interview you've completed, doesn't mean you should assume you've lost the opportunity. Keep positive and keep looking, eventually you'll find the right fit.