It’s no secret that the job market is competitive, and, in order to stand out from the other mid- and senior-level candidates in your industry, you need to have a well-executed strategy for a successful job search. This means more than just sending out resumes and waiting for a response. In order to be successful, you need to take more of a holistic approach to your job search. In this blog post, we will explore top tips on how to execute a successful job search in today’s competitive market!

Be Clear on Your Target + Your Value Offer

Generic resumes and applying to every available role are things of the past. One of the biggest mistakes job seekers can make in not knowing what they are looking for in their next role.

  • Be clear about what you want, what you don’t want, and why.
  • Identify who your target audience is: role, company / industry, culture.
  • Don’t post-and-pray your resume in hopes job boards are your ticket to your next role.

Bring Your Resume into This Century

The first step is to make sure your resume is up to par. Dusting off your existing resume takes more than ensuring your document is free of grammatical errors, typos, or anything else that could potentially turn off a potential employer. Today’s modern mid- and senior-level resumes are highly engaging, informative, and branded documents that show potential employers how your skills and experience make you the candidate for the role you are pursuing.

  • Generic resumes are a thing of the past.
  • Target your resume and use the top-fold to give the reader a snapshot of your unique value proposition (who you are and what you can do).
  • Connect the dots between your skills + experience and the employer’s needs.
  • Provide proof of value through value-rich statements + success stories.
  • Make your document easy to read through formatting, font, and color choices.

Next, Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

In addition to having a strong resume that touts your value, you also need to have a polished online presence that supports your career brand and strengthens the likelihood of being found. Your LinkedIn profile needs to (a) be a more personal presentation and (b) complement your resume and not repeat it.

  • Headline: You have 220 characters to convey your value proposition + target role.
  • About Section: You now have 2,600 characters to use in sharing who you are, your value offer, and a bird’s eye view of your professional career history + major success stories. Your narrative should be engaging and be value rich.
  • Profile Picture: Don’t overlook the power of your profile picture as 88% of business owners admit they are likely to dismiss a profile without a picture. It is important your photo is professional, friendly, and reinforces your brand message.
  • You need to be active on social media and fully leveraging the power of LinkedIn for networking and connecting with potential employers.

Be sure to include relevant keywords throughout your headline, about, and experience sections so that you can be easily found by recruiters.

Set Up Job Alerts

If you are currently employed and are proactively trying to find your next role, you can perform a search on Google Careers with your specific criteria; scroll down to the bottom of the page and click ‘Add’ an alert for this search and establish the frequency for alerts (daily, weekly, monthly); Click Save and keep an eye on your inbox.

Grow Your Network

For every online application submitted, there are numerous other applicants. Rather than relying on publicly advertised roles, spend time building a path to the ‘hidden job market’.

– Let your network know you are seeking a new role.

– Attend industry-related events.

– Connect with people in and out of your industry.

– Share your industry insights and ask people to share theirs.

The power of networking can help spare you hours of searching for your next role as you never know who might be able to help you land your dream job!

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to executing a successful job search in today’s competitive market. Good luck!