1. Get Your Resume Ready
Your resume is the foundation of your employment search. If you haven't looked at your resume in decades, the first step in your job hunt should be a complete resume update.
Though you should adapt your CV for each job application, having an updated resume on hand makes it easy to change the information for each application.
Include current job dates on your CV, as well as any new roles, talents, or accomplishments you want hiring managers to be aware of. Check your contact information to ensure it is up to date as well.
2. Improve Your Profiles
You can expect that in today's digital era, one of the first things a hiring manager will do after examining your résumé is look you up online. You want people to be wowed by what they see.
Begin by keeping your social media profiles clean and professional. While they don't have to be completely business (after all, you have a life outside of work), you don't want anything insulting or incriminating there. Consider this: if you wouldn't want your grandmother to see it, you certainly don't want a recruiting manager to see it.
Instead of merely cleaning up your internet presence, look at methods to improve it. Could you perhaps update your LinkedIn profile with any more projects and samples of your work? Should you get references from prior coworkers? Is it worthwhile to create a personal website to showcase your abilities?
There are several things you can do, but the most important thing is to ensure that your internet reputation is something you are pleased of.
3. Check in with Your Network
"It's not what you know, that's who you know," as cliché as it may seem, is true. When it comes to hunting for a new job, your network may be a huge help.
You never know who your contacts are in contact with or who is aware of available opportunities that might be ideal for you. The more people you can rally behind you, the better. Reach out to a few individuals in your network to let them know you're looking for a new position.
Inform them precisely what you're searching for. Do you want to work in middle management? Do you have a preference towards particular industries? Do you need a remote? The more information you can provide, the better they will be at directing you to possibilities that could be a good match for you.
4. Select Your Favorites
The job hunt may be intimidating at times, thanks in part to the abundance of tools available. Should you search for employment via your network? Are you on LinkedIn? On one of the many employment boards available?
The best thing you can do, like with everything else, is to focus your efforts so that you may optimize your time. Begin by being clear about what you want.
For example, if you know you want a flexible or remote employment, you may spend the majority of your time studying a site like FlexJobs, which will only offer you opportunities that meet your requirements. You may also utilize FlexJobs' advanced search to narrow down your search to precisely what you're searching for—from ideal work schedule to career level.
Similarly, there are several specialty employment sites that exclusively publish certain roles—such as web development, healthcare, and media—that will help you cut through the chaff and locate what you're searching for.
5. Establish Some Objectives
Obviously, your main aim during your job search is to find a new employment. But that might take time, and it's easy to get disheartened if you don't see any progress toward your goal.
Make a job search strategy to help you keep on track and not lose sight of your objective. Do you wish to apply for a certain amount of jobs every week? Do you want to plan a certain number of informative interviews each month?
These modest milestones will keep you on track and responsible, while also providing plenty of opportunity to enjoy some minor victories. It's an excellent technique to keep your chin up when the job search becomes frustrating.