With the world of hiring recently transitioning into a ‘job seeker’s market,’ the fact is that you may have a higher chance than ever before of landing your dream job.
It may have been a while since you last updated your resume and got yourself interview-ready – but not to worry, these best practices should help you stand out from the competition and land that perfect position.
1. Dust off your LinkedIn and update your online presence
If it’s been a while since you were in the job market, it may be time to scrutinize your online presence. A good place to start is to Google yourself and see what comes up.
Generally, one of the top hits will be your LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have one yet, it’s definitely time to catch up! As more companies hire for remote positions and shift to online interviews, this will be one of the critical components of your applicant profile – in many cases, even more important than your resume.
Make sure your profile is fully updated with work history, volunteer experience, certifications, and, ideally, recommendations from peers, former employers, and coworkers. Have a good quality, professional photo and a well-written profile summary that outlines both what you’re looking for and what you have to offer. Highlight your skills and especially proficiency with technologies that have gained prominence in remote work, such as Zoom, Slack, Asana, and other mobile work management platforms.
Don’t forget to follow the companies you’re eyeing for future job opportunities, and pay attention to the skills that their current employees display on their profiles. Chances are, these are similar to what the organizations will want to see on your profile too.
Beyond LinkedIn, don’t forget to check your other social media accounts for anything that may be detrimental to your job search.
2. Network, network, network!
Another critical space LinkedIn can help you in is networking.
As in-person networking has become tremendously more difficult since the pandemic, using your online presence is even more important than before. Use your connections to expand your network – especially if you can connect to people who work at the organization you have your sights on. While they may not be the hiring manager, they may have insight into the company culture and other factors that matter when it comes to joining a new company.
Having an active presence can go a long way. Like, share, and engage with articles and posts that are relevant to your field. Job alerts can be a beneficial tool for finding a match for your skills. This goes beyond LinkedIn – Twitter and other social media platforms can bring unexpected offerings, so expand your network and be active wherever possible.
Even as in-person networking events are slowly coming back, it may help to keep an eye on virtual networking events and digital meetups that offer the same opportunity – especially if you’re looking for remote work. Engage in conversation with people who may be able to help you, and stay in touch even if they may not be the right fit for you now. You never know what the future holds!
3. Use spare time to engage in volunteer work
If you find yourself with some spare time on your hands – whether you have some time between jobs or are finishing a degree – it may be the perfect time to consider volunteering.
Whether you’re looking to pursue a new career path or want to buff up your resume, volunteer work can help add to your work experience and offer you a competitive edge over others.
If you decide to participate in voluntary work, make sure to add it to your LinkedIn profile and resume.
Things to keep in mind
Just because this is a good time for applicants doesn’t mean you need to move if you’re happy where you are. You can always keep an eye out for new opportunities without rushing into giving your two weeks notice.
More importantly, do make the most of the market. If you’re looking for remote work, be sure that it is a fully remote position and not something that could change in a month’s time as more people return to the office. If you’re interested in a four-day workweek, make that clear from the start. As flexibility is becoming the norm, communicating your priorities can help you find the perfect job.