5 top tips for getting the most out of your job searches

Are you tired of putting hours into a job search that never yields results?

For the countless number of job seekers who don’t receive any feedback, the time spent applying for a job can seem like a complete waste. The problem is that recruiters and hiring managers simply don’t have enough resources to respond to every application.

Whilst this can be extremely frustrating for those trying to crack their way into the job market, it shouldn’t be cause to give up completely. Instead, you need to alter the way you approach your job hunt. For most people, a job opportunity is simply a call to throw their CV or LinkedIn profile in the direction of employers. But this isn’t going to get you noticed amongst thousands of similarly minded candidates.

Rather than copying from a template CV every time you apply for a job, you need to demonstrate why you are the perfect fit for each specific role.

This can be a daunting task, but in the long run, you are likely to achieve much more positive results.

Perfect Your Personal Profile

Often, your personal profile is the first thing a recruiter will read when glancing over your CV. It gives them a brief summary of your main attributes, as well as an insight into your temperament and interests. Whether you are uploading your CV to a job site or setting up a social media profile, you need to think carefully about what you are writing in them.

Stating that you are a ‘keen and diligent’ worker is great, but do any of your previous jobs or responsibilities actually reflect this? If you are simply spewing buzzwords you have seen in the profiles of others, then yours is unlikely to be consistent. Work out exactly what your main strengths have been in past employment and focus on these.

Know Your Keywords

Most of the time, recruiters find your profile using keyword matches. If their search terms are included in your CV, then you are more likely to hear back from them. Although you can never be completely sure what recruiters are searching for, there are recurrent words that tend to crop up far more than others.

“Written communication” and “problem-solving skills” are in big demand amongst employers, so it is a good idea to reference these in your CV or social media profile. Words that are specific to your industry can also be of use, especially if they show your ability to operate certain equipment or software.

Refine Your Parameters

Most job boards or search engines will come with advanced filter settings that allow you to tailor your search more precisely. Making the most of this feature is important because it means you will have to scroll through far fewer pages to find suitable job listings.

If you are looking for a career in PR, for example, then there is going to be a whole stream of employment opportunities out there. But there may only be a few that are a good match for your experience and needs. Using search filters will help place these adverts towards the top of the pile. There are also job boards out there that specialise in specific industries and are perfect for candidates who want to work in a particular niche.

Do Your Research

Whilst you may expect a potential employer to be the one researching your job history, there’s no excuse for you not to research the company culture and news of any place where you might be likely to work. Before you apply to an advert, check out the company website and get to know how they communicate with their clients and employees.

Employment is a two-way street and you should feel comfortable working for your employer. Doing your homework will also help you prepare for any potential interviews, as you will be able to reference specific company ethics when questioned. Employers love to ask why you chose their company and it’s a good idea to have a definitive answer.

Connect On Social Media

Asides from an about me page on their website, companies will usually be on at least a couple of social media platforms. Even smaller businesses will look to promote their services online and you can usually get a better sense of what a company is looking for by analysing how they choose to present themselves online. For the most part, businesses will use Twitter or Facebook as their main line of communication, along with LinkedIn for recruitment.

Getting involved online in order to network with employers can be a great way of introducing yourself before you apply for a role in their company. If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile, then set one up, as around 79% of recruiters who operate online have sourced candidates from the site. Don’t be afraid to leave insightful comments on Facebook and Twitter either, as the more exposure you give yourself, the more likely it is that you’ll make an impression.

Ron Stewart has worked in the recruitment industry for thirty years, having owned companies in the IT, Construction and Medical sectors.