5 Tips to Supercharge Your Job Search ⚡
Is it time for a change of pace in your career? Maybe you’ve been daydreaming about working somewhere else. Maybe you’ve been checked out at work and can’t wait until the clock strikes 5 so you can go home. Or maybe you feel stressed and on edge during the workday, and aren’t sure how much longer you can continue feeling like this.
Many folks feel antsy and ready for a job change in the fall. Coincidentally, early autumn marks a sweet spot for job seekers—hiring managers and recruiters are back in the office after the summer, and the distractions of winter holidays are yet to come. It's a great time of year to position yourself for a career shift, and if you play your cards right, you could land a new job by the new year.
⚡ Keep reading for 5 things you can do to supercharge your job search this September. ⚡
1. Take Stock of the Present: Reflect on Your Achievements 🪩
Before you embark on a job search, it's crucial to understand your starting point. Take some time to reflect on your current job by asking yourself the following questions and writing down the answers:
What have I accomplished in this role?
What metrics can I gather that highlight my efforts in this role?
What obstacles have I overcome in this role?
How have I grown in this role?
What skills have I obtained in this role?
Who of my colleagues could be a reference or advocate in my job search?
Documenting these achievements boosts your confidence for your job search, helps you to understand your professional brand better, and serves as valuable content to review later when preparing for job interviews.
2. Define Your Future Target: Identify Your Ideal Next Role 🎯
The next step is to define your destination. This creates a framework for your search, helping you tailor your efforts toward specific roles within specific organizations.
What industry would you like to work in? What type of work do you envision yourself doing? Identify several specific job titles that align with the work you would like to be doing. Unless you are making a career pivot, the industry and role shouldn’t vary much from what you’re currently doing for work.
Alongside job titles, identify 10-15 employers within your chosen industry that you admire and would love to work for. As you’re creating this list, you may consider factors such as each employer's location, employee culture, and values. Follow your ideal employers on Linkedin and set job alerts so you can stay on top of current job openings.
It's common for job seekers to skip this step, but it's vital for a focused job search. Without a clear target, you might scatter your efforts and become overwhelmed.
3. Update Your Professional Brand: Revamp Your LinkedIn 👩🏽💻
It’s 2023 - if you’re in a professional field, then your online presence is a crucial part of your job search strategy. Take some time to audit your LinkedIn profile and ensure it includes the following:
A high-quality, well-lit profile picture that reflects your current appearance and portrays you in a professional way
A compelling headline that includes your target job title, key skills, and a value proposition that shares what you do best
An up-to-date summary in the “About” section with your latest professional accomplishments and achievements
Your LinkedIn Headline and About section are both searchable, so weaving in keywords from your desired industry and role will help recruiters find your profile when they search for candidates.
You may also take time to review and update all other sections of your LinkedIn to make sure they are up-to-date and accurate.
Once your LinkedIn looks good, turn on the "open to work" feature and allow recruiters to find you. You can set this feature to “recruiters only” so only folks using LinkedIn on recruiter mode can find your profile.
4. Activate Your Network: Build Meaningful Connections 🫱🏼🫲🏿
In my experience coaching jobseekers, networking is one of the most impactful, yet overlooked activities in a job search. Often, job openings are never publicly listed, so making personal connections with folks who work with or for your target employers is crucial if you want to be the first to hear when roles you qualify for become available.
Let your friends and family know you are open to new work opportunities. Tell them exactly what roles and employers they’re targeting so they can keep their eye out for connections, and ask them if they know anyone who is affiliated with your target employers. You might be surprised who people know, and how willing they are to lend a helping hand.
Expand your network by meeting, in person or virtually, with at least one person a week who either works in your desired industry or even better, works for one of your target employers. Your goal for these meetings is to establish a personal connection, gather valuable information, and find out how you might help or support them in their career - not to solicit a job! You can be open about your career transition goals, but no need to send them your resume. When the time comes to apply for a job, you can reach out to them to ask if they’d be willing to act as a referral.
5. Work with a Career Counselor: Get Support to Get Hired Faster 🙋🏼♀️
Navigating a job search can be mentally and emotionally taxing. Investing in career coaching or career counseling can help you streamline your efforts and focus on activities that yield the most impact.
In my career counseling practice, I help clients with the following:
Identifying their transferable skills so they can successfully pivot to a different industry
Assessing personality, career values, and career interests to ensure their next job is a better fit for them
Targeting the roles and employers that make the most sense for their current
Updating their LinkedIn profile so recruiters reach out to them
Rewriting their resume to improve it’s
Building a strategic professional network that brings job opportunities to them
In addition to the tactical elements of job search strategy, career counseling can provide a non-judgemental, safe space to process all of the emotions that come along with a job search and to hold you accountable for reaching your career goals.
Are you ready to supercharge your job search?
Wondering if career counseling can support you in your job search? Click here to book a free 15-20 minute consultation call to discuss your career goals and how we can work together to help you achieve them. I’d love to help you land a new job for the new year.
About the Author
Hi! I’m Dominique Dove. I’m a Certified Career Counselor, Licensed Therapist, and the owner of Dove Counseling and Consulting, LLC, a private practice based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I provide therapy and career coaching to professionals who feel stuck in their careers. I would be honored to help you build a career that helps you thrive both professionally and personally. Want to work together? You can learn more about my services here.