3 ways to search for and land a job in 2021
The working world has changed radically in the last year. If your job was destroyed by COVID or if you’re just looking for something different, you can be comforted that your job search options are limitless.
Build Your Side Hustle While You Look for Full Time
The first place to start is by posting your basic resume on Indeed. While there, you can make sure you start the application process on full-time jobs that appeal to your strengths training and interest. Be certain to also check out the freelance options listed. Even if you don’t find full-time employment right away, a freelance gig can;
– get your brain fired up
– help your bank account
– reduce isolation
– boost your self-esteem
– bring in cash
As your side hustle gets moving, you may find that you can supplement it with part-time work and have more flexibility in your schedule.
Carefully Review the Job Description
Study the job description for positions in your industry and pull out the keywords. Do they need a flexible problem-solver? This may tickle your personal puzzle mania, but if they need someone who can stay late and you have a family, this may be a bust. If you read the reviews of the company and there seems to be a lot of chaos in the pods, make sure you list your collaborative abilities and put special emphasis on soft skills.
Be ready to produce several different resumes by swapping around text on the original document to promote what a great fit you are for the latest organisation you’re applying for. A cover letter may or may not be appropriate; some companies actually request that you don’t include one as cover letters with too much colour saturation turn into huge chunks of data in their portal. Instead, put the most powerful words from your cover letter in your “about me” section.
Create Real Connection
You don’t have to bring donuts to a job interview, but you do want to be early and make a good impression overall. Do your best to be charming and pleasant to everyone you see as you approach the office and wait for your appointment. Yes, you’re nervous. However, to an observer, nervous can look a lot like uptight, and uptight people are not fun to talk to. Be flexible and have a bit of fun with your interviewer, the receptionist or anyone else you talk to.
Finally, send a hand-written thank you card after your interview. Collect cards from everyone you talk to and jot down some notes as soon as you leave the building. Sit down the day of your meeting and hand-write out a note thanking your interviewers for their time and let them know that you hope to see them again soon.
Strive to build a resume and presentation style that will give hiring professionals the chance to lean back and relax. This has been a stressful time for everyone up and down the job chain. Be the applicant that makes interviewers smile.
