In this day and age it is a challenging task indeed to try and remain a relevant part of today’s twenty first century business world.
Owing to the fact that there is so much intense competition between companies they try their best to only pick on board those people who they think will be a true asset to the company and take their jobs very seriously.
If you are someone who is a graduate, fresh out of college or if you are someone seeking employment then you ought to go through this list in order to help you start your job search.
Best Ways to Kick Start your Job Search:
1. Be attentive to all that is happening around you:
One thing you need to remember before you embark upon the journey of job hunting is that always keep both your eyes as well as your ears open.
Chances are that if you are not attentive then a good job opportunity might slip through your fingers. Remember that in the business world only individuals who are quick and shrewd get ahead.
Those who are slow and not quick to react are left away behind in the rat race. However this certainly does not imply that you use negative means in order to get ahead in life.
2. Make sure you have all the necessary qualifications to back you:
The easiest way to kick start your job search is if you have all the right qualifications and credentials to back you up. Companies are always on the lookout for those individuals who have good theoretical knowledge.
However you must remember that a high educational qualification does not imply that you will be successful in your professional life. You must ensure that you are well aware of how you must take your theoretical knowledge and put it into practice.
It is often noticed the higher the qualification you have, the greater is your edge over other candidates.
3. Seek advice from family members and friends:
As you begin to search for a job and actually enter the big bad world, you will realize that the only people who really have your back are your friends as well as your family members.
It is often they who know you better than you know yourself, so that is why you should not shy away from sharing your feelings as well as anxieties with them.
They are bound to help and guide you along the way and if they by chance happen to know of any job openings available in any top organizations or companies they can notify you about the same.
4. Let go of your past experiences:
Job hunting is a tiring activity in itself and you should ensure that you do not have any additional burdens on your shoulder as this could really be a source of great tension to you.
You must try your best to let go of the negative past experiences which you might have had in your personal or your professional life.
It is only when you wipe the slate clean that you will be able to move ahead and achieve greater things in your life. It is up to you to take this first step and rid your mind of any kind of negativity that is getting you down.
5. Make sure you are focused:
Prior to job hunting you should mentally prepare yourself for what you are getting into.
Searching for a job in these times isn’t an easy task at all so you must ensure that you remain focused at all times so that nothing is able to put into jeopardy what you are trying to achieve.
If you really want to bag a good job then you should have your mind in the game and all times and never be distracted. A little work and seriousness will prove to be very helpful indeed in helping you get your dream job in a top company.
6. Try and narrow down on what you want:
Various people have different opinions about this point. Some believe that searching for a job with no preconceived notions is better as you are ready for anything that comes your way.
Whereas on the other end of the spectrum there are people who believe that it is absolutely vital to have a proper plan of action so that you do not end up confused about what to do once you begin your job search.
It is up to you to decide upon which plan of action you think is most suitable for you. At the end of the day you know best what your wants and needs are.
7. You must be prepared to accept failure:
Before you begin your job search you must realize that it is hardly ever that in the professional world things go according to planned, so you must be prepared for failure that is bound to come your way.
There is some truth in the common saying that failure is the stepping stone to success and it is only after you have tasted failure that you will truly appreciate the taste of success when it comes your way.
No matter how many times you will be forced to take rejection you should merely accept it as a part of life and never start second guess your own ability.
8. Being patient is an absolute necessity:
Another important thing which you should be ready for is that nothing is going to happen over night or in a matter of a few days. It might take you months or even a year or two to actually find a good job.
So do not begin job hunting thinking that something mind blowing is going to come your way in a matter of a few days.
However this is certainly not to discourage you, as if you are a skilled professional with all the required skills and talent then there is no reason why companies would not be willing to hire someone like you.
9. Have a strong and reliable network to back you:
The importance of having a proper reliable network to back you cannot be stressed enough. Being ‘in the loop’ and having friends and acquaintances that will help you when you are in need is something that is absolutely invaluable.
In addition to this if you can find a mentor who will guide you and give you advice about what to do, then that would be great.
However this does not imply that you only rely on what they are telling , rather try and take matters your own hands and get things done on your own, so that later on you can be proud that you have been able to bag a job all on your own steam.
10. Prepare a resume that is designed to impress:
Before you begin job hunting ensure that you have your resume prepared and ready to go. In this day and age, a resume is equivalent to a marketing and advertising tool where the product on display is you.
If you are able to prepare a good, impressive and professional resume then that is half the battle won for you right there. You must ensure that you prepare a brief and to the point resume which is concise and comprehensive.
No one has the time to sit and read lengthy descriptions and long drawn out explanations.
11. Be prepared for plenty of hours online:
In today’s times almost anything can be found out online. When there are job vacancies most companies post such information on their websites and prefer that you do not make rounds of their office unnecessarily.
Be prepared for a number of hours browsing the internet; visit various sites to see if companies have posted any information about vacancies which need to be filled immediately.
Ensure that while browsing the internet, you do not get distracted and start using Facebook or Twitter instead.
12. Put your personal life on hold for a while:
To win something you often have to lose something, so on this basic premise in order to bag a good job you need to put your social life on hold for a while.
Remember that job hunting is not going to be an easy phase of your life, so ensure that you are ready to really give your all.
You might lose some friends along the way but those who love you and are genuinely concerned about you will understand and they will continue to stand by you no matter what.
13. Ensure that you are able to communicate well:
In this day and age companies are always on the lookout for those employees that have the gift of the gab and are able to communicate in a comprehensive and concise manner.
If you think that you are lacking in this skill then before you begin job hunting you must ensure that you try whatever you possibly can to better develop this skill of yours.
If you are someone with good communication skills in addition to your theoretical knowledge, then any company will be willing to have an asset like you on board with them. You should never stop trying to improve yourself.
14. Make sure you do not stress yourself out too much:
As mentioned above, job hunting is not easy, yet at the same time you should ensure that you do not stress yourself out too much during this phase.
Else, when you are called for an interview then this fatigue and tension will immediately show on your face. The best thing you can do is go with the flow and not let minor worries get to you.
15. Ensure that you are enthusiastic and have a positive mental make up:
Being enthusiastic when you begin job hunting is something that could really help you along the way. No matter what is happening in the course of your job search, you should not become bitter or start thinking negatively.
Have faith in yourself; be confident about what you can achieve, then you can rest assured, that nothing can stop you from bagging a big job at a top company.
16. Never ‘settle’:
When you begin job hunting you must keep telling yourself that no matter what you will not ‘settle’ for just any and every job.
You will wait for something good to come along no matter how long it will take. Selling yourself short is something which you should never do under any circumstances.
17. Money is not everything in life:
Deciding on what job to choose when you are job hunting is never an easy task. One of the most important things which you need to remember is that though money is important in order to survive, yet you should not pick a job only because it is paying you well.
Job satisfaction is something which is equally important as well. Ensure that you are doing something you love.
18. Ensure the job you opt for allows you to maintain a work life balance:
Last but certainly not the least is that under all circumstances you should lookout for a job that allows you to have a proper personal life as well. At the end of the day spending time with loved ones is important as well.
Conclusion:
The actual activity of job hunting is not as easy as it may sound. Nowadays, the number of jobs available are limited indeed, so you have to ensure that you know what you want and that you are willing to give your best at all times and under all circumstances.
You must be prepared for the fact that some times when job hunting you might get a little demoralized and deflated but what you ought not to do is pin all your hopes up to one place.
Start your job search and apply to as many top companies as you can and in time to come you will hear from them with good news!
