Job hunting takes many forms and means different things to different people. Some people are already in employment but are casually looking for something else.
While others may be a little bit more desperate, for them every moment they’re not looking for a job can feel like a waste of time.
Those who are in employment can afford to be a little bit more relaxed about it and take the time to learn new skills.
However, there are other things those who are actively job hunting can do to make life easier.
Here are 5 productive things you can do today to make job hunting easier:
- Reassess
This may seem a little extreme, but if already unemployed then why not? It’s often sensible to reassess our lives.
How did we get here? What can we do differently? Is there a risk of this happening again?
We can’t help being made redundant; this often happens as a result of a corporate restructure, but what if this is an opportunity to do something else?
Losing our job and needing to start again can give some people the drive they need to start again, embracing their interests or retraining to do something they always wanted to do.
Can our interests be turned into profit? It helps to examine what our interests are, do we have any special skills we can use for our next job. This may be preferable to what you’ve tried before.
- Update your CV
Some of us leave our CV for years without updating it. Take this time to go over it with a fine comb. Update it and make sure it reads okay.
CVs have a habit of not ageing well as terminology becomes outdated as do fonts and trends. What was once essential for a CV is now redundant.
Make it relevant to the employers it’s being sent to and it displays our skills and experience in the best possible light.
- Join or update your LinkedIn
Those of us who are comfortable in a job may have neglected to join LinkedIn or keep our profile updated.
It’s useful while we’re in employment but even more useful when we’re seeking it. Put some time into creating a killer profile.
Fill out every part with as much information as possible. LinkedIn rewards those who take the time to complete their profile and will make such a page more viable to employers.
It’s also a great tool to reach out to other professionals and those looking for staff.
- Look for alternate avenues of work
When we’re hunting for a job it’s tempting to stick to the same old formula we’ve always used.
Sending out CVs and cover letters to those employers we like the look of and hoping they get back to us with an invitation to interview.
In this day and age employment can be found in more places than ever. The internet is full of online job opportunities, from full time work to more casual part time cash boosters.
Nobody needs to be incomeless and there is work out there for everyone if they put the time into finding it.
- Network with existing contacts
Our friends and family likely all do different types of jobs that range widely from person to person.
In the past we may have told them what they do sounds interesting and opportunities may have appeared, but as we were in full time work, we couldn’t capitalise on them. Now we can, if chances like this have appeared before, see if they are still available.
We often discuss ideas with friends about business ideas or creative pursuits that never end up coming to fruition. Now may be the time they do.
Even volunteering some time at a job that appeals to us may be a way to get in the door, their employer may see our value and not want us to leave.
There are always more jobs on offer than there seems, some people only ever find work through their personal networks and never apply for jobs in the traditional way. Try and cultivate this as well as looking for regular work.