How to Job Hunt While You’re Employed
If you’re looking for a new role, it can often feel like your main obstacle is your current one, as you try to balance your responsibilities with hours spent searching the internet for new opportunities.
However, there are ways you can speed up your job search, making it more efficient and less time-consuming. These tips will help you find the next step in your career while making sure you have enough time for yourself and do not have to sacrifice your work/life balance.
Set Clear Goals
Searching Google aimlessly for roles in your sector can feel like a fruitless endeavour. Depending on your industry, you may find that it takes half an hour just to find options that are relevant. The longer a job search takes, the harder it is to stay motivated. Ideally, you should be spending time outside of work having fun, rather than trawling through job websites, so you need to make sure your aims are clear.
To make your search as efficient as possible, set criteria for jobs you want to apply for, considering factors such as location, pay and benefits. This way, you will save time and be less likely to become frustrated and send rushed applications for roles that do not match your needs.
Seek out Networking Opportunities
While searching for a new position in work hours is a huge no-no, networking is one area where your current role can open up new opportunities. You are likely to meet other like-minded professionals as part of your role through meetings or events. Use these interactions to your advantage by connecting with people on LinkedIn and contributing to group discussions.
There may also be industry events you could take part in, which will help you to meet with key figures in your industry. Make sure you take a business card with you to potentially turn any of your encounters into a longer relationship. Word quickly spreads in industries and, if you are viewed as a respected specialist, a few positive interactions with other professionals could result in a job offer in the future.
Create a Schedule
Many people try to make time for their job search, but end up being caught up in social activities instead. Everyone needs time to relax outside of work, so create a schedule for job hunting. Put a note on your calendar on days that you want to spend 30 minutes searching for jobs, then you will have a constant reminder of when you need to start looking for your next role.
With a schedule, you can relax knowing when you will search for jobs and when you can enjoy social activities. This will also help to make sure you do not feel guilty for not spending time on your career and hopefully bring you closer to your next role while reducing stress levels in the process.
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Look for On-the-job Training
As part of your current role, you may have the opportunity to upskill in new areas and further your personal development. Even if moving into a new field seems like it may make your working day more stressful, it can pay off in the long run by adding highly valuable skills to your CV.
If you are searching for a similar role at a new company, these extra skills can make the difference between you and another candidate when an employer makes their decision. In addition to having a more diverse range of skills, a willingness to branch out and learn new things will certainly leave a strong impression.
Revamp your Social Media Profiles
Whether you’re on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or Snapchat, employers will be able to gain an insight into your everyday life within just a few clicks. With this in mind, it is crucial that your profiles offer a good impression to readers. Bosses won’t expect your Facebook or Twitter pages to be job-focused, but they will certainly be discouraged if they see offensive photos or posts.
LinkedIn offers a great chance for professionals to wax lyrical about their achievements and experience. If your profile currently looks empty, or if you’re yet to sign up, spend some time revamping the page and include examples of some of your best work.
How do you streamline your job-hunting experience? Let us know on Twitter at @viking_chat.
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