Looking for a new job can be pretty difficult, and you should always start this journey on the right foot; this is why we are writing this specific post. Ask anyone, job seeking is never fun, and it tends to be a really stressful experience, especially if you aren’t getting any call back after sending your CV.
There are a lot of factors at hand when it comes to searching and applying for a job, and you have to know them to ace this specific process. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn some of the things you should know and do when searching for a job.
1. Clean your social media
Social media are often a red flag and can be an indicator for a company whether to hire you or not. So, before you start job hunting, get your social media game together and clean your pages. Your potential employee will snoop on your social media profile and will conduct a quick google search to learn more about you.
At least put them in private so that people can get the dirt on you easily. A general rule of thumb is to never post racist, homophobic or sexist things on there because this will come back to bite you in the future. This may close doors like college or even employment. Always check that your social media are private and make sure that if there is anything questionable on there, delete it.
2. Resume
Prioritize conciseness overlooks and aesthetics when it comes to CVs. The standard for resumes changes every couple of years, and something that worked 10 or even 3 years ago, doesn’t mean that it necessarily work right now. Because your potential employers will see a plethora of CVs, they might just look over them if it is too difficult to read.
Your CV should be clear, attractive, and easy to read; nowadays, most people send CVs online because of the pandemic and being more environmentally friendly. Artistic flairs and bold colors don’t necessarily work when it comes to electronic formats. Having a very streamlined CV is what will make the human resource manager give your application more thought.
You should also be aware that some ATS software can’t read serif format, and you should use either Times New Roman or Arial to be on the safe side. Keep it simple and remember content is key in the digital age, and don’t focus too much on imagery.
3. Post-interview
When the interview is done, you won’t necessarily get a call back immediately because the company has to interview other people, so don’t wait for the callback. You have to be patient post-interview, and it might take a while for them to get back to you, and sometimes some companies might not even call you at all.
Don’t put all your eggs in the same basket when it comes to looking for a job. Some interviews might have a couple of steps, and you might go through 3 to 4 steps before getting to the final interview, and even after that, you might not get the job. Wait for a call back can be really time-consuming, and in the meantime, you should apply for other jobs and go for other interviews.
4. Final Thought
One tip that we give everyone is to set boundaries and not overwork yourself for a company that won’t pay you what you are worth. If it is your first job, then you are working primarily for the experience. If that is the case, then bestie, bite the bullet until you have enough experience to get a better and higher-paying job.
And if you feel undervalued in your current job, you should search for another one because there are plenty of fish in the sea. Most jobs and employers don’t care about you and would replace you with a robot; the second, the latter becomes cheap enough.
Treat your jobs, or any jobs for that matter, as stepping stones to get where you want to be in life, and there is nothing wrong with that. The loyalty and logic that you have to stay in a company till you are 60 or retired even if you hate that job are unhealthy and a ridiculous standard.
Quit as often as necessary and definitely don’t sacrifice your worth, creative juices, and especially not your mental health for a low-paying job that doesn’t value you. Communicate your value and know what you are worth. Then ask twice as much because people will always pay your lower than what you are worth!
The point of working is creating a better life for yourself and getting ahead, and this might seem like a very Gen Z take on employment, but at the end of the day, it is a reality. You should do anything you can to get ahead in life and if that means quitting a job, then go for it.
Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next and if you want more advice on how to land yourself the perfect job. I’ll end this blog with a quote from Coleridge:
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
