It’s no longer up to companies to hire you, it’s up to you to get hired
April 25, 2011 
16 Comments
It’s 2011 and it’s time to take control of your job search. This year, it’s no longer up to companies to hire you, it’s up to you to get hired. Forget about how the economy is doing. Reflect on last year if you must, but then forget about that, too. This year, your focus will be on finding the right job for you and doing everything you can to be the best candidate for that job. The competition may still be tough, but you’re going to be better than the competition.
Here’s how to turn the tables in your favor.
1. Narrow your search. Stop applying to jobs that you’re not qualified for or don’t really want. It’s a waste of time. Be honest with yourself when evaluating job postings. If you had to start the job tomorrow, do you have all the skills you’d need to succeed? Or are there areas of the job description that you don’t have experience in? While it’s always great to be willing to learn, most companies want to hire someone who can jump right in and get started without being trained from scratch. Focus your time on creating great applications for jobs you are well qualified for instead.
2. Know exactly what you want. Narrowing down your job search may force you to ask yourself tough questions like: What kind of job am I really after? And, what skills can I offer an employer? If you’re unsure of the answer, make one list of the job skills you excel at and one of the skills you like to use most. Use these skills as search terms in your job search.
3. Reevaluate your skill set. If you feel like you’ve looked at every job posting on earth and you still can’t find one your skills match up with, then it’s time to get some new skills. The good news for those who are unemployed is that it’s the perfect opportunity to go back to school. You won’t have to divide your time with your job obligations, and there’s also the possibility that the economy will have recovered a bit by the time you graduate school — giving you a double leg up. There are even government funding and programs available for out-of-work job-seekers that want to enroll in training or continue their education.
4. Set goals. Yes, your overall goal may be to get a job, but setting short-term, specific job search goals for the year will help you grow and force you to continuously evaluate your progress. Improve your networking skills, for example, by making January’s goal to join a professional organization and February’s to attend a college alumni event. Holding yourself accountable for achieving these goals will boost your self-esteem and motivate you to continue searching by providing you with new leads and information.
5. Try something new. If you’re stuck in a job search rut, add a new strategy to your repertoire. Instead of only job searching online, try working with a recruiter and setting up informational interviews with industry contacts, too. A multi-faceted approach will get the best results.
6. Get a leg up on the competition. If you come across a job that seems perfect for you, do something that will subtly help you stand out from the crowd. When you find a job posting you want to apply to, find out the name of the hiring manager or someone who works in the same department, and send the person an e-mail directly. It’s 2011, which means almost anything can be found online, including names and e-mail addresses. A LinkedIn search on the company should turn up a list of employees and their titles, from which you can select the most appropriate person. Then, search the company website or press releases for the company’s e-mail format.
7. Get a hold of your online reputation: When an HR manager searches your name online (and they will do it) you can either take control what they see, or you can leave it to the powers of the crawl search gods. Search results that are professional, consistent and that establish you as an expert in your field will be far more impressive than Facebook pictures from Thanksgiving. Things like a Facebook or LinkedIn profile and a Twitter feed will all show up on the first page, so signing up for these sites and populating the accounts with up-to-date, professional content will make a great impression.
8. Start a website: If you want to take your Internet presence one step further, starting a website will showcase your skills and talents in a thorough and interesting way, and it’ll add to your professionalism and give you credibility. Plus, it’s not as costly or as time-consuming as you might think. Domain names (i.e. YourName.com), can be registered on sites like GoDaddy.com or Bluehost.com for around $10, and web hosting can cost as little as $3 per month. If you’re not particularly tech savvy, premade blog templates give you a professional look with minimal hassle. WordPress.com has tons of template options and also provides great technical support for novices.
9. Stay current: You should always be in the loop, even if you’re out of work. Read trade publications, comment on industry blogs, and stay on top of any emerging technologies or policies that may impact your career path. This will not only help you have a great conversation with an interviewer and keep your professional edge, but it may also give you new ideas about where and how to look for a job.
10. Sell yourself: An interview is no time for modesty, especially in times like these. When you land an interview, go prepared with at least five examples that demonstrate your best qualities. That way, when an interviewer asks, “Why should I hire you,” you can talk about how you’re such a quick learner that you taught yourself Photoshop in a week and how your entrepreneurial spirit lead you to start your first lawn-mowing business at age 16. Be sure to leave the interviewer with the phone numbers of references who will back you up with glowing recommendations.
11. Keep that glass half-full approach, all year: A job search will always have its frustrating moments, because things don’t always happen when or how we want them to happen. But instead of letting setbacks ruin motivation, take them as lessons. Your lack of interviews may mean it’s time to re-evaluate your career path or skill set, which could lead you to a more fulfilling career. This type of positive attitude will be much more productive in helping you find your next job.
The bottom line is that job searching will be tough this year, but landing a job — even your dream job — can still be a reality. A proactive job search is your best bet, so take the necessary steps to ensure you get the job you want.
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Categories: Career Advice, Changing Careers, College Graduates, Interview Tips, Job Hunting Strategies, Job Market, Re-entering the Workforce
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I’ve gotten my yellow, legal pad out and am writing each bullet point on a page and then putting everything I want and need in writing, so I don’t miss any of the points in this blog.
I’d be shocked if following this list did not yield major results. The only thing I might add for speakers of English as another language (who aren’t 100% sure of their communication skills) would be to verbally articulate key responses aloud before interviewing, making sure they sound confident, cool, and logical.
This blog is a must for job seekers. Spreading the word…
Finally someone has the guts to admit that no one owes you a living. It’s up to you to make your way through life. And it will take some work.
Your advice is spot on.
Gary Gile recently posted..Why being Passionate in Your Business is Critical- and not Enough
I totally agree with this mentality. It is up to the job applicant to get hired. I really like the list of advise given above specially the part about “selling yourself”. I am a firm believer that it works, not easy to master but with practice it makes it easier.
I can’t believe the sycophantic namby-pamby comments on here. This is just more typical blather. I don’t need that. I need a job.
Good article…sell yourself and keep the glass half full hits home the most with me. Having the Bear as a tool to be proactive is key as well.
Sound advice. Adding a website to showcase yourself is a new twist. I like the idea!!
This article gets to the meat of what you need to do to get that next job or even move up in your company. I think if you do these things you will be far ahead of 90% of your competition.
The old saying is still true: “If it is to be it’s up to me”. Reading other people’s thoughts on job searching whether you agree or not can create new ideas of your own that may be just what you need.
Yes! it’s time to take the bull by the horn. Great advice, I have found it very helpful!
Great suggestions to help people become proactive. You have to sell yourself!
repackaged advice from a million and one others; with no basis in reality.
It is not a matter of having the skills; ability to do the job; or even a matter of retraining. All nice excuses from hiring managers and advice columnists …
very good job. thanks?