5 simple ways to improve your job search

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Job hunting is never fun nor easy. If you’re unemployed you have the pressure of trying to find something as quickly as possible and while you can afford to be choosy if you’re still employed, it can be incredibly difficult to find the time to apply to roles and attend interviews without your employer getting suspicious.

Below we have listed five simple ways to improve your job search so that it’s quicker and less stressful.

Update your social media profiles

Most recruiters will check you out on social media before they even invite you in for an interview so make sure they’re going to like what they see.

You should assume without certainty that your LinkedIn page will be looked at so use this to your advantage. Just like you would with your CV, ensure that your profile is up to date with all your latest jobs, qualifications, experience and achievements.

It’s well worth spending some time asking people to write a recommendation for you as well. Having good quality testimonials on your profile will show recruiters that you’re a trustworthy professional which will reinforce the skills and strengths on your CV and make you even more appealing to them.

Don’t forget to have a thorough check through your personal social media accounts as well because recruiters may take a look at these to get a feel for what kind of person you are. Whether it’s opinionated tweets or drunken Facebook photos from years ago, it’s best to delete them or change your settings to private so only people you’re connected to can see them.

Use Twitter

Recruiters are constantly tweeting about jobs they need to fill which means that Twitter is a seriously untapped resource for job seekers. To make sure you’re in the know about these leads, create a Twitter job search list which includes recruiters, hiring managers, company hiring handlesand job search websites.

Be organised

If you’re actively looking for a new role, it’s so easy to lose track of which jobs you’ve applied for and who you’ve spoken to. The great news is that there are a number of free tools out there such as JibberJobberwhich can help you to stay on track of all of this. From the jobs you’ve applied for to interview dates, you can log absolutely everything related to your job search.

Look for hidden opportunities

Not all vacancies are posted to job boards so by sticking to this method alone, you could be missing out on valuable opportunities. It’s always worth sending a speculative email if there’s a particular company you want to work for – just make sure you do your research and send it to the right person. It’s also worth telling your personal network of friends and family that you’re on the lookout for new opportunities and ask them to keep their ears open. If you’re not currently in a role, it’s also worth including on your LinkedIn profile that you’re in the market for a new job.

Use a job agency

One of the best ways to find out about hidden opportunities is to sign up to a recruitment agency. They tend to work with the same clients for many years so will often hear about vacancies before they’re even advertised. Being sent through by an agency that a company knows and trusts is also like having your very own personal recommendation which means that you may be more likely to secure the role.

If you would like help finding your next job, please don’t hesitate to get in touchwith Choralis Consulting.