How to Get a Job: Tips for Beginning a Job Search

Beginning a job search can be overwhelming, but if you’re looking to redirect your career path or have come across job openings that cater to your skills and interests, it’s worth knowing the right approach to take to land an offer. Here are some tips:

1. 1. Be passionate in your cover letter. As you respond to job postings or referrals, don’t just repeat information from your résumé in your cover letter. Your cover letter is an opportunity to express your passion for the field and make your case for why you want a specific job. Even if the given position isn’t your dream job, take the time to present something polished: Weave together your past work experience with a well-researched take on the company and what you hope to accomplish there.
2. 2. Look beyond your résumé. Recruiters and hiring managers are likely considering many people for any given position, and these candidates probably have backgrounds and work experience similar to your own. One way to gain an edge in the application process is to think expansively about how you present yourself. Consider your personal brand and how that’s reflected in your social media presence. If you don’t have a website or a solid online presence, it’s worth thinking about creating one.
3. 3. Tailor your resume to the job description. When applying for a job, tailor your approach to present yourself in a way that will elicit a response from potential employers. Try incorporating some of the language found on the company website or job description into your job application materials to set yourself apart. However, when tailoring your CV to the post, don’t misrepresent your experience because it will create issues down the line if the employer offers you the position.
4. 4. Pursue leads from different areas. Job boards can be a decent place to look for open positions, but responding with a cover letter and résumé often isn’t enough in today’s job market. For example, it’s worth checking your contacts to see if you know anyone who works at the company in question and asking them to put in a good word for you. Outside of posted jobs, try to make a habit of scheduling informational interviews with people whose careers you find fascinating. They might keep you in mind the next time they’re hiring.
5. 5. Take job interviews seriously. Whether you’re trying to get an entry-level position or making your way into upper management, prepare yourself thoroughly for your interview. Research the company’s past and current projects and practice answering common interview questions. You don’t want to seem too rehearsed, so once you’ve done your research and feel confident, relax and remember that they also want to see what you’re like as a coworker.
6. 6. Always follow up. Following up after every stage of the hiring process is a great way to show how engaged you are and what kind of graciousness and enthusiasm you’d bring to the role. Learn how to follow up after an interview.
7. 7. Remember to negotiate. It’s easy to lose steam when your job hunt appears to be nearing its end, but it’s essential to keep your wants and needs in mind as you mull over a new job. Is the salary sufficient? Is the company flexible with its remote work policy? These are questions you can and should consider when parsing job offers. Learn how to negotiate a job offer.

If you’re starting a new career or looking for your first job, the task of getting your foot in the door is daunting but doable. Here are some ways to go about it regardless of the type of job:

1. 1. Start with an internship or part-time gig. In cases where you’re making a career transition, you may have to start as an intern, freelancer, or part-timer to educate yourself and gain experience before you can get a full-time job. Learn how to get an internship.
2. 2. Emphasize professional development and qualifications. If you’ve taken a course or gotten certifications in a subject area, include that information in your applications if it’s relevant. The more qualified you appear, the better.
3. 3. Showcase your skills. Creating material relevant to the kinds of jobs you want and posting them on social media or your website is a great way to show off your skills, especially in creative fields.
4. 4. Consider your transferable skills. When searching for an entry-level job, you may not have performed the exact tasks job listings ask of you. Still, you likely have some relevant experience to mine for material in your résumé and cover letters, whether it’s from your college extracurricular activities or a hobby. Think creatively about your soft skills: good communication or writing, customer service, and more. Learn how to fill out the skills section of your résumé.
5. 5. Be proactive about informational interviews. Meeting with someone in your field of interest for career advice is by no means a guaranteed way to get a job. Still, it is an effective way to get on someone’s radar and demonstrate your positive, go-getter attitude—particularly for entry-level candidates.

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