Having trouble finding a job? Our experts share their best tips for a quick job search

If your entire job searching strategy was to apply to five jobs and wait for an opportunity to fall into your lap, you may have had some trouble securing a job offer. A job search is often a long and tedious task for most job seekers. It involves a lot more than just applying for jobs online. Today, Resume Mansion’s career experts share their trusted tips to securing a job offer within just a few weeks.

Identify your goals

One mistake many job seekers make is applying for jobs to the left and the right without clarifying their exact career goals. Identifying a target job title and a target industry will help you get hired much faster. Better yet if you can narrow down the type of employer you want to work for as well.

Create a strong resume

You should not apply for any job with a generic resume. A generic resume will downplay your skills and achievements. Create a tailored version of your resume aimed specifically at the job description of the role you are applying for. This will ensure that you stand out among the competition.

Optimize your LinkedIn profile

Haven’t updated your LinkedIn profile in a while? Then, it is time to remove that old profile picture and add a recent one. Update all sections of your LinkedIn profile to match your career goals. Planning on applying for a job in sales? Ensure that your LinkedIn profile is keyword-optimized with industry-related buzzwords.

Brush up your online presence

What’s the first thing that pops up when someone searches your name on social media? If it is a video of you jumping off a friend’s balcony into a pool after doing five shots, you may have some trouble with recruiters. Ensure that the publicly available content of your social media are not too controversial. Adjust the privacy settings of all your profiles as well.

Take to networking

A majority of happily employed professionals have found their job through their professional networks. The job search is not a cross that you must bear alone. You should talk to your friends, former colleagues, and others from your professional network about your job search. When they hear of a good opportunity, they will direct those to you.

Get the help of job boards

Make profiles on a few online job boards and make a habit of visiting them. New openings are constantly posted on online job sites, where you can filter them to suit your requirements. Turn on notifications for new jobs on your profile. When applying for jobs through job boards, ensure that you are only applying for the jobs that tick all your boxes.

Get your documents ready

You need a lot more than just a resume to create a job application. You will need to keep a winning cover letter template at hand to tailor for each job application you make. You will also need other documents such as KSA documents, thank you notes, letters of recommendation, and a list of professional references for a hassle-free job search.