It is our goal to help job seekers streamline their application process, removing as much frustration and wasted effort. I have created this comprehensive guide to help you enhance your job search experience. In this article, you will gain valuable insights, tips, and strategies that will help you stand out from the competition and land a job that gives you joy. 

The Digital Age of Job Searching

In today’s digital age, the job application process has changed quite substantially. Gone are the days of submitting your resume on paper and kicking back waiting for phone calls. The new job search ecosystem is evolving to include online job boards, company websites, and professional networking platforms. If you want to succeed in this new market, you are going to have to implement new strategies. 

Leveraging Online Job Boards

In order to get a new job, you need to find where they advertised. Luckily for you, this is easier than ever with services like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. The only issue with these platforms is that they are too popular, meaning there is a ton of competition for every job you want to apply for. To get a jump on other job seekers, you need to follow few crucial strategies:

Optimize Your Profile: On LinkedIn especially, there are many optimizations you can make to attract recruiters to you. The most important of which is to include the job title you desire inside of your headline. If you are applying to be a process engineer, include the keyword of Process Engineer in your headline so you appear in search results for that position.

Customize Job Alerts: To get a jump on either job seekers, make sure you set up job alerts. The hiring manager only has so much time in the day and may not be able to get to every resume submitted. To get seen by the hiring manager, you want to be one of the first people to apply. The best way to do this is to turn on notifications on your mobile device or through email. 

Network Actively: Networking is one of the highest leverage uses of your time. It is not always what you know, but who you know. LinkedIn is a great resource for networking with professionals in your industry. Connecting with those who have jobs you desire can help inform you of what to focus on, and may lead to a job referral at their company. Keep making good impressions and you will be rewarded. 

Crafting the Perfect Resume

Once you get yourself familiar with job boards, it is time to refine your resume. Every application you submit has the potential to lead to a job offer, so you have to make it count. 

Tailor Each Resume: The best tip I have for making the perfect resume is to customize it for each application. Your skills and work experience must display keywords that are relevant to the specific job you are applying for. ResumeAI does this tailoring for you. Try for free today.

Use Action Words: Every sentence in your work experience should start with strong action verbs. This is a best practice that will make hiring managers recognize your value. 

Quantify Achievements: Also within your work experience section, make sure you quantify your impact. Using concrete results with numbers or percentages will display that you drive action.

Mastering the Application Process

Even with a perfect resume and following the best practices on a job board such as LinkedIn, it will take many applications to even hear back from a hiring manager. To reduce the frustration you experience during this process, consider these 2 concepts: 

Create an Application Tracker: Develop an excel or google sheets spreadsheet that tracks the roles you are interested in and your current status. Using columns such as applied, heard back, and interview scheduled will help you see the conversion rate you have at each stage, and remind you of who you need to follow up with. 

Follow Up: Companies interview several candidates. Stay at the top of the teams mind by sending follow ups after your interview to express your interest. Sending multiple follow ups is acceptable depending on how long it has been since you have heard back. 

The Road to Success

Securing a job you enjoy in today's competitive market requires diligence, adaptability, and strategic thinking. By leveraging online job boards, crafting a quality resume, and managing the status of your applications, you will improve your chances of success. 

Consistency is key so do not get discouraged if you do not see results right away. When you follow the right system, you will see results. Trust the process and go secure that job!