As we all know from experience, embarking upon a job hunt involves many ups and downs. Whether you’re looking for a summer internship, a side-gig during the school year, or even your first step into “the real world,” the struggle is real when it comes to finding the perfect lead. One of the hardest parts of this struggle comes at the very beginning — getting your foot in the door. We all know the feeling of sending out cover letters and resumes to a multitude of job postings and receiving little to no response for weeks on end.
That being said, if you are currently on the hunt for a job, fear not. To prevent the post-job-hunt slump, I have compiled a list of my best tips and tricks to show potential employers all that you have to give!
- Know where to look for potential jobs
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When it comes to looking for a job, the hardest part can sometimes be knowing where to look. To avoid being ghosted by a potential employer during the application process, a great strategy is to search for opportunities by connecting with people, rather than postings. For example, try searching on LinkedIn for someone with a job you are interested in at the company you are looking to apply to, and reach out to them! Asking someone you admire about their career path will almost always lead to great advice, and perhaps even some insight about potential job opportunities.
- Make sure your social media profiles are job appropriate
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Nowadays, social media has made everyone’s life so public that when it comes to job applications, it’s necessary for your online profiles to reflect a job-appropriate view of yourself if your profile is public. If this is the case, try to make sure that the content shown on your profile reflects the best version of yourself for potential employers to see. If you need a little help refining your feed, I suggest sitting down with a parent or a trusted adult with professional experience to go through your socials together to make sure everything is on point! To play it safe, you can also ensure your profile settings are private.
- Get started on LinkedIn
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Speaking of social media, a great platform that employers love to check in on is LinkedIn! Creating a profile gives potential employers an easy look into your past experience and even your personality, like an online resume! Better yet, LinkedIn is a great tool for connecting with potential employers or those who have jobs you look up to and want to learn more about! When it comes to standing out to potential employers, LinkedIn is a great way to reach out to professionals in your network to ask for tips, tricks, and advice about industries you are interested in.
- Keep in touch
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Staying in touch after applying or interviewing for a job is essential when it comes to staying on a potential employer’s radar. Checking in to express your sustained interest in the job once every other week following your application or interview ensures that the employer knows you’re not only taking the opportunity seriously but are also excited about pursuing the job as well. As a result, you are way more likely to stand out as a passionate and motivated potential employee.
- Make the most of every opportunity
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While focusing on a specific goal or job position is extremely helpful in terms of motivation and drive, remember that not hearing back from your number one choice might not always be a bad thing! Every available opportunity has the potential to become an invaluable learning experience. Julie Vessel, chief talent officer at MONO told Thrive Global that “it’s easy to complain about an opportunity that doesn’t seem perfect…[but] if you can keep an open mind, chances are you can do something great. But when we limit our view of things, we also limit our possibilities.”
- Take every experience with a grain of salt
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Remember that your worth does not depend on the outcome of each interview and job opportunity you pursue! If you haven’t heard back from a potential employer in a few weeks, don’t be hard on yourself – this is one job of the thousand others out there! Don’t let one fizzled opportunity curb your motivation. If anything, use it as a learning experience to further drive your success in the future.
- Avoid comparing yourself to others
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It’s so easy to compare yourself to friends who are at a completely different stage in their job hunt, or even in life, which can really take a toll on your self-esteem. Jessica Taylor, the Director of Marketing at Keepsafe, told Thrive Global that “No two careers are alike. Everyone is on her own career journey…when you compare yourself to someone else, you conflate someone else’s values with your own.” With this in mind, staying in your own lane and focusing on your career journey and values will prove to be crucial when on the job hunt, regardless of what stage you find yourself at.
There you have it! By using these tips throughout your job search, you can be sure to give a great first impression and show off your confident, boss-babe personality.