If you’re fresh off the job market and looking for a job or even a career, the process can be a bit overwhelming at first—but you shouldn’t be intimidated. It’s important to keep in mind that the job search is a process, not a race. In this article we will give you 10 tips we hope will help to land you a new job.

There are a lot of people out there looking for a new job. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. had more than 23 million job seekers in March 2016, a 3 percent increase from a year before. Considering we are nearing the end of stimulus and other assistance from the government due to COVID there are even more people looking in 2021 and into 2022. However, do not let this discourage you! The good news there are also many different industries and companies looking to hire on new employees as well. So, how do you land a new job? While it would be impossible to cover every aspect of getting a new job, we hope to give you a 10 tips to help you land a new job or career.

In Today’s world, just sending out resumes to a potential workplace is not enough. The modern era demands that you portray more wisdom when hunting for a new job or career. Therefore, it is important to prepare yourself, and follow through with the following tips, tricks & strategies.

1.    Know Your Skills

Instead of focusing on the job title, pay more attention to the required skills. This helps identify which job you can land with your current skill set. At the end of the day, job titles may change, but knowing your skills will help you know your potential. We all know that your role at a job is more than just answering phones or making coffee. It’s also about your skills.

2.    Explore Your Options

Shortlist such job options that fit your career goals and your skill-set. Then, research your chosen companies, as well as their cultures, to find the top matches.

3.    Personalize Your Resume

Because it is often the first glimpse of you that employers see, nothing is as important as having a amazing resume that stands out! Be sure to tailor your resume to each job, even if you are searching for jobs in the same industry. Be sure to personalize your resume to suit every potential employer. This will give you a competitive edge and increase your chances of landing a job.

4.    Improve Your Cover Letter

When applying for a job, be sure to add your background information along with reasons why you are the best candidate for the position you are applying for. For an extra punch, feel free to include a call to action.

5.    Research the Market

As soon as you get a call for the interview, prepare for it by researching the company, as well as the individuals who will be interviewing you. Find out as much as you can to have an idea of their expectations. (Bonus tip: You can find out a lot about someone with a search of their social media, Facebook, LinkedIn, ect. You can be sure they are checking yours out aswell! So keep yours clean and professional!)

6.    Be Honest About Your Weaknesses

When asked about your weaknesses, do not sidestep the question. Instead, acknowledge them and try to prove that they are not related to the field or position you are applying for. At the very least, be honest about them.

7.    Get Ready for Unexpected Questions

In almost every interview you appear for, you will be asked some off the wall question, which is to test your thought process, possibly even your ethics or moral code. Though you can’t be prepared for every question like this, you can mentally coach yourself to expect the unexpected.

8.    Always Stay Calm

Things can sometimes go south even if you feel you are 100% prepared. Therefore, you must remember to stay calm, even if you trip up. One mistake will not necessarily hinder your chances of getting the job if everything else moves flawlessly.

9.    Emphasize Culture

In the corporate world possessing specific skills and/or experience is important to employers, but equally important is being a culturally compatible employee. Thus, you need to set yourself apart by showing that you are a cultural fit for the organization. Research the organization’s core values and beliefs and tell them how they align with your own. Make sure to read and understand their mission statement, which can often be found on their website.

10.                       Finish Strong

The first and last impressions matter, which is why the interviewer will ask you if you have any questions. Try to ask at least one question that can help you lead into a story about your journey and yourself. You may also in a sense, try and flip the script on the interviewer by asking them some of the similar questions they may have asked you. This will help show them that you are in fact interested in the future of your role in the organization, as well as the organization as a whole.

Here are a few examples:

“What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?”

“Is this a new role that has been created?”

“What does a typical work day look like?”

“Are there opportunities for advancement or professional development?”

“What are the most important things you’d like to see someone accomplish in the first 30, 60, and 90 days in this position?”

“What is the most exciting thing about the organization and it’s future?”

Conclusion

In summary, these tips will help you breeze through your next interview and enable you to land a job that you will truly enjoy. The tips are a great mix of common sense and specific strategies that you can use to your advantage. I hope that by following them, you will be able to to accomplish your career goals.