How to Start a Job Search in 5 Steps

How to abflug a Job Search in 5 StepsHow to Start a Job Search in 5 StepsStarting a job search feels a lot like standing at the bottom of a giant mountain. You know the view from the top will be thrilling, but its going to take a lot of climbing to get there.Because of that, getting abfluged with that very first step is often the hardest part.To make your trek up the proverbial job search mountain a little easier, weve pulled together a few things you should get started with.Here are five steps to start a job search and get things rolling1. Prepare your documents.Your resume and your deckblatt letter are the staples of your job hunt. You need those in place before you can apply to a single job. If its been ages since youve knocked the cobwebs off of these documents, then freshening them up is your best first step.Remember, youre going to want to tailor your resume and cover letter for each unique job that you apply to. However, you can still get a basic document in place that you can tweak the details on later. Its much easier if you give yourself a starting point.Make sure you update your old resume by swapping out employment dates and adding any new positions, key skills, or achievements. Dont neglect to double-check the basics- like your name, email address, and phone number- to make sure those are up to date as well.2. Polish your online presence.In todays digital age, you can bet that one of the first things a hiring manager will do after reviewing your resume is look you up online. You want them to be impressed by what they see.Start by ensuring that your social media accounts are clean and professional. While they dont need to be strictly business (you have a life outside of work, after all), you definitely dont want anything offensive or incriminating there. Think of it this way if you wouldnt want your grandma to see it, you dont want a hiring manager to see it either.Next, explore some ways that you can actually elevate your online presence- rather th an just cleaning it up. Could you add some more projects and examples of your work to your LinkedIn profile? Should you ask some previous colleagues to post recommendations? Is it worth setting up a dedicated website to promote your skills?There are tons of things you can do, but the key here is to make sure that your online reputation is something that youre proud of. You shouldnt apply to any jobs before you have that crossed off your to-do list.3. Touch base with your network.Ill spare you the Its not always what you know, but who you know clich. But, really, that old sentiment holds some water- your network can be a huge asset when you start looking for a new job.You never know who your connections are in touch with or who might be in the loop on open roles that would be perfect for you. The more people you can have in your corner, the better. Personally reach out (skip the blanket emails or form messages) to some select people in your network to let them know that youre seeking a new opportunity.Beyond that, make sure you also fill them in on exactly what youre looking for. Do you want a mid-management position? Are you only interested in certain industries? Do you need something remote? The more details you can give them, the better theyll be at pointing you in the direction of opportunities that could be a fit for you.4. Find your favorite resources.The job search can feel totally overwhelming, and much of that is because there are so many resources out there. Should you look for jobs within your network? On LinkedIn? On one of the hundreds of job boards out there?As with anything else, the smartest thing you can do is to target your efforts so that you can maximize your time. Start by getting really clear on exactly what youre looking for.For example, if you know for sure that you want a flexible or remote role, you can spend most of your time perusing a site like that will only show you positions that fit your criteria. You can even use advanced sea rch to really zone in on exactly what youre looking for- from desired work schedule to career level.Similarly, there are plenty of other niche job sites out there that only post specific roles- like web development, healthcare, and media- that will make it easier to cut through the clutter and find what youre looking for.5. Set some goals.Obviously, you have one large, overarching goal for your job search get a new job. But, that can take some time- and, its easy to get discouraged when you feel like you arent making any progress toward that huge objective.This is why you should map out a plan and some goals for yourself. Do you want to apply to a certain number of jobs each week? Do you want to schedule a specific amount of informational interviews each month?Having these smaller milestones will keep you on track and accountable, while also giving you plenty of opportunities to celebrate some smaller wins. Its a great way to keep your chin up when the job hunt can be discouraging.G etting started on your job search is half the battle. Fortunately, there are several small steps you can take to get the ball rolling. Begin with these five, and youll be well on your way.Start Browsing Open Flexible Jobs