If you’re looking to make a change in the year ahead but would like a little help in getting started and making sure you’re well-positioned in a competitive market, rest assured: We’re here to help!
It’s a great time to look for jobs. While unemployment has begun to stabilize after the madness of the last few years, there are still plenty of jobs available in a multitude of fields for people looking to advance or change their careers. And then come the interviews, which can be just as stressful as finding a new position for which you’d like to apply.
Here’s a few things to consider as you set out to find a new job and some advice on how to be successful in your search:
Do your homework.
When considering a job position, read the company’s website to see whether it strikes you as a place you’d like to work. Review the company’s social media presence: Do they post often? Are the photos generic, or do they seem to show real employees? Has the company been positively reviewed by current or former employees? Are employees happy to be there? Take a closer look at the job description: Does it include a pay range? How does that compare to similar jobs in other places? While doing this research, take notes so you’ll be prepared to ask a few questions during an interview to delve a little deeper into whether this is the right place for you.
Match skills to requirements.
When you’re ready to apply, make sure your resume and cover letter are customized to match your abilities with the required skills the position lists. It might not be a perfect apples-to-apples match, but many skills are translatable across industries and experiences. Good communication skills, for example, are needed and appreciated everywhere, as are project management skills and adaptability. If you think you don’t have those skills, think about how you’ve juggled multiple projects in the past or stayed on top of social obligations when things get busy. Creative thinking about how your skills match up with what your potential employer is looking for can help you walk away feeling more confident in your abilities to boot! This will also help you prepare for making an argument during your interview that you’re the best candidate for the job.
Prepare.
You know in advance some of the questions that are likely to be asked of you in any interview, for any job, in any position: What interested you in this job? How do you think your skills match this job? Why are you a good candidate for this position? Where do you see yourself in a few years? Think carefully about your answers to these questions and practice them so you can provide answers quickly, confidently and concisely, understanding that you might be a little nervous in the moment and being prepared can help bring things under control. At the same time, prepare a few questions of your own. Most interviews will include a portion of time, usually toward the end, in which you’ll be asked if you have any of your own questions. Have a few in mind: what is the company’s five-year timeline? What goals are the highest priorities for the company now? Where is the largest opportunity for growth in this industry, and who is the biggest competition? What sets this company apart from others? How would someone in this position fit into the bigger picture? If you can find something of particular interest to you or the position you’re applying for, be sure to ask that as well.
Be ready.
When the time comes for the interview, make sure you’re feeling confident. If it’s an in-person interview, make sure the outfit you’ll wear is neat and tidy, that you feel comfortable in it and that it looks nice. You want your outfit to be appropriate for the position — you don’t need a three-piece suit to apply for a customer service job where you’re on the phones, but you don’t want to wear pajamas to the in-person interview either — and you want to make a good impression without having the focus of the interview be on what you’re wearing. If it’s a remote interview, make sure you have a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Make sure your internet signal is strong and that your device is charged and working well. Check your background! You don’t need distractions there, either. If it’s a phone interview, make sure your signal is clear, and the room is quiet. If you’re doing a remote or phone interview, have your notes handy and refer to them as needed; if you’re meeting in-person, take a moment before going in to read through your questions and the list you made of how your skills match the job description.
Take a deep breath and go in with confidence.
The hard work you’ve put into finding a job has brought you to this moment. Much of whether a person gets a job comes down to impression and chemistry. Managers have an idea of what they’re looking for. You’ve done your best to convey to them that you’re it! Do your best, and know that you’ve done all you can to be successful.
Looking for a new job and preparing to plead your case is stressful. It might go your way — congratulations! How exciting! — or it might not — but not all is lost. There are other positions out there, and you will find the one that’s right for you.
That’s where Debbie’s Staffing comes in: We work with great companies looking for candidates just like you, and we’d be happy to help show you a few options worth considering. Give us a call and let us know the kind of work you’d like to do and a little about your background, then we’ll take care of the rest. Still figuring it out? We also provide leads on temporary work! Contact Debbie’s Staffing today, and let’s help you make 2023 a successful year.
