The Hunt Is On: Tips For Your Job Search.

The pandemic created instability within most people’s work lives. Whether you were in an industry that was hit hard by closures like restaurant and hospitality, had to navigate working from home with a spouse and children also at home, or simply held on to a job that wasn’t great for your career growth because it was stable, last year proved a time when a lot of people were forced to reevaluate their careers and its path. As things open, maybe you are looking to move employers or industries. Or you have been jobless and feel safe enough to return to the workforce.

Here are our tips for your search:

Analyze your career and goals for the future. Don’t just apply to any job remotely in your desired field. If it something you would see as a weak spot in your future resume, should it be a job you apply to right now?
Create a plan and an organizational system. While it might seem best to go hard until you find a job, the truth is job hunting is stressful and draining. Instead, create set times to search and specific goals for your time. Also, create a tracking system for which jobs you have applied to, where you are in the process, and when you plan to do the follow-up.
Your attitude toward a job creates an atmosphere that carries from your hire date to your last day. Let’s be honest, sometimes you just need to work- but even if it isn’t your dream job or doesn’t fit into your dream career path, there are skills to grow. There are achievements that you can take from it. There are connections to be made with fabulous people. Coming into a less than ideal job with an open and ready-to-learn attitude sets you up for success.
If you are planning to switch career paths, start networking. Reach out to friends that might have connections in your new field and see if they can help with a more personal introduction. Use social media to connect with people you wouldn’t usually have access to, but remember most people are busy, so be respectful of their time, be professional, and don’t just reach out without having targeted, well-thought-out questions ready.
Look for cross-over skills. Are their skills from your old job or career that make you a stronger candidate? Now how can you emphasize them?
Look for skill boosters. If you feel like your resume lacks a qualification that might put you at the top of the hiring heap, there are many online forums to gain skills.
Want a specific job? Add words from the employment ad to your resume and cover letter. A computer will most likely read your resume/application, so using keywords from the ad will help get you to the next level, an actual human HR person.
Review and have others review your resume and cover letter. Make sure your resume and cover letter are professional and have correct spelling and grammar. Don’t be looked over because of a typo or a hard-to-understand passage.
Presentation matters. Ensure your social media is in order—professional-looking headshots for LinkedIn and any other career profiles. For your personal sites, clean up anything that isn’t employer-friendly. They will check.
Update your profiles (Linkedin, Indeed, etc.) to fit the jobs you are looking for currently. Using keywords from the industry you are looking in is vital to the visibility of your profile.
LinkedIn profiles are more visible when they have more connections. They also get more engagement when there are regular posts to the profile. Think about sharing relevant industry articles or news a couple of times a week.

Listen, job hunting is stressful and frustrating, but you can do this. By finding a career that fits your needs and goals, you step towards building the financial future you want. If you need help with your economic life, Scarlet Oak Financial Services can be reached at 800.871.1219 or contact us here.