How to find the right #job in 2021
Use your skills and get paid what you deserve in the best fit for you.
The right job means something different to everyone and your career path is going to be unique. One of the toughest parts of your professional life can be determining what you should do for employment, how to figure out if that’s right for you and finding those opportunities.
Know what you need from a job
Examine your situation and what your current needs are – do you need a temporary gig or side hustle to make money? Or, are you trying to build a career path and take your next step?
Before you even look at job descriptions, get real with yourself about what’s important. Doing this will save you time as you scroll through open jobs and determine which ones to apply to. Consider logistics such as how many hours you can work per day or week, if you need flexibility or a set schedule, and if finding the right culture fit is a priority.
To help you sort through all of these options, think about the stressors in your current situation and what would alleviate them. Make a list somewhere – on your phone, in a Google Doc, on a piece of paper – to remind yourself of what you need. You could also update your job seeker profile with your career goals and what you’re looking for in a role.
Use the right tools to save time
Smart technology can get you to the right jobs, faster. One popular way to search for jobs is on a job board, where thousands of employers post their open roles. Create an account, add your resume and get yourself in that network of companies, so you can apply quickly and your resume is at the fingertips of hiring managers who are searching for talent. If the job board offers it, take it one step further and complete your job seeker profile – list skills, goals, experience and more to illustrate how you are a well-rounded candidate.
Now that you’ve put yourself out there to be easily found by recruiters and hiring managers, use the filters and search functions on that job board to see the right roles for you.
Filter by employment type. This goes back to the first point – what job schedule or workload are you looking for? Whether it’s seasonal, work from home or fulltime, select what you need to find the perfect job.
Filter by pay. If you have a goal or minimum salary or hourly wage you need to make, include that as part of your search. More and more employers are including pay in the description to save time for both recruiters and job seekers.
Filter by application type. Whether you want to manage each detail of a multi-step application or are comfortable with a 1-click easy apply to jobs, you should look for roles that meet your job-hunting needs.
Stay on top of your career
Your career isn’t static, even if "climbing the ladder” isn’t really your thing. As you progress from one job to the next, and your life changes – maybe you get married, have kids or move out of state – your needs from your job will shift as well.
Once you’ve landed the right role for you, right now, set aside some time each month to check-in on your career progress. Does your profile accurately reflect your skills? What about adding a cool project you just completed to your resume or profile? Are you continuing to see what other roles are out there? That last point is especially crucial if you’re in a role where you are underemployed or feel it’s temporary to get back on your feet.
Don’t forget to invest in yourself to stay on top of the trends in your industry and be a highly-skilled worker, in whatever it is you choose to do.