One of the things that attracted me to Goodwin Recruiting was strong adherence among talent recruiters to the company’s core values, which guide how we work and do business. One of our core values is the idea that we are creators of our own success. The essence of this value is something that we, as recruiters and career coaches, pay forward to job candidates in search of their dream jobs.  

Such career advice is needed now more than ever. Much is known and written about how difficult the job market is for today’s job candidates, and it’s true. But what’s rarely, if ever, written about is the need for job seekers to become fully committed to creating your own success. My aim is to change that by sharing valuable tips on preparing for your job search and the best way to get the job you want.  

Some obstacles to a successful job search may be in your mind   

No part of me discounts or diminishes the struggles faced by job seekers right now. And beyond that, I see and empathize with how a tough job market impacts a candidate’s frame of mind during a job search. Personally, I‘ve become convinced that failure in the job hunt often begins when candidates give more mental bandwidth to excuses and difficulties than to determination and personal responsibility in advancing their career paths. I speak from experience. I learned the hard way.  

Here’s the reality. Today’s hiring managers not only need competent candidates, but they’re also looking for the quickest path to finding great people for their teams. Since there are usually numerous capable candidates applying for the same job openings with potential employers, it is each job seeker’s responsibility to set yourself up for success by staying diligent during the job search process. Staying strong and determined will help you get invited for job interviews, land your next job, and close in on your ultimate career goals.    

Up your game with these tips  

If you’re intent on being the creator of your own success as a job candidate and successfully achieving your career goals, here are eight tips to ingrain in your thinking and job search strategy.   

1. Clearly define what you want in your new job 

I spoke with a candidate last week who wanted to work in one of several specified states and do one of several types of jobs, none of which were reflected in their previous work experience. They didn’t really know what they wanted. This creates a difficult situation for recruiters. Remember that you are the CEO of your life. It’s important to determine your professional direction early in the job search process. Make sure your efforts are intentional so that recruiters and hiring managers can deliver the results you want. 

2. Set daily goals in looking for job opportunities 

The average job opening in corporate America attracts about 250 applications. In essence, you have a 0.004% chance of landing a role for which you apply. I don’t say this to be discouraging, but rather to acknowledge that finding a new job or career requires significant activity on your part, especially if you’re in an industry that has recently experienced significant layoffs. Downsizing and layoffs flood the market with talent. Do this: Set a daily goal for how many positions you will apply to, and no matter how discouraging the process may be, hold yourself accountable to achieving that goal. Hiring is a numbers game. The more activity and effort you put forth, the faster you will achieve results.

3. Check your settings to become an expert on any job platform you use 

All job platforms and job boards have specific best practices and functionality. If you as a job seeker are going to use a platform to find a new job, you should know how it works inside and out. For example, Indeed doesn’t allow talent recruiters to see or access your contact information unless you apply for a job or click the “I’m interested” button. And LinkedIn doesn’t automatically send messages to your email unless you configure your LinkedIn notifications to do so. It’s important to understand your chosen hiring platforms and configure the settings to best suit your job search and the results of your efforts.

4. Perfect your resume 

Since your resume is your brand and the first thing a hiring manager or recruiter sees when you submit a job application, you must ensure that it flawlessly represents your professional accomplishments, skill sets, and work history. We have some great resume tips available at Goodwin Recruiting. Feel free to reach out to me for guidance.

5. Answer the phone – and do it with a smile 

A few months back, I had a candidate who missed a call from a hiring manager. The candidate tried to call back, but the hiring manager had already contacted and fallen in love with the next candidate. The missed call was a missed opportunity. This may be an extreme example, but it happens. Normally, calling back promptly is completely acceptable; however, candidates who screen calls, refuse to answer calls from numbers they don’t recognize, and fail to check voicemail are at a significant disadvantage compared to those who answer the phone while they’re searching for a new job. 

6. Tap into your network for connections to hiring companies 

When you find a job opening that sparks your interest, see if anyone in your personal or professional network has a connection with that business or a relationship with someone who works there. Referrals often help job seekers get their applications seen by the right people, and even better, they lead to introductions that result in job interviews and hiring.

7. Know the market and constantly evaluate your search strategy 

Post-pandemic, after staffing levels had been cut back at companies everywhere, many employers substantially increased salary ranges to staff back up. Companies also introduced more remote or hybrid work options and created new incentives to entice talent to join their companies. However, we’re seeing a market correction with many companies reducing salary ranges or implementing return-to-office initiatives. Throughout your job-hunting process, it’s important to constantly evaluate your personal wants and needs against what is currently prevalent in the job market. Determine what trade-offs, if any, are appropriate or acceptable to you.

8. Don’t allow discouragement creep in 

When I was a job candidate, there was a season when I found myself so discouraged by constant rejections that it made me question my value and worth as a professional. This sense of discouragement was a blow to my confidence, resulting in not performing as well as I could have during job interviews. Again, I understand and empathize with candidates who are experiencing this in today’s challenging job market. Remember that there are countless reasons why candidates are rejected, and many of those reasons have nothing to do with the candidates themselves. Also remember that every rejection gets you closer to where you want to be. 

Decide now to be committed, confident, and strong

Finding a job can be tough, but if you stay committed to creating your own success, you will find the role and company culture that are right for you! Feel free to contact me for additional advice on how to find and land a great job.