Your friends and acquaintances are key in your job search
Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 10:52 am
Finding a job can be difficult. Sometimes it can take several months to find a job, and this can test our motivation. That's why it's important to put aside the elements that are beyond our control and focus on the things that are in our hands.
In this sense, having a plan for the job search helps a lot. Not only because it makes it more likely that we will find a job, but also because it reminds us that we are doing everything possible and thus we do not get discouraged.
Where to start a job search plan?
Just like when planning a project, the first step in writing a job search plan is to analyze the general situation, our profile and establish some objectives. The following steps will be determined by the actions we take to reach those objectives.
Analyze the labor market situation.
There are many ways to take the pulse of the labor market, for example:
Keep an eye on job portals . By periodically checking the job offers posted on these portals, we can find out what the most common training and experience requirements are in our sector of interest.
Set up alerts on Google that inform us when content containing the keywords we are interested in is published. These keywords can include the name of the desired position.
You can also refer to reports from temporary employment agencies . These reports usually include which employment sectors are most active.
Analyze our professional profile.
Once the situation of the sector has been analysed, the next step is to analyse ourselves and identify our strengths and weaknesses, for example with a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Threats):
D To know what we need to improve
What external factor hinders our job search?
F What we stand out at, what makes us different from the rest.
Or what external situation could we take advantage of.
Knowing your main strengths and weaknesses is especially important when looking for a job. In fact, we are often asked about them during interviews . That is why it is important to have analysed them beforehand and have prepared a short list of the two or three that you want to highlight.
Strengths are the backbone of a personal brand . As for weaknesses, they help convey that we know ourselves and have a spirit of improvement.
Objectives, strategy and action plan in the job search:
Following the classic structure of project planning, the next steps would be to define our objectives and plan how to achieve them. In order to be useful, objectives must be specific and achievable within a specific period of time.
Some objectives could be for example:
Take an opportunity to overcome a weakness at least once a year.
Participate in at least one selection test per month.
Have a conversation with someone in the industry at least once a week.
Once the objectives have been defined, the ideal is to establish a series of strategies on which the actions to be carried out are based, providing coherence and coordination between them to achieve these objectives.
We recommend these 5 Strategies to make your job search effective:
1. Participate in a career guidance program.
Several organizations such as the SEPE offer career guidance programs . In these programs, you make an appointment and a specialist studies your specific case, explaining the aid to which you are entitled or the employability programs that are having the most success. At the very least, it is a good way to get your bearings when you don't know where to start your job search. In these programs, they can help you research companies in the sector that interests you the most and send personalized requests to their HR departments.
When you don't know where to start your job search, consult a specialist
2. Join a professional association.
Many courses have professional associations that bring together members of the sector. While the orientation programmes of the Sepe and universities offer general information, the associations are better informed about job offers in the sector and the geographical area in which they operate. Sometimes being a member even gives us access to exclusive job boards.
Although membership in a professional association requires a fee, this is usually lower for unemployed members. Therefore, the advantages in job searches far outweigh this inconvenience.
3. Have a wide network of contacts.
“It's not what you know but who you know”. Having a wide network of friends and acquaintances who know that we are looking for work can be a great help in finding out about job offers. In addition, these contacts can serve as a cover letter in the selection process.
In any case, when you are unemployed it is important to talk to people and train your social skills. Companies are increasingly placing greater importance on social skills and teamwork. Therefore, becoming more comfortable when talking to others can be a great help in overcoming group dynamics and personal interviews.
Nowadays, keeping in touch with the most relevant people in our sector is easier than ever thanks to social networks . That is why it is so important to take care of our Facebook, Twitter and especially LinkedIn profiles during the job search. Expand your network of contacts by following people of interest and commenting on their posts.
4. Attend events and job fairs.
Through our network of contacts or Google alerts we will often find out list of usa cell phone numbers about events related to our sector. For example, job fairs, talks or conferences.
Companies and professionals who participate in these events usually announce them on their social networks. Another reason to use the networks to focus on our sector and follow the most relevant figures. It is good to confirm attendance at these events, both through networks and to the organization that organizes them, especially if places are limited.
Once at the event, it is usually useful to bring material to write down the tips and information that interest us the most. It is also not a bad idea to bring business cards, however printed CVs will be less useful since attendees tend not to accept them in hand, which is logical given how cumbersome it would be. Instead, it is more important to make a good impression by participating actively and exchanging contact addresses to which a cover letter with the CV attached can be sent.
5. Recycle and acquire transversal skills.
If we don't get any results in our job search, it may be because we are looking for a position that is too specific or because that specific sector is not very well-renewable at the moment. Some professional sectors may even be completely replaced as technology advances.
To deal with this situation, it is always useful to increase our training. There are many alternatives to complement it : Master's courses, vocational training, or training for employment are some examples. The organization of these training activities is very variable, there are many options and they are very flexible, in schedules and teaching methods, carefully look for the one that best suits you.
As for the cost of this training, there is also a wide range. One of the most affordable options is free courses for the unemployed . An effective and simple way to help us in our job search.
After outlining the general strategies, the details of the action plan are finalised, for example by drawing up a calendar. It is good to set a schedule when looking for work. It is easier to get used to tasks that require effort if they are part of a routine.
This routine doesn't have to be monotonous. It's important to vary your activities to avoid getting tired. For example, you can spread out different tasks throughout the week, dedicating at least one day to rest. An unrealistic workload is not sustainable in the long term and can undermine our motivation.
In this sense, having a plan for the job search helps a lot. Not only because it makes it more likely that we will find a job, but also because it reminds us that we are doing everything possible and thus we do not get discouraged.
Where to start a job search plan?
Just like when planning a project, the first step in writing a job search plan is to analyze the general situation, our profile and establish some objectives. The following steps will be determined by the actions we take to reach those objectives.
Analyze the labor market situation.
There are many ways to take the pulse of the labor market, for example:
Keep an eye on job portals . By periodically checking the job offers posted on these portals, we can find out what the most common training and experience requirements are in our sector of interest.
Set up alerts on Google that inform us when content containing the keywords we are interested in is published. These keywords can include the name of the desired position.
You can also refer to reports from temporary employment agencies . These reports usually include which employment sectors are most active.
Analyze our professional profile.
Once the situation of the sector has been analysed, the next step is to analyse ourselves and identify our strengths and weaknesses, for example with a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Threats):
D To know what we need to improve
What external factor hinders our job search?
F What we stand out at, what makes us different from the rest.
Or what external situation could we take advantage of.
Knowing your main strengths and weaknesses is especially important when looking for a job. In fact, we are often asked about them during interviews . That is why it is important to have analysed them beforehand and have prepared a short list of the two or three that you want to highlight.
Strengths are the backbone of a personal brand . As for weaknesses, they help convey that we know ourselves and have a spirit of improvement.
Objectives, strategy and action plan in the job search:
Following the classic structure of project planning, the next steps would be to define our objectives and plan how to achieve them. In order to be useful, objectives must be specific and achievable within a specific period of time.
Some objectives could be for example:
Take an opportunity to overcome a weakness at least once a year.
Participate in at least one selection test per month.
Have a conversation with someone in the industry at least once a week.
Once the objectives have been defined, the ideal is to establish a series of strategies on which the actions to be carried out are based, providing coherence and coordination between them to achieve these objectives.
We recommend these 5 Strategies to make your job search effective:
1. Participate in a career guidance program.
Several organizations such as the SEPE offer career guidance programs . In these programs, you make an appointment and a specialist studies your specific case, explaining the aid to which you are entitled or the employability programs that are having the most success. At the very least, it is a good way to get your bearings when you don't know where to start your job search. In these programs, they can help you research companies in the sector that interests you the most and send personalized requests to their HR departments.
When you don't know where to start your job search, consult a specialist
2. Join a professional association.
Many courses have professional associations that bring together members of the sector. While the orientation programmes of the Sepe and universities offer general information, the associations are better informed about job offers in the sector and the geographical area in which they operate. Sometimes being a member even gives us access to exclusive job boards.
Although membership in a professional association requires a fee, this is usually lower for unemployed members. Therefore, the advantages in job searches far outweigh this inconvenience.
3. Have a wide network of contacts.
“It's not what you know but who you know”. Having a wide network of friends and acquaintances who know that we are looking for work can be a great help in finding out about job offers. In addition, these contacts can serve as a cover letter in the selection process.
In any case, when you are unemployed it is important to talk to people and train your social skills. Companies are increasingly placing greater importance on social skills and teamwork. Therefore, becoming more comfortable when talking to others can be a great help in overcoming group dynamics and personal interviews.
Nowadays, keeping in touch with the most relevant people in our sector is easier than ever thanks to social networks . That is why it is so important to take care of our Facebook, Twitter and especially LinkedIn profiles during the job search. Expand your network of contacts by following people of interest and commenting on their posts.
4. Attend events and job fairs.
Through our network of contacts or Google alerts we will often find out list of usa cell phone numbers about events related to our sector. For example, job fairs, talks or conferences.
Companies and professionals who participate in these events usually announce them on their social networks. Another reason to use the networks to focus on our sector and follow the most relevant figures. It is good to confirm attendance at these events, both through networks and to the organization that organizes them, especially if places are limited.
Once at the event, it is usually useful to bring material to write down the tips and information that interest us the most. It is also not a bad idea to bring business cards, however printed CVs will be less useful since attendees tend not to accept them in hand, which is logical given how cumbersome it would be. Instead, it is more important to make a good impression by participating actively and exchanging contact addresses to which a cover letter with the CV attached can be sent.
5. Recycle and acquire transversal skills.
If we don't get any results in our job search, it may be because we are looking for a position that is too specific or because that specific sector is not very well-renewable at the moment. Some professional sectors may even be completely replaced as technology advances.
To deal with this situation, it is always useful to increase our training. There are many alternatives to complement it : Master's courses, vocational training, or training for employment are some examples. The organization of these training activities is very variable, there are many options and they are very flexible, in schedules and teaching methods, carefully look for the one that best suits you.
As for the cost of this training, there is also a wide range. One of the most affordable options is free courses for the unemployed . An effective and simple way to help us in our job search.
After outlining the general strategies, the details of the action plan are finalised, for example by drawing up a calendar. It is good to set a schedule when looking for work. It is easier to get used to tasks that require effort if they are part of a routine.
This routine doesn't have to be monotonous. It's important to vary your activities to avoid getting tired. For example, you can spread out different tasks throughout the week, dedicating at least one day to rest. An unrealistic workload is not sustainable in the long term and can undermine our motivation.