Job Hunting Strategies

 

Job hunting – applying for job opening one after another yet did not get any responses. What could have happen back-end? Job openings are being snagged by internal referred candidates? Are you not going for the right jobs with your skills?

It is never about hoping to get calls for interviews anymore. It doesn’t just work by waiting… Job hunters got to make sure that you use various methods to stand out from the crowd.

Fret not, make sure you stand tall above the job-seeking crowd, and below are some ways that can help you in achieving a quicker success rate during your job hunting process.

Aim for the Right Jobs

Your current position and experiences should better somewhere relevant in the job market. Do your own researches before you start applying for jobs - Match your skills, interests and job exposures to the right career choice and the companies’ requirements. There are many factors that you can look at, for example, your experiences have equipped you with the right skills to move up the next level in your career path. You have intended to look for a higher job title or salary, you should not send out your resume aimlessly, even when you see that the salary does not match you.

Create a searchable social media profile

In our era of technology, recruiters rely a lot on social media and technology platforms to source and look out for potential candidates. Of course, this does not deter recruiters from forgetting about human touch. LinkedIn is one of the platforms that recruiters are engaging with candidates these days. Unless you are not expecting any contacts to get in touch with you, please always keep your job portal profiles visible for all. You will never know what good deals or great opportunities might come your way.

Expand your network

Just by applying on job portals is not sufficient in the market nowadays. Expand your network and get your words around your trusted friends and colleagues that you are on a lookout. They can be the ones who might even recommend greater jobs to you.

Be proactive

It is no longer in the era that the longer you wait; the better ones will come your way. You have to fight for what you want. You have to send reminder emails or even a second email so that the employers will be able to take notice of your email. While you are assertive and proactive in getting in contact with the recruiters or employers, this increases your chance and also says something about you, and your eagerness in getting into the job.

Leave your job gracefully and responsibly

There are many reasons why a person leaves the job. There could be reason that you have a better offer from competitors, you have grown to dislike the current environment or perhaps, you feel that you’re ready for the next role… Whichever your reasons of leaving may be, always remember not to burn bridges.

The first thing is to bring across your resignation to your boss. You must react and break the news to your employer in a professional way. It is imperative to leave your job on a high note, and should not impact your future career negatively.

Don’t slack off during your notice period

You want to give your best till your last day at work. Use that notice period, limited days left, to complete the projects you have on hand. Never tell yourself that your days at work is numbered and you should just leave your work alone. Your uncompleted tasks would mean that you might jeopardized a good referee to your future employers, and tarnish your reputation.

Assist in transition

Plan through a proper transition to your replacement. It is important that you hand over your tasks or duties properly. Even if you do not have a replacement reaching your last few days of your employment, you should prepare a detailed handover list or instructions for the transition. You do not want to leave the job and your successor goes around putting comments that you did not provide the details. It would be good to create a daily work tasks and sit down with your managers on the delegation of the uncompleted tasks so you can hand over before your last day.

Don’t burn bridges

Do not leave the job looking too excited. You might make people envious thinking that they are in a very bad environment now.

Resist badmouthing your current environment or colleagues to anyone and no matter how bad it could be, you might just want to leave the job quietly. You never know if you never return or work with the same company again.

BE prepared for exit interview

As much as you have grievances in why some people leave a job, remember that you should keep exit interview professional. You know information are never exactly confidential, as much you the exit interview is conducted with HR personnel and not your direct superior. However, if there are information that can help the company improve areas that they are lacking of, it would be helpful for them.

Overworked?

The truth is, we all are. The never-ending emails which require some form of actions on our end, and the amount of time each effort requires makes us constantly drained at work. Sometimes, the stress could be reduced by asking colleagues for assistance, but you feel it will be a move that is constantly frowned upon by others.

The fact is people are willing to help – but this comes as a disclaimer that only if you show you have put in adequate effort into your work. You must think about these few pointers before proceeding with simple delegation.

WHICH TASK TO ASSIGN

You might want to assign tasks that are very simple but administrative. This times up a lot of your personal time at work. These tasks are best as they do not require complicated instructions or constant supervision. You would not want to assign tasks that your other colleagues constantly ask you questions because they are unsure of the instructions.

COMMUNCIATE WHAT YOU NEED

If you have already decided to ask a colleague, you must communicate what you need very clearly. If you have not communicated clearly enough, it might result in duplicate work. If someone has decided to help you, you can do away with less formalities by “Would you be able to help me”. These choices of words might seem like an option to the one receiving the instructions.

BE RECEPTIVE

You might only want a colleague to help you, but if they have shared that they too lack the time to assist you or they shared they might not be the best person to help you but recommend someone else – you might want to give it a go with that someone as well.

Job applicants for fresh graduates

You have just graduated, thinking that opportunities are limitless. You walk up the stage, shook hands with the school representative, collected the scroll thinking this is the start of something for you. However, when you are home applying for jobs, you see most of the jobs are requiring experience since we are in the knowledge based economy.

How are you going to get any job exposure if you are not able to attain the entry level positions? Who is going to give you the chance?

Here are some tips to get you started

JUST APPLY

Of course, this is not to apply for every job listed on the job portal. If you have seen any roles and responsibilities on job portals that you would be keen to explore the roles and responsibilities with, you should just apply. Do not be taken aback by the years of experience because you might just need the one chance of interview to impress the interviewers.

While reading the job description, tune the perspective towards instead of thinking of it as a requirement, but as a wish list of the hiring manager. The general rule of thumb is that if it is an 70% fit of requirement, you may proceed to go ahead and apply for the job.

INDICATE YOUR SKILL SET

You will need to upsell your resume by indicating your skill sets – especially if you are aware that the position would lead to many job applications with experience. This is fundamental for your employer to see your skill set and abilities, to understand how it will be able to complement the job requirements.

It is important to include your internships, or projects where you have worked with Companies as all these are included in your skills set. If you have a referral based on your past internship, do include in your resume as well.

SHOW YOUR SINCERITY

Throw in a cover letter, and not just uploading a resume. After submitting the application via the job portal, it would also be good to send a personalized email to the hiring manager to explain how you are keen on the job and how you are able to convince him that you are the best person for the job although you might not have experience. If you do, you might even stand a higher chance in comparison to someone who might have the experience.

How to assist your colleague during their challenging times

We always say that it is good to separate work from personal issues, but we also know and understand that it is not always possible. While handling Human Resources must be an objective approach, we must always remember that we are still handling people. It is good to strike the correct balance between empathetic, yet objective.

These are things you could help your employees going through a tough time. 

SETTING YOUR CULTURE RIGHT

If you think that your colleagues are going to approach you to share their problems when you have been nasty throughout the entire year, you’re wrong. You might even be the last person that they want you to be aware of their personal issues.

You must start it right by being seem as approachable and making the extra effort to be approachable and non-judgemental. By constantly engaging your peers, it will also be easier for you to take notice when you know that something is not right with them and you can approach and then lend your listening ears.

LISTEN AND SET THE CORRECT TONE

When someone is sharing their challenging times with you, you should not be asking too many private questions that one might be unwilling to share. You might want to give them the opportunity to share with you, if you’re willing. Do not be quick to provide advice or solutions – they could just need a listening ear.

SHOW YOU CARE

Not about your business, or your daily operations – but about your colleagues. Imagine after hearing about their personal issues and asking them “I understand, but how will this help you focus at work?” – how would your colleagues feel?

The questions you can ask could be “How can we assist or support you during this critical period of time?” to show you care more about their feelings and understanding what their thoughts process are.

Do your follow up with your employees if you know they are going a tough time. Conversations like this is not concluded over one time. Remind them you are available to listen when any more issues happen.

BE OBJECTIVE

The rule of the thumb is still not to be over empathetic. You would want to clear about your company policies and understand any restrictions before over promising or committing yourself to their recommendations. If you need to check and get approval, you can explain you’ll need to check before committing. You would not want a situation where you promise and not deliver.

How to overcome challenges during your first day of work

On your first day of work, you need to step out of your comfort zone. Being in your previous job was your comfort zone where you were comfortable with your colleagues, your assignments, your routine at work as knew the working style of your colleagues.

On your first day, you might not be very sure with regards to what you were supposed to be doing, and assignments with very short deadline could have been thrown to you.

Here are some tips to overcome that.

ENJOY THE PROCESS

We all must start from somewhere. You must understand that during your previous job, the transitioning process was not that easy as well. When you are experiencing discomfort, it means you are challenging yourself, and are progressing. You are also likely a skill which makes you feel incompetent for now, but you must keep reminding yourself that it is all right.

ASK FOR HELP AND ACCEPT IT

This is crucial because it makes more sense to shout for help in the initial stages in comparison to shouting for help a few months down the road when people assumed you should be well familiar with it. It is acceptable for you to put your pride aside and ask for help from someone who have done it before. Do not assume your colleagues are too busy to help you in transition because as the saying goes – never ask never to know.

When you ask, you also gradually build relationships among your colleague. An intelligent person would make use of the resources instead of just self-reliance.

DON’T GIVE UP

Gradually, it will get better. The starting is always the most challenging, but you will get there one day. You will likely be very uncertain, hence not very comfortable in speaking up during meetings or unsure of how is the best approach to handle your boss.

PATIENCE IS KEY

Being in the highly competitive society, one would always stop and consider on whether is one doing well compared to other peers. You get competitive or would feel unjust when one person who have graduated with you has attained a higher position in her individual’s career. You start to wonder if your career progression is too slow.

At times, you wonder if what you are doing is enough or whether are you in the right company who recognizes your effort enough? Generally, the higher your expectations, the greater the fall when it is not met.

Generally, it is important you enjoy the journey and not the destination. We should all learn to appreciate the small progression and strides we make during the climb of the corporate ladder. Because no matter how fast your peer’s progression is, it takes time and it will consist of multiple attempts and failures.

PATIENCE IS GOOD WHEN YOU HELP IN PROCRESS IMPROVEMENTS

When you feel that the current system is too slow or too many steps, and you seek to create process improvement, this is good, and this can help you with your career progression. Let your impatience question process that are inefficient and ineffective, be it whether your direct change or you could engage a productive conversation with someone involved to make it more effective at work.

PATIENT IS BAD WHEN YOU ARE IMPATIENT WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES

Doing follow up to remind your colleagues on tasks they need to complete is good, if you are not a nag. People generally do not like working with people who are impatient and are constantly sending chasers for an update.

As much as you want to attain your deliverables, you should plan your deliverables where there is enough time for your co-workers to do something and communicate to them on when is the deadline. If there is no submission, then should proceed to enquire and follow up.

PATIENT IS GOOD WHEN IT MAKES YOU PROACTIVE

If your colleagues are not able to deliver what they are expected to, it will be good if you focus on what you can do and help in comparison to when you are waiting for the deliverables, which in turn affect your performance.

It is also good if you are eager to help another colleague out as well, when you know the other colleague has a lot of tasks assigned. Being proactive helps you to learn and progress as an individual. It makes you constantly challenge yourself, and eventually lead to a better you.

It really reflects well if you go ahead and ask your manager on whether are there anymore responsibilities you can take to learn and progress with the Company, instead of asking your manager on when would your next promotion be.

PATIENCE IS BAD WHEN YOU ARE PROGRESSING WHEN YOU ARE NOT READY

You must set reasonable targets, because there is no way of getting a progression when you are merely 6 months into the job, or getting a pay raise. You might have heard from your other peers that they have attained the progression, but you must remind yourself that you must EARN the progression by showing you are ready to progress into the new role.

It is most definitely better when you take on the role only when you are ready, if not you will just be taking the role with more responsibilities and not be able to deliver to your stakeholders.

4 Things to do before your first day of work the next day

It is the night before your first day of work at your new workplace the next day. You are going to sleep with much anticipation, and you figure whether on is there anything you have not yet prepared.

These are the things you should have done before starting work the next day.

WEAR SOMETHING YOU ARE CONFIDENT IN

You do not have to go on a shopping frenzy and purchase a new outfit to feel good the very next day. That is not the correct approach. You are going to be overwhelmed with many new things the very next day so what you need to have is something you are comfortable, yet confident in.

You would not want to wear new shoes, and limp because of the blisters on your second day. Prepare this chosen special outfit the night before so you would not be rushing off the next morning.

DO NOT PACK YOUR LUNCH

Your first day of work is likely going to be you meeting your new colleagues for the very first time. This lunch is crucial, and you would not want to be a wet blanket by informing your new colleagues that you have already packed lunch and you would give socializing with them a miss. It either shows to them you have no interest in knowing them, or you are sitting in a high and mighty place.

THINK ABOUT YOUR CONVERSATION STARTERS

You should start considering what has been interesting in your life lately that you might want to share, or try to understand what do you think your colleagues would be interested in. Think of how to engage or have enjoyable conversation starters – whether is it your favourite drama, or recent happenings.

BE SUPER EARLY

When you are the first in office, you can see fresh faces who are coming into work. These are the people that you will likely going to be working with. It also gives a very good impression to your boss that you are ready to go beyond what is expected.

Imagine rushing to work on your very first day, and all your new colleagues would get to see you panic with a head full of perspiration. You should be totally calm on your first day of work to land the great impression.

REMEMBER WHY YOU ACCEPTED THE ROLE

To constantly remind yourself when the going got tough. Remember the steep learning curve ahead of you, and constantly remind yourself that everyone must start from somewhere. Scribble this down in your notebook on your first day of work and get ready for the ride!