5 Steps to Finding a Job
25 February 2013
Read by 2055 persons
Finding a job is a project in itself, almost a job… It requires multiple skills, immense willpower, rigor and perspicacity. At the very least.
It is, indeed, essential to organize oneself in order to be, at the same time, project manager, salesperson, customer… etc.
Here are five of the main steps to follow to find a job.
1. Redefine your professional project.
It seems that the most complex step to manage is, undeniably, the first one, as it requires from the candidate an excellent awareness and knowledge of his professional career, the skills he possesses and has acquired along the way, and his career, or even life, goals…
Try to forget for a few moments your CV and concentrate on your experience and your dearest wishes in terms of work. Be as honest as possible, rediscover yourself.
Here is a useful exercise to get to know yourself better: with a piece of paper, write down the different achievements you have had the opportunity to implement during your different experiences and specify their frequency, your level of responsibility, competence and your willingness to organize this type of operation in your next job. You will thus more easily determine the type of job you are looking for and the main arguments you will put forward during your future applications.
2. Identify the needs of recruiters.
Of course, it is imperative to know oneself and to know where one wants to go, but it is also essential to master the world of the company that attracts you, as well as the needs and constraints of recruiters. Indeed, how can you respond to a need that has not been identified?
Therefore, do not hesitate to regularly browse specialized press, to attend related trade shows and to communicate with your network.
3. Prepare your application.
This is the most obvious step in your job search and the one that is generally best understood. Creating your application file means creating (or undoing and redoing) your CV and writing your cover letter. Then, you will prepare your job interview.
4. Network.
All your efforts are useful in the context of a job search that interests you. Do not lose sight of the fact that, beyond your efforts for identified offers and your unsolicited applications for particularly motivating companies and positions, one of the best ways to discover new opportunities is and remains networking. Whether it is your real or virtual network, this is the time to call on it, with politeness and confidence, to make yourself known and/or to remind everyone of you through blogs and various professional networks.
5. Stay up-to-date and always ready.
Being alert, attentive, listening, reading, watching, that's what you're going to do during this very special time of your job search, but don't forget that it's useless to watch for opportunities if all your tools aren't sharpened and you're not psychologically ready to act, react and jump. Keep your CV up-to-date, do some good monitoring on attractive sectors and take care of your human network, even when you are employed. This is the best way to find before even having to find…!
It is, indeed, essential to organize oneself in order to be, at the same time, project manager, salesperson, customer… etc.
Here are five of the main steps to follow to find a job.
1. Redefine your professional project.
It seems that the most complex step to manage is, undeniably, the first one, as it requires from the candidate an excellent awareness and knowledge of his professional career, the skills he possesses and has acquired along the way, and his career, or even life, goals…
Try to forget for a few moments your CV and concentrate on your experience and your dearest wishes in terms of work. Be as honest as possible, rediscover yourself.
Here is a useful exercise to get to know yourself better: with a piece of paper, write down the different achievements you have had the opportunity to implement during your different experiences and specify their frequency, your level of responsibility, competence and your willingness to organize this type of operation in your next job. You will thus more easily determine the type of job you are looking for and the main arguments you will put forward during your future applications.
2. Identify the needs of recruiters.
Of course, it is imperative to know oneself and to know where one wants to go, but it is also essential to master the world of the company that attracts you, as well as the needs and constraints of recruiters. Indeed, how can you respond to a need that has not been identified?
Therefore, do not hesitate to regularly browse specialized press, to attend related trade shows and to communicate with your network.
3. Prepare your application.
This is the most obvious step in your job search and the one that is generally best understood. Creating your application file means creating (or undoing and redoing) your CV and writing your cover letter. Then, you will prepare your job interview.
4. Network.
All your efforts are useful in the context of a job search that interests you. Do not lose sight of the fact that, beyond your efforts for identified offers and your unsolicited applications for particularly motivating companies and positions, one of the best ways to discover new opportunities is and remains networking. Whether it is your real or virtual network, this is the time to call on it, with politeness and confidence, to make yourself known and/or to remind everyone of you through blogs and various professional networks.
5. Stay up-to-date and always ready.
Being alert, attentive, listening, reading, watching, that's what you're going to do during this very special time of your job search, but don't forget that it's useless to watch for opportunities if all your tools aren't sharpened and you're not psychologically ready to act, react and jump. Keep your CV up-to-date, do some good monitoring on attractive sectors and take care of your human network, even when you are employed. This is the best way to find before even having to find…!
