How to Find a Job in 2021: The Ultimate Guide to Job Hunting
As the year comes to an end and we look forward to 2021, it is time to take stock of your life and establish what is working and what isn’t. One of the things you may find yourself re-evaluating is your career and your employment situation. If you are not satisfied with your employment situation for one reason or another, you might want to start looking for a new job. Given that every job situation is different, this article, with the help of the subject matter experts over at runrex.com, will look to tackle a few different job search options for the ultimate guide to job hunting.
How to Find a Job Online
The first option we are going to consider is the online option, particularly as the internet is the first place that a modern job seeker looks when looking for a job. One thing that has to be said is that you need to be careful that you don’t end up applying for jobs exclusively online as you might just end up waiting forever before landing a job as discussed over at guttulus.com. The following are some of the hacks that will help you find a job online:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter
Many job boards, as discussed over at runrex.com, send resumes into an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) when you apply for a job online. One hack that will help you beat the ATS is making sure that you tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific requirements of that specific job.
- Use relevant keywords
Also, according to the gurus over at guttulus.com, you should do your research and find relevant keywords for the job you want and use them in your resume which will help a recruiter scan your resume easily. Adding relevant keywords will help the ATS send your resume to the hiring manager.
- Be selective
You should also avoid applying to jobs indiscriminately, which can be a temptation when looking for a job online. Instead, only apply to jobs where you are sure you meet the position’s requirements to give yourself a chance of landing an interview.
How to Find a Job through Connections
According to discussions over at runrex.com, about 70-80% of jobs ate filled through some means of networking. Given how expensive and time-consuming the hiring process can be, most companies will always find the option of finding a qualified applicant through a current employee an attractive one. If you are looking to find a job in 2021 through your connections, here are a few hacks to consider.
- Utilize your connections
You need to take full advantage of your network if you are to get a job through your connections. This includes social media, particularly given that every social platform has some form of private messaging. Reach out to your friends who work at the company you are interested in, and so forth as discussed over at guttulus.com.
- Get to know your contacts
It will be easier for you to ask your contacts for help if you know them well. According to the gurus over at runrex.com, networking isn’t all about collecting a mass of contacts but making sure you are well connected to your contacts. Show interest in the people you already know and build tighter, and more personal bonds, and you will find that your network becomes more valuable to you.
- Be respectful, kind, and gracious
When reaching out to your contacts with messages, it is important to be personal, respectful, and gracious as discussed over at guttulus.com. Nurture your contacts as potential allies and show them they are more than just scalps and they will respond in kind, helping you land the job you have been looking for.
How to Find a Job in a New City
If you are looking to move in 2021 for one reason or another and are, therefore, looking for a job in a new city, then it is important to note that job searching in a new city can have its own set of challenges. Here are some of the tips to consider when looking for a job in a new city.
- Be honest about relocating
According to the experts over at runrex.com, this is one of the most important tips when looking for a job in a new city. This is because, while a local address might help you get a job in a new city, if you lie and give a local address but you don’t live in that area, and a potential employer finds out, then it could damage your prospects of getting the job as you will appear dishonest. Therefore, be honest in your application process about relocation.
- Prepare and be available to interview
Also, as discussed over at guttulus.com, you must have the flexibility to be able to get there quickly when invited for an out-of-town interview. This is because if you can’t get there when interviews are scheduled, you may not be considered for the job. Therefore, unless you are being actively recruited, always be prepared to pay your own travel expenses and even line up the best modes of transportation in advance so you are ready and prepared to book travel when you get that email or call to come for an interview.
How to Find a Job in a New Field
Another scenario we are going to consider is one involving looking for a job in a new field. If you are looking to switch career paths in 2021, here are a few tips that will help you in what can be a daunting process.
- Consider freelance work
One way you can transition and find a job in a new field is by considering freelance work in your desired field as discussed over at runrex.com. You can find lots of freelance projects on sites like Upwork and Fiverr where you can go and pick up a couple of jobs and start building your portfolio, and once you have built a strong enough body of work, they may be in a position to start applying to jobs in your new field.
- Use your cover letter to tell your story
According to the experts over at guttulus.com, you should also be upfront in your application process within a new industry. When you are applying for jobs in a new industry, you should outline your new journey in your cover letter and use the time and space to illustrate why your experience is a bit different from the other applicants. This could make for an interesting cover letter which could just be the thing that gets you through the door.
- Get certified
Also, if your new job field requires specific certifications, then you will still need to get those even if you network with the right people. Getting the necessary certifications will show that you are serious about the new job field and will give you the skills and knowledge required to thrive there as is discussed over at runrex.com.
The discussion above only just begins to scratch the surface as far as job hunting is concerned, and you can uncover more insights on the same by checking out the excellent runrex.com and guttulus.com.