The variety of jobs offered in the labor market is huge. Recruiters literally hunt for professionals, especially in the industries with dramatic shortages.
For job seekers, this is quite a challenge as well. Choosing the best job among such a skyrocketing number of options is not that easy. In this case, apart from considering industry-specific details and salary, one should pay attention to the company’s mission and values. It’s hard to work in an environment completely foreign to you even if the income is great.
This is why when selecting job offerings and working on your job application, be aware of your strengths, weaknesses, and expectations. You should look for a perfect match. Otherwise, you may end up disappointed.
Here are a couple of tips that might be useful if you don’t know how to pick the right job:
Switch “job search” mode on
A great offer may come from your former colleagues, friends, or family members. You may be approached at a conference or workshop. A recruiter may find your profile on LinkedIn and offer the job of your dream.
Therefore, you’d better be ready for it. Keep a bot-beating resume and a cover letter draft ready. If you hesitate about your job application package and its quality, search for professional resume builder service to get professional help.
The goal is to be prepared for what life throws at you. If your skills are in high demand, you’ll be approached by more people than you can think of.
Become active on social media and network
To find the best offer, let your industry know that you are open to jobs. How would recruiters and hiring managers know that you are searching if you don’t tell them? Be active on your LinkedIn to let others know what you are looking for.
Create a professional profile for yourself so that employer reps and recruiting firms know what you are worth. List your achievements and goals and create a pool of job offers that come to you. In any case, it’s you who decides to take an offer, so wait and search for a perfect match.
Filter job postings in the market
Applying for every job posting that distantly meets your criteria is a wrong strategy. Instead of sending out your resume to a hundred companies, choose a few that you really find the best.
Take your time to study the market before you send your resume. You don’t have to send out your resume to every company in the field. Just as well you don’t have to accept the first job offer you get. Be critical. Invest in your career right now to save more of your time later.
Think of an ideal job and employer for yourself
If you don’t have a clear understanding of what the best job is for you, you may not land the right one. It’s really hard to pick the best option if you don’t know what to look for.
Sit down and spare some time to create a profile of an ideal job for you. Do not forget that it should include your ideas about the workplace, colleagues, employers, and so on.
Define what leadership style appeals to you. How much you’d like to be empowered. Such things really affect your job satisfaction.
List things that you advocate for
You can’t function properly in an environment where people do not share your values at all. There must be a coincidence in how you and your team see work processes, collaboration, leadership, and so on. If you can’t bridge gaps, you can hardly fit in.
Also, learn about the company’s values and principles. If you’re required to sell cigarettes when you absolutely detest smoking, you won’t feel happy doing this job.
This is the most obvious example; yet, there are many other similar cases when people burn out simply because they don’t share the company’s values.
Learn to assess and sell your skills
When choosing the best job, you need to learn to evaluate your skill set and sell it to a potential employer. This is about your feeling worthy and your self-esteem. Stop thinking that it’s only you who needs a job. A person in front of you is also in desperate need of a highly qualified employee.
As soon as you learn to assess your value and your contribution to a company adequately, you won’t agree to jobs that do not meet your criteria. Knowing that your skills are in high demand will definitely boost your self-esteem. This realization is critical for you if you want to choose the right path.
Negotiate your salary
When choosing a great place of work, it’s essential to analyze your career and salary expectations. You need to know how much money you need to cover your bills and how much of an increase you are willing to negotiate.
A new job is always an opportunity to earn more. Thus, many people who think they have found a great job, reject it when they hear about salary. However, as soon as you hear a figure which is lower than your expectations, do not give up on the offer. Try to negotiate a salary increase by referencing your accomplishments and work experience.
You don’t have to agree to lesser job offers. Yet, what if you lose your chance to land a dream job by not even letting them know of your expectations?