Tips for Maximizing Efficiency and Minimizing Stress in your Job Search
On the hunt for a new job? While job searching can seem like a daunting task, with contradicting advice everywhere you look and the thought of competing with hundreds of other applicants for one open position, there are several ways to minimize stress and maximize efficiency in your search. Whether you are just starting your job search or looking for ways to improve your current strategy, it’s important to be prepared and organized so that you set yourself up for success. Now is a great time for job seekers to apply for their desired positions, and with the right foundation and knowledge, the process will be that much smoother and will guide you down a new and rewarding career path.
Before beginning your job search, it is important to fine tune your resume. While your resume should be visually appealing, the content of your resume is the most crucial part. It should be clear and concise, with some white space left on the page, and in an easy-to-read, standard font, such as Times New Roman. Beyond that, elements like pictures and colors may be unnecessary and may even be lost or distorted by the computer programs that will be scanning your resume. Typically, when you submit a resume, it is first scanned through by an automated applicant tracking system that will sort candidates by relevancy to the job posting. If you don’t include enough key words that the company is looking for, you may be rejected before your resume is even seen by any human eyes. So, for each position you are applying for, make sure to thoroughly read through the requirements and preferred experience that the company is looking for, and wherever you can, include the exact keywords they use in the posting in your resume itself. As an example, if you are applying for a Logistics Coordinator position and the job requirements mention that they are looking for someone with ocean import and export experience which you do have, make sure you word that in the same exact way on your resume as the job posting does to ensure it is matched up.
Once you have your resume ready to go and are wondering where to begin your job search, consider searching on niche job boards rather than generalized ones. Generalist job boards usually have tens of thousands of jobs posted, most of which will have no interest or relevance to you and the field you are looking for. It can be extremely time-consuming sifting through all these jobs just to find a few that are actually worthwhile. On the contrary, niche job boards specialize in a particular field or industry and will include only the jobs you are interested in. For example, JobsInLogistics.com is the largest online logistics job board, specializing in career opportunities in logistics, supply chain, distribution, transportation, warehousing, freight forwarding, manufacturing, purchasing and inventory management. You can save hours of your valuable time by looking for open positions primarily on niche job boards.
As your job search begins, make sure that you have a clear direction on what types of roles you are going to apply for, and that they will align with your interests and strengths. Consider your experience and qualifications and how they will fit into the roles you are seeking. This will help you save time and frustration by keeping focused only on roles that are worthwhile. Stay on top of your applications by creating a document where you can record the companies and jobs you have applied for, the next follow up steps and any notes you will want to remember during an interview. If you seem to have good luck finding positions when you use certain keywords, such as export specialist, jot that down along with your notes as well for future reference. Keeping everything in one place will make the process much more manageable.
It’s easy to get discouraged when you are looking for a job. A lot of companies have extensive interviewing processes that could take weeks to complete and you could be competing with hundreds of candidates for the same role. It’s important to be patient and keep some perspective – if you are rejected, don’t take it personally. New jobs open every day, and while it may take some time and persistence, the right position for you is out there. Now is a great time for job seekers to apply, as employers are majorly increasing their pay and benefits to combat the fact that many people are relying on unemployment and stimulus payments in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now is your time to stand out! When people stop collecting these payments, the candidate market will become much more competitive.
If you feel overwhelmed by your job search, try and remember these key tips that will help you stand out from the crowd and minimize unnecessary stress. Having a plan, staying organized and keeping perspective is key. Job searching can be hard work, but at the end if you have a position you love and the company has hired someone they trust and believe in, it will all be worth it. If you are focusing your search on the Logistics and Supply Chain industry, JobsInLogistics.com has hundreds of new jobs posted daily in the exact niche you are looking for. Begin your search today!