Unlock Your Future: Essential Career Search Tips and Hints for Applicants

I have been in the workforce since I was 15 years old and have been an HR Professional for the past 25 years.  I would not be exaggerating to suggest that I have participated in hundreds, if not a thousand job interviews, either as a candidate or as interviewer. I can say with confidence that I have been mostly successful – both as a candidate landing roles that I have wanted, or as an interviewer identifying and hiring qualified candidates.  In short, you could say that I know a thing or two about a thing or two!  Of course, my skills and abilities in this area changed over time and I wasn’t always as successful.  

Let's talk about the things I learned over my HR career that turns applicants into a candidates, and candidates into new hires.

Are you familiar with that old joke about the faithful person who prayed daily to win the lottery?  It goes something like this: A faithful person realized that winning the lottery would make a difference in her life. She prayed and prayed but every morning she woke up and she still hadn’t won. Finally, out of frustration she shouted at the sky, "why won't you let me win the lottery and do good for the world”? Suddenly, the clouds spread apart, and God said onto her, "I'm trying to help you here, but you need to buy a lotto first!”

The lesson? You can’t land an interview unless you apply - and the act of career searching is a critical step in the application process.  Do it well and you may have several interview opportunities to pick from. Do it poorly and you may think your time and energy has been wasted with no calls from interested employers.

Madsen HR Consulting's top tips for launching a successful career search:

1. Know the industry & role. Consider all of the ways it may be posted. 

   1. Optimize your search by using key words from your industry so that you turn over as many open roles as possible.

2. Familiarize yourself will all job search channels.  The landscape for job postings is always changing and various mediums are used to promote open roles.  Places to consider are:

3. A Company's Careers Section: If you have a particular industry or even employer in mind, the careers section of their website is the first place to start!

4. The Job Board Section: at educational institutions, related professional association websites and unions.

5. Social Media Platforms: top social media platforms being used today are LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, Facebook, Monster, Zip Recruiter etc.

6. Recruitment Agencies: employers will use agencies for a variety of reasons, sometime because the search is a confidential one.  When this is the case, the role may not be publicly advertised.  Consider who some of the top industry recruiters are in your field and make sure to do a search on their jobs page.  Some well known ones are Robert Half and Randstad but there are many boutique agencies that specialize in industries or roles.  Get familiar with them and even consider connecting with a head hunter to make them aware of your intention to find a new role.

7. Leverage your own network: Don’t be shy to reach out to professional peers, friends, family members or acquaintances to let them know that you are interested in a new opportunity.  Most people will be excited for you and very willing to help.  The number of times I have heard – “Oh I may know someone” either as a recruiter or as an applicant are too many to count. 

   1. One of the best ways to get your foot in the door for an interview is as an inside referral direct to the hiring manager.

8. What about your current employer?: don’t forget that your next role might be within your current company.  As an HR leader who has conducted countless exit interviews, I often hear from departing employees that they lef the company to achieve career growth and development.  When I share that information back to the manager inevitably, I hear “oh, I didn’t know! I wish I had as I would have considered what opportunities we have internally”. 

   1. The takeaway?  Talk to your people leader and company HR professional! Additionally, if your employer has an HRIS with a career development section, list your role interests and goals in it and share your desire at your performance review or in development conversations.  You should always make your employer aware of your professional goals and intentions.

   2. If there is an open role posted within your company – apply for it!  Most progressive employers have a policy to always interview qualified internal candidates and, in my experience, if there is a choice between a great internal and great external candidate, the employer will promote the internal candidate to support internal growth and development.
      

Next time you consider a job search, remember these tips and improve your odds. Stay tuned for my next post where we will talk about your Resume and Cover Letter.

Considering a new career and need help with where to start? Madsen HR Consulting expert knowledge and experience can help you kick start your career search!