It’s that time of the year again! So, what are your career goals for 2022?
According to LinkedIn, over 85% of job seekers are open to looking for new opportunities. This is a great time to reassess your strategy and make a new start. Effective strategies are critical when it comes to finding and applying for a job. Doing so can help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to effectively apply for and find a job. You must be intentional about the things you do to achieve your career goals in the upcoming year. You cannot keep doing the same thing and expecting different results.
There are many different strategies that you can use to find your dream job in 2022. Below are the strategies we recommend:
1. Be choosy on the jobs you apply to.
Every day, you are most likely going to see new job openings. Narrow down your search to your most preferred industry, and specific company types. With more jobs to choose from, you are more than ever before able to leverage your search for a new position. Doing some research beforehand can help you get the most out of your search. If you find yourself in a situation where there are multiple options, take some time to evaluate which one makes the most sense for you. Your job search should focus on positions that you’re excited about. Doing so will help you feel more confident when speaking to the hiring manager.
2. Follow the trends of your dream industry/company
Now that you have chosen a specific industry you want to target, follow the trends, activities and how it affects your qualifications and the job role you are looking to apply to. For example, if you are a social media manager, and your dream job is to be the social media manager of a certain company in the telecommunications industry, you will have to follow their pages on social media. Find out what they do, how they do it and what they are not doing that you think will create more results. Your passion for the job will come across during the interview, which will help you stand out from the crowd and impress the hiring manager. Most business leaders claim that their environment constantly changes. They will ask for examples of how you can manage to adapt to this change.
3. Learn a new skill
Learning new skills can help you develop confidence and boost your self-esteem. By networking with other professionals in your field, you’ll be able to develop and enhance both your professional and personal skills. In Nigeria, upskilling was a major trend in the last couple of months, as people took the time to develop stronger interpersonal skills and acquire certified training. There are many advantages to learning a new skill, such as it can help open more doors for people who may have been out of job before. You can either take on formal courses or just take time to improve certain skills. Soft skills are as important as technical skills. Due to the increased demand for workers in certain industries, more and greater employers will be looking for candidates with soft skills, just as they would for technical expertise. Aside from having specific work experience, soft skills like communication and problem-solving can also be very helpful in securing a job.
4. Network consistently and reach out to companies
This may sound generic, and you must have been hearing it before now but one of the most effective ways to find a job is by networking. It allows you to connect with people who may be able to offer you positions that are not being advertised. If possible, find someone in the company or specific department that you’re applying to. Then, look for ways to connect with them on social networks especially on LinkedIn to pitch yourself. You may also want to meet with people in the department to see if you can learn more about the company and any questions or concerns about the position. LinkedIn Groups are great places to connect with other professionals and get job listings.
5. Use a headhunter or join job board communities
Sometimes, finding a job can be challenging and time-consuming. If that’s the case, a staffing agency can help you secure a job that’s right for you. Having a recruiter helps you narrow down your search and find the right job. This can give you access to their networks and expertise that will allow you to get noticed by employers. There are several job boards you can also join where latest job opportunities are being posted daily.
6. Go Digital
Create professional networking profiles on LinkedIn and other major platforms. These profiles will help prospective employers connect with you and provide a strong, positive, or professional impression. Conducting a job search online is important, as employers often look for candidates who are not actively looking for work. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that you’re organized and can be the ideal fit.
7. Revamp your job application documents
It’s important to write a well-written resume and cover letter that clearly link your skills and experience to the job openings that you are applying for. The hiring manager will be able to see why you’re qualified for the job and how you can demonstrate why you deserve the position. Unlike in-person interviews, hiring managers don’t filter through thousands of resumes. Instead, they use a variety of tools to find the most relevant information. You need to create a compelling resume that highlights all your relevant qualifications. This step requires you to create a list of all most important keywords and phrases that aligns with the job description of the role you are applying to.
