10 Tips to Improve Your Job Search Strategy

We are in a job-seekers market. There is more demand for new employees than people are searching for jobs. At the same time, there is a lot of competition for highly desirable jobs. While it may be tempting to coast through your job search, you need to shine and put your best foot forward. First impressions matter, even in a tight labor market. Consider adding these tips to improve your job search strategy to win in a competitive job market.

Searching for a new job is a job in itself. To improve your chances of being hired requires planning, creating goals, preparing, practicing, researching, scheduling, and so much more. Searching for a new job isn’t something you can do haphazardly. You need to tailor your approach to each position you apply to and evaluate the employer and your potential new boss to make sure they fit your needs. If you are ready to start the next chapter in your career, these job search tips will help.

Ten Tips to Improve Your Job Search Strategy

1) Identify your career goal

The first tip to improve your job search strategy is to identify your strengths and the type of work you enjoy doing. By getting clear on what you want to do, you increase your chances of finding a job that provides you with greater satisfaction. Additionally, rank the following to identify what is most important:

• Title
• Money
• Promotion
• The work itself
• Location
• Company culture

Once you know what you want, you can evaluate job openings to determine which ones to target. Understanding your career goal and what is important to you will also shape your questions during the interview process. The list may change as you go further into your job search.

2) Develop a system for tracking your job search

The second tip to improve your job search strategy is to develop a system to track the jobs you are interested in applying for to stay organized. You can use a word document, spreadsheet, or note-taking app to house your system. You can make it as elaborate or simple as you want. The goal is to create a system that works for you and, more importantly, use it. For example, your job search system can include the following items:

• Link to the job posting
• Company name
• Job posting keywords
• Link to Glassdoor or other employer rating site
• Link to website or specific pages of their website that you can leverage in your cover letter, resume, or conversations with the hiring manager
• The date you applied, dates to follow-up, dates of interviews
• Notes from interactions with the company

You get the idea. Your job search system needs to contain elements that will help as you progress through the hiring process. Having this information readily available will help you show up in the best possible way.

3) Determine a job search schedule

The third tip to improve your job search strategy is to develop a schedule for your activities. The goal with your schedule is to provide you with an uninterrupted focus for your job search activities. Your schedule could look something like the following:

• 1 hour – gather job openings that meet your goals and needs
• 2 hours – research and gather information on the employers identified
• 2 hours – tailor cover letter/resume
• 1 hour – applying

You might want to incorporate social media activities like following the company, reviewing current employees, and even connecting with people who work there. However, don’t discount former employees as they can be a source of truth for what the company is really like. Additionally, build in breaks and downtime time to keep your energy high.

4) Identify job openings you want to apply for

The fourth tip to improve your job search strategy is to gather job openings that meet your goals and what is important to you. Unfortunately, sometimes you can’t determine if the role or company will meet what is important to you until you are in the interview process. However, using sites like Glassdoor could offer some information. Then, as you identify job openings that interest you, log them into your system. With this step, depending on the time you’ve allotted, you should gather at least 12 openings you are interested in researching further.

5) Research your target job postings

The fifth tip to improve your job search strategy is to research your target job postings. In this step you will gather, review, and take notes from the following:

• The company website – what they do, their mission, leadership team, etc.
• Glassdoor – what are employees and other job candidates saying about the company
• Social media channels – both are great sources to see the brand image the company is pushing, but you can also uncover negative mentions which are important to be aware of
• News posts – favorable or unfavorable news about the company

From your research, you will identify keywords to add to your cover letter/resume, create a questioning strategy for the interview process, and get a feel for their culture.

6) Tailor your cover letter and resume

The sixth tip to improve your job search strategy is to tailor your approach to the application process. Your resume is still one of the most critical tools of your job search. Creating an achievement-based resume is essential, and you shouldn’t send the same resume to multiple companies.

Make yourself an obvious fit for the role by leveraging the keywords and research you conducted in step five. By using the keywords and phrases in the job opening or from the company’s website, recruiters will know within seconds of skimming your resume that they need to get you scheduled for a phone screen.

7) Prepare for interviews

The seventh tip to improve your job search strategy comes once recruiters start scheduling interviews. Most often, the first step is a phone screen with the recruiter. They are the gatekeepers to moving forward to the hiring manager. You must impress them.

Research common interview questions to get your brain thinking of how you will respond. Practice those responses. Develop your elevator pitch that highlights your greatest achievements. Identify weaknesses and be prepared to talk to how you work with them to remain successful. Develop thoughtful and insightful questions to demonstrate your interest and research. Practice your answers, role-play with a friend, and practice some more. You only have one shot, so you want to show up as prepared as your can.

8) Follow-up during the recruitment process

The eighth tip to improve your job search strategy is to follow up. Immediately after the interview, follow up with a personalized and tailored thank-you note. Include something you were excited to learn about (unrelated to compensation or benefits!) Include how your strengths will bring value to the role or solve the problem they want to solve.

If you’ve not heard back after a week, follow up with a call or email that demonstrates your excitement and interest in the job. While you wait for a response, continue repeating the steps by applying for other job postings. Keep the momentum going.

9) Build, cultivate, and leverage your network to improve your job search

The ninth tip to improve your job search is to focus on your network. Your network creates additional opportunities for your job search because people who know you can help you uncover job leads. Networking is an essential component of searching for a new job.

Leveraging your network isn’t an instant benefit, particularly if you don’t have a network. Maximize opportunities to build your network, such as seminars, social events, and past colleagues. If you know someone working for a company you are interested in, don’t be shy about asking for a referral or inside information.

10) Maintain your online career brand

Job search tip number ten isn’t so much a step in the process as it is an ongoing activity. You should always work on your career brand by showcasing your expertise, thought leadership, and passion online. Your career brand shows up in what you post on social media, what you comment on, and what you publish.

That rounds out the ten tips to improve your job search strategy. Don’t enter the job search without a plan, otherwise, you will certainly make job search mistakes. Maintain a positive attitude, have patience, and stay persistent. Job searches can take time, and you don’t want to rush the process. Additionally, a job search is stressful, so make time for self-care.

Hopefully, you found these tips helpful. Use the comments below to share tips that have worked for you or share your job search experience.