Written by Esme, Managing Director, FS Personnel Recruitment Services Pty Ltd

FS Personnel – Inspired by Growth

Why is it important to have job-hunting strategies?

Normally jobs don’t fall in your lap, therefor, if you are serious in finding a job, it is important to do it thoroughly. I recommend that if you do not have a job, make it your job to find a job, work from 08h00 to 17h00, working hours each day to find a job.

To follow the recommended options:

Register your cv on as much as possible online job searching platforms / job boards:

Recruiters and companies use platforms and job boards to search cv’s.

In South Africa the most popular platform to use is Linkedin.

Globally I will say Indeed and Linkedin.

Other popular platforms in SA are: Pnet, Indeed, Careers24, Executive Placements.

Popular UK & European job boards are: Indeed, CV-Library, Totaljobs, Reed & Monster.

Popular Australian job boards are: Adzuna, CareerOne, CareerJet, Indeed, JobActive, Seek, ArtsHub.

American: Careerbuilder, Glassdoor, Indeed, Job2Careers, Monster, Nexxt, Snagajob.

How to register your cv:

Start with these sites and google the rest.

LinkedIn: 3 Ways on How to Upload CV on LinkedIn | TopCV

Indeed: How to Upload Your Resume to Indeed | Indeed.com

Pnet: Log in and register with PNet. Personalise your profile and add your CV.

When you upload your cv and information, take time to ensure you complete all the relevant tabs. Is is in particular important to choose the correct sectors you have experience in.

Do daily job searching:

Since search engines and career websites use keywords to help you find jobs, learn which keywords are applicable to the kind of job you want. Play around with different job titles that are similar to find a wider range of job postings.

Networking:

Research consistently shows that networking leads to a job far more often than other job search methods such as responding to postings, attending job fairs or sending out unsolicited resumes.

LinkedIn has made networking easier as you can search your all connections and easily send them a message. Inquire about their company, ask for some insider information, or help with an opening you want to apply for.

Company websites

Some companies choose to keep their job postings on their website. It’s worth doing an internet search of companies within your industry to begin looking at their websites. Before filling out your application, get to know who they are, what they do, and who their clients are. Knowing all of this information shows you’re serious about wanting a job opportunity from them.

Online presence:

Be mindful of your online presence. Some hiring managers look at an applicant’s social media to learn more about them. Always be mindful of the type of content you share on social media. Keep it courteous and professional. If you don’t want an employer to see your postings, make sure to set your profiles to private.

Internships

If you are inexperienced, starting with an internship is a great way to build your resume and create professional connections. With some internships, you may have the opportunity to transition into a full-time role. If this is the case, make sure to put in your best effort through the course of your internship. Try to prove that you are the right person for a full-time job offer. You can do this by asking smart questions, offering to take on a new project and taking on more responsibilities as you get more comfortable with your work.

Volunteering

Volunteering at an organization is one way to increase your chances of getting a job there. This is especially true for nonprofits that may not currently have the funds to hire you right now. If they see you as a hard worker and someone integral to the organization, you may be more qualified when a paying job does open up. Even if you can’t get a job there, having volunteer experience looks good on a resume, expands your network and helps you learn more about roles you may want to pursue.

Learn job keywords.

Since search engines and career websites use keywords to help you find jobs, learn which keywords are applicable to the kind of job you want. Play around with different job titles that are similar to find a wider range of job postings.

Relevant jobs:

Target the right jobs. The shotgun approach where you apply for anything and everything is never effective. Instead, you’ll be more successful if you apply to the more appropriate job fits and concentrate on making that application the best possible. Also, look for companies that you’d be excited to work for. You are seeking a new long-term home—not a brief stint—so choose wisely.

Industry trends and news:

Stay on top of industry trends and news. Read everything you can find from reputable sources about changes and challenges in your industry. Know how these affect the type of job you do. This insight will allow you to impress an employer once you get a conversation going.

Next step to follow on Monday 17 October 2022 on how to prepare for an interview.