The Great Resignation, this flashy term has buzzed around widely over the past year. Employees are leaving their jobs for new opportunities in droves. Most are leaving one company for another, some are starting their own business, and a small number are leaving the workforce entirely. I can officially say I’m part of this larger churn jumping from one employer to another. I left my stable job of almost 4 years for a great new opportunity with a developing start up. The process of me beginning my search to receiving an offer was less than 3 months; the most expeditious hunt I’ve ever experienced. Although this search was faster than I expected, it does not mean it was without rejection or self doubt. I used some tools and tricks in my job searching process that assisted in keeping me organized and grounded. I believe these tips are useful whether you're deep in a job hunt or have no immediate plans to leave a stable job. Self improvement is never out of reach.
Update Your Resume 2 Months Before You Actively Begin Applying For Job
Updating your resume can be such a hassle when you’re applying for multiple roles. I recommend updating your resume before you even have intentions to look for a new job. Your current duties are fresh on your mind and you won’t struggle to remember key tasks. Additionally, fixing up your resume before you initiate your search relieves some pressure when you do begin a dynamic search.
Create A References Document Before You Apply
Similarly to updating your resume pre-search, creating a document with a few references can also alleviate some pressure once you seriously apply for roles. Ask a few former coworkers or managers who you are on good terms with if you can use them as a reference in the future. Be sure to get their current job title, the title they had when you worked with them, phone, and email. Not all jobs ask for references, but it’s better to be prepared and avoid the scramble.
Keep A Log of All The Jobs You Apply For
Create a document or list of the job titles and dates you applied. I’m one to experience anxiety after hitting submit, so keeping a timeline of when I applied to a job really kept me grounded. You can add extra information like if the job was remote, where you applied (ex. LinkedIn, on the company website etc.), and what the status of the submission was (no response, phone interview, zoom meeting, etc.).
Use Multiple Job Listing Sites
Don’t limit your search to just one website like Indeed or LinkedIn. Looking for a great new job requires casting the largest net possible. Create automatic alerts so you get emails daily or weekly of new postings that fit your criteria.
Have Your Salary In Mind When Applying
Unfortunately not all job posts include the salary range. The lack of transparency can be frustrating since you don’t want to expend time and effort applying for roles that are not in your target salary range. I wasn’t able to completely avoid this, but with my target salary range in mind (based on experience, skillset, and industry standards), I ended the process on a few jobs that were below my range. Recruiters now will often ask you on the initial call what your ideal salary range is. Give your honest answer as it saves both sides time. If the role has a lower range than what you deserve then politely decline. If the recruiter does not ask you on the initial call then don’t hesitate to ask them what the target salary range is as early as possible in the process. Even if it is a difficult question to ask, transparency is valuable for both parties.
Let me know if you’ve used any of these tips, and happy hunting!