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Many people start their job search by looking at the job titles that sound most fitting to their career goals. Glassdoor career expert Scott Dobroski suggests job seekers look at the required skills of a position instead: employees will be able to identify the skill sets they already possess and the jobs that best match their experiences. Job titles are constantly changing, so focusing on the required skills of a position can open your search up to job titles that you didn’t even know matched your expertise.

Companies use their website to advertise job openings, and job search platforms can also help you identify opportunities. Use these sites to also look for “similar jobs” or “suggested jobs” that may pique your interest. To ensure that a job is right for you, do a little bit of background research on the company to get a sense of its values and what employees feel about working there. Also, review your network to see if you’re connected to someone who has experience at the company and who can share their perspective.

After you’ve submitted your application for a job, you should note the job listing for future reference. Dobroski says saving a job description can help you prepare for an interview when you want to look back on the qualifications needed. Even if you’re looking at jobs that are all within the same industry, it’s important to tailor your resume to match the specific job you apply to, thus giving yourself a competitive edge.

According to Glassdoor, your cover letter should not read like an extra copy of your resume. Instead, it should provide hiring managers with more background information about who you are and why you are a right fit for the position and the company. It should also include a call to action like, “I look forward to connecting to discuss next steps,” so the employer knows just how interested you are in moving forward with the position.

Before going on an interview, Glassdoor suggests jobs seekers do the following three things: Research the company you are interviewing with and the work they do; practice answering tough and common interview questions beforehand; and look up background information about the individual you are interviewing with. In addition to preparing yourself for how to properly answer an interview question, you should also decide what information you want to know from the interviewer. According to Glassdoor, if you don’t ask questions in an interview you can easily “run the risk of unintentionally appearing disengaged or uninterested.”  Glassdoor suggests asking questions about the growth opportunities at the company or inquiring about the biggest challenges people face working there.

To really stand out and show your appreciation for the interview, send a follow up note thanking the hiring managers for taking time to meet with you. This note can be sent via email or post, but Thompson says before sending you should triple check to make sure there are no grammatical errors and that all names are spelled correctly.

Information on our job search programs at the YWCA Employment and Learning Center can be found at:
https://www.ywcasaskatoon.com/employment-learning/

You can view the full original article by Courtney ConnleyCareers Reporter, at:
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/17/10-job-search-tips-for-landing-your-dream-role-in-2018.html