How to Start Searching for a Job - Most Essential Steps
There are many sites you can use to search for jobs, so where do you start? Here are the top three sites you can use for an effective job search.
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Job search process
But that doesn’t have to be the case when you’re looking for a new job. When you use the right strategies, the online job search process can be exciting and lead to a great full-time employment opportunity.
On this page, we’ll cover the right steps to begin your job hunt including:
- The strategies you should follow for finding a job
- How to carry out a job search and land your next position quickly
- The top places to search for jobs online
- How to find a job in a field that you actually like
5 tips for starting your job search
Many people these days are in a frantic hurry to find their next job and therefore don’t have a well-thought-out plan in place when applying to a job opening. You may have been recently terminated from your current job or quit on your own but that doesn’t mean your job hunting process should suffer because of a hasty approach.
1. Know the job application process inside and out
The first step to finding a new job is to make sure you are ready for the application process once you are presented with the perfect job opportunity. This includes making sure that your CV is up to date and correctly formatted. CVHelp experts have gathered the most important job tips, career tips and interview tips to help you stand out among the competition.
2. Figure out what you truly want from your new job
What is your dream job? Prioritise the things that are important to you. Will you be looking for a part-time or full-time job at a small business or large corporation? Whether that’s salary, job title or job location, if you don’t have your priorities straight, you’ll end up in a job that won’t make you happy. Define what field is in your best interest and perform online job searches for the specific job title. If you fine-tune the fields you’re interested in, this will drastically improve your job search process.
3. Make sure your CV and cover letters are ship-shape
There is no reason to start creating a CV or cover letter from scratch. CVHelp professional CV templates, cover letter templates, CV examples and cover letter examples give you a great jump start. Even more helpful is our CV builder and the cover letter builder that makes the CV and cover letter writing process quicker and easier. The builder guides you every step of the way and as you fill in your information, your professional CV and cover letter is built before your eyes.
4. Don’t restrict your job search to one avenue
Besides performing a job search online, you can also use networking, visit career fairs, seek referrals and seek out informational interviews from industry professionals. Networking is a great way to share your experience and learn about available job opportunities. Attend career fairs and visit booths for the important companies in your specific industry. Be sure to bring updated CVs to share with potential employers. Seek referrals from your former managers, clients and colleagues or professors if you are just starting out in your career. Setting up informational interviews are a great way to learn more about your field and at the same time make a great impression on potential employers.
5. Keep yourself organised as you apply for jobs
We strongly recommend you keep a running list of the jobs that you are applying for. This will help you stay organised and avoid the embarrassment of applying for the same job at the same company. It also helps you keep track of the potential employers that may read your application, CV and cover letter and contact you for more information. Should you be caught off guard and asked any questions, you’ll want to recall exactly what the job requirements were for each position that you applied for. It also helps to have your company research handy so you can refer to it when necessary.
Search for a job online: popular sites
Simply typing “job search sites” into Google will present you with seemingly endless sites to aid your job search. Rather than visit the countless job sites that appear in your search results, narrow down the sites and tools you use and focus on them. The most commonly used ways to search for jobs online are LinkedIn, Facebook and Google. You can also use Google to effectively job search and apply to jobs. Use Google’s “Jobs” feature to show you a list of all the available job posts in your area. To do this, go to Google and perform a simple search like “job + Project Manager job.” Using Google’s Job feature will show you a list of links for all the available project manager jobs in your area. It’s a great tool to use to slash the time you invest daily on job searching, regardless of your profession or industry. In addition, because all the jobs you’re interested in show up immediately, Google is a great tool to use to maximise your job search results.
Facebook is not only an excellent tool for connecting with friends and family but for landing jobs as well. Many companies today use Facebook Marketplace to post jobs, so there are an endless number of excellent job posts you can apply to. You can find a large number of job opportunities across many industries. You can use Facebook to join groups and fan pages to network with other professionals and find your next job.
LinkedIn is a great way to search for jobs because of the quality of job posts and the extensive network available on the platform. LinkedIn is a social media platform tailored to professionals, so it only makes sense that it will be the best tool to use for your job search. In addition, LinkedIn is best for applying to professional jobs because of its reputable professional network.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter can help you make valuable connections with employers. It’s one of the leading online employment sites that provides job seekers with a large amount of job opportunities for both big and small companies. ZipRecruiter offers relevant job opportunities and even pitches job candidates to recruiters and hiring managers.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor helps job candidates that are looking for a new job by offering career resources to help during every stage of the hiring process. With a goal to help job seekers find a job they love, Glassdoor takes the process to a whole new level by providing solid research and reviews on the jobs and companies that you are considering applying and working for.
SimplyHired
SimplyHired is a job website that allows job candidates to search for job opportunities, view salary information by job title, research big and small companies and gain valuable resources about the job market by location.
Linkup
To get the latest information and analytics about job markets, Linkup indexes millions of global job openings from employer websites daily. This data is delivered to clients globally across industries to help employers evaluate labor demand, understand trends, predict job growth and decline, and more.
Snagajob
If you’re looking for hourly job opportunities, Snagajob is the recommended platform for hourly work. They are known for matching technology, an effective process to recommend the right workers to the right companies instantly. Job candidates get hired faster and employers have to deal with fewer applications to hire more qualified employees.
The Ladders
The Ladders offers its members the necessary resources to “ladder up” their careers to take the next steps in their high paying careers. The site is designed for high-end employers and high-end talent. Members are highly qualified and experienced specialists across many industries. The site also offers members comprehensive job application service, company and salary information, advice and more.
Craigslist
Craigslist is another site that job seekers can visit to perform a quick job search by title, industry and location. It’s a great resource for finding jobs near you in a wide range of industries from part-time to full-time, temporary gigs and permanent, to consulting and freelance.
Joblist
Joblist aims to transform the job seeking experience by matching job candidates with the most relevant job opportunities and employers. The site also provides effective tools and tips throughout the job search process. A potential employer can connect directly with qualified job candidates. Joblist does its best to present you with the most relevant jobs based on what is best for your job search.
Indeed
On Indeed.com, job seekers can upload a CV, search for jobs and create job alert emails. More importantly, you can apply for the jobs directly in minutes. You’ll find a huge assortment of job listings from major job boards, newspapers, associations and company career pages. Typically, employers post exclusive job opportunities directly to Indeed. If you’re unsure about a company, there are reviews you can read to help make your decision from an Indeed job search.
FAQ: how to start a job search
Have questions? We’re here to help.
What is the best job site search?
There is no definitive “best” job search engine but rather many sites available to you to sign up for. Remember, you don’t need to visit countless job sites to apply for jobs. Visit each site and see what each has to offer. Then, narrow down your list and focus on sites that have the most job opportunities and career resources that match your job title and industry. The most commonly used ways to search for jobs online are LinkedIn, Facebook and Google.
What should I do if I'm having trouble finding a job?
Besides searching online for the job title that you are looking to gain employment with, you can also reach out to your connections and industry colleagues. This can be accomplished by posting on your social media platforms, sending emails or even calling your contacts by phone. Job opportunities come available on a daily basis so stay focused until an open vacancy is presented to you. Also, be sure that your current CV and cover letter are not sabotaging your job search.
How do I find a job in my field?
Search online using the most descriptive terms and best CV keywords about the job title, industry and location that you are interested in. Then, one by one, visit those job sites. For example, Indeed.com may offer you a plethora of job postings in your search result. Read through each job description carefully and only apply to those that match your skill level, qualifications and experience. If provided, you can also select possible job postings that match your salary requirements.
How should you use social sites like LinkedIn and Facebook to land a job?
When using social media sites such as Linkedin and Facebook to find new job opportunities, be sure to keep your social media profiles up to date. Take the time to polish up your profile so it’s presentable to potential employers. Through those sites, you can also expand your social network by following companies in your industry and connecting with other professionals in your field of interest. On LinkedIn, you can instantly build up your network to increase your exposure and additional to other connections. It’s also advisable to connect with alumni from your university to search for past alumni currently employed at companies you’re interested in. Join professional groups (both online and offline) so you can maintain connections.
How should I prepare for a job search?
First, update your CV to include all your accomplishments and relevant best skills to put on a CV. Perform a self-assessment to figure out your skills and what career you want. Review your social media accounts to ensure your profiles are presentable for any potential employers to look at. Join LinkedIn and begin following important companies in your industry.
What are some mistakes I should avoid in my job search?
One mistake you can avoid is to not start a job search and apply to everything from job search engines that slightly interest you before knowing what you want. Also, don’t send the same CV and cover letter to multiple posts in the labor market. Always customise your job application materials to fit the particular job you’re applying to. And lastly, don’t wait for the perfect job post to appear before applying. Even if a job isn’t 100% what you’re looking for, it’s a good experience to go through the job application process and potentially get practice with job interview questions.
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