Looking for a job can be a bit like dating. It can be easy to go
online and find a match for a first date, but what happens after that is
what matters the most. Will that first date (or first interview) turn
into a long-term relationship?
Job searching can be hard work.
It’s not just a question of finding a job – any job. It’s important to
find the right job, a job that is an excellent fit for you now and for
the future, either as a stepping stone for your career or as an
opportunity you’ll be comfortable with for the long haul.
Because
job searching is time consuming, as well as hard work and because it can
be even harder when a job doesn’t work out and you end up quitting or
getting fired, it’s best to spend your time trying to get it right from
the time you start job hunting. Here are five tips to help you find a
job you'll love.
Top 5 Tips for Finding a Job You Will Love
Make a match. Before you start your job search, spend time to be sure you’re looking for the right job.
If you’re not certain about what you want to do, take a career quiz or two to generate some ideas. If need be, get career coaching or counseling to help get you on the right track. Use the job search engines to search for jobs that are a match for your skills, experience and interests.
Get the inside scoop. Don’t just apply for the job. Take it a step further. Use your connections
on LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+ and other networking sites to discover
whom you know at the company. Ask them for insight and information on
the company, in general, as well as about the job. Your contacts may
also be able to provide you with a referral for the position. Check out
the company’s LinkedIn page and social media profiles.
Interviewing works both ways. It’s just as valuable for you to interview the company as it is for them to interview you. Be prepared to answer interview questions and have a list of interview questions of your own
ready to ask. If you’re not 100% sure about a job offer and you haven’t
met the team you’ll be working with, ask if you can meet your future
boss and colleagues.
Check out the company culture. The
job may sound terrific, but do you want to work for the company? Is the
company culture a fit for you at this stage of your career? Is it too
formal – or too casual? How is the organization structured? Are there
opportunities there for advancement? Spend some time reading what
employees have to say about the company on Glassdoor.com. If you’re a college graduate, ask your career office if they have an alumni network you can connect with. Go back to your LinkedIn connections with follow-up questions. Here's how to use your contacts when you're job searching.
Make sure the job is a good fit.
In addition to making sure that you want to work for the company,
carefully evaluate the job. Do you truly want this job? Will you be
happy doing it? Will it boost your career? Will it give you the
flexibility or work/life balance you need? Is the salary what you
expected? If not, is negotiating a higher salary
an option? Are the employee benefits sufficient for your needs? How
about the work schedule, the hours, and the travel, if required? If
there’s anything about the job or the compensation package that is
making you think twice, the time to act is before you accept the offer.
Of
course, not all jobs work out perfectly even if you do all the right
things. However, you’ll have a better chance of making a suitable match
if you’re careful about every step of the job search process and you
take the time to do due diligence before you say “yes” to the hiring
manager.
