10 Tips to Effectively Manage Your Job Search

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7 min read. Updated on March 08, 2016

Ronda Suder

Career Expert

Here are tips on how to job search effectively for success.

Whether you are newly unemployed or looking for a change from your current job, it's absolutely essential that you’re equipped with the tools needed to learn how to create a resume and effectively manage your job search. Learning how to job search effectively could make all the difference between you landing the interview compared to someone else.

How to job search effectively

Below are 10 tips for how to job search effectively. Apply these to sharpen and refine your skills to reach your career goals.

1. Make your own “non-template” template for your documents

Microsoft Word, Google Drive, and other mediums offer “canned” premade resume templates, but these can often be identified as such from a mile away. Using a Word template or something similar is an absolute don't. Instead, craft your own template that offers a pleasing balance of whitespace and text.

It's also beneficial to have matching headers and formatting across all professional documents, thus creating a consistent professional brand for yourself. Or if you need help in tackling it all, there are resume help sites and Pinterest boards dedicated to resume development and tips for how to write a resume. One of the best investments is to have a resume professionally written and formatted.

2. Use a calendar

It is beneficial to have a tangible copy of your schedule on hand, even if you have a great memory. Some folks prefer an old-fashioned paper planner. Conversely, others opt to use electronic calendars such as Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook.

Whichever you choose, using a calendar can aid you in keeping track of all activities happening in your life, e.g. work, family, hobbies, appointments, etc.

This also goes for how to job search effectively. Using a calendar allows you to allocate time to work on your resume and other documents, as well as job search and craft content for your LinkedIn profile. A calendar will also be handy when you’re working with hiring teams to schedule interviews.

3. Create a LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn is optimal for networking with professionals in your field, sharing ideas, and gaining inspiration from reputable companies.

Having a well-crafted LinkedIn profile not only showcases your skills in a more detailed and comprehensive manner than can fit on a standard two-page resume, but also demonstrates marketing, technology and social media dexterity, which is strongly desired across multiple career sectors. In addition, many employers refer to LinkedIn profiles to research candidates.

4. Stay organized on the go

Take the time to sync your schedule, email, and contacts across all of your electronic devices. This ensures that you won't miss an important email or call, gives you easy access to contacts on the go, and guarantees communication consistency across the board.

For example, while using your tablet, you'll receive an alert to get to work on a job application that's due in a few days. From there, you'll reach for your laptop and get to work! If you use a paper calendar, find something portable and easy to take with you.

5. Stay in touch with technology

When it comes to how to job search effectively, technology is your friend. There are a multitude of applications and programs that may aid you in your processes and help you learn how to create a resume.

To de-clutter your inbox, unroll.me allows you to access a comprehensive listing of all emails you're subscribed to. You can then use it to decide what stays and what goes. For Gmail users, Boomerang is a great add-on that lets you draft emails ahead of time and schedule them to be sent later.

A service that aids writers in writing more concisely is Hemingway; this app can be downloaded to your PC or Mac for $9.99. A free ultra-spell checking service available to users is Grammarly. This may be added on as an extension to your browser and to MS Word so that every item you write on the web or within an open document, it undergoes a comprehensive check process that often catches errors that the browser or MS Word spell checkers neglect.

Furthermore, if you need to send a file to a prospective employer that your computer can't support, you can use a free site called Zamzar that converts your documents into the format you need and supplies them via email. You may opt to upgrade for a fee should you find yourself needing to convert larger files or aiming to receive files more instantaneously than unpaid users.

6. Keep on reading and remaining current

It's invaluable as a professional in any field to stay apprised of best practices. This makes you all the more qualified as a job candidate and as a professional in your field. LinkedIn is a great place to find articles at no cost to you if you have a basic account. A simple Amazon search can yield a number of resources as well.

It is also advised to join a professional association specific to your desired career field. This allows you to have access to resources that come along with membership. Additionally, there's a free email service called BookBub that delivers a daily list of free or significantly-reduced eBook publications; you can specify the genres you prefer and it's a great way to build a library of professional development reads on a budget

7. Continue to build skills

As you’re searching for a new job, continue to build skills and increase your employability by searching for online courses and certifications. There are hundreds of platforms, like Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy, that offer free and low-cost courses for all types of specialties and fields.

8. Clean up your online presence

Some 67% of employers use social media to research their candidates, and we’re not just talking about LinkedIn. Any social media site is up for grabs if you have a profile on it. That’s why it’s essential that you actively manage your online brand during a job search. Be sure to:

Do a Google search to see what comes up about you and make adjustments as needed
Update your privacy settings on social accounts to limit visibility
Avoid posting offensive things or activities that might hurt your chances of landing a job

9. Practice your interview responses

You don’t have to wait to land an interview to practice interviewing. Take some time during your job search to identify the types of questions you might be asked and practice answering them. That way, when the time comes, you’ll be even more prepared vs. stressed due to waiting until the last minute.

Look up common situational and behavioral interview questions, since these are commonly used. Industry-specific and traditional questions are worth studying, as well.

10. Implement self-care and patience

Of course, you want to understand how to job search effectively and put in the effort so you can land the job you want. However, when you add a job search into the mix of your already busy day-to-day life, it can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Throughout the process, it’s essential you take care of yourself, including keeping your stress level low through the ways that work for you. Some like to exercise, others enjoy meditation or yoga, and others enjoy spending ample time outdoors. Find activities that work for you and allow you to feel peace and relaxation away from the busy schedules we tend to keep.

Going through the job search and application process takes time, so patience is also essential. The goal is to be steady and consistent in your actions, and with time, you’ll land the job.

Final thoughts on how to job search effectively

There are a lot of factors at play when it comes to how to job search effectively and land your next role. Some of these factors are out of your control. However, you can control your preparedness and activities as you navigate the journey.

Remaining organized and up-to-date on current trends, focusing on enhancing your skill set and interviewing skills, updating your online brand, and remaining patient are just a few of the steps you can take to support yourself at the onset and during the job search process. Good luck!

Ready to write the next chapter of your career? Hire a TopResume writer today, or submit your resume for a free resume review to get started!

This article was originally written by Lauren Petrillo. It has been updated by Ronda Suder.