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4 Things You Should Change About Your Job Search

Published on: 9 Feb 2021

Are you not feeling much love from your job applications? Perhaps you’re not getting many replies or interviews and you’re starting to feel as though you’re just throwing your CV into the wild with no idea where it actually ends up. If this sounds like you then maybe it’s time to make some changes to the way you’re job hunting.

Here are 4 things you could change about your job search to get better results.

 

Don’t bulk send your CV

When you’re job hunting you can feel as though you just want to send as many applications as you possibly can. You have over 10 tabs open with various jobs ready to fire out your CV and Cover Letter to each of them. Does this sound like you? If it does, you need to rethink your application process. We cannot stress enough the importance of catering your CV and Cover Letter to each application you make.

Yes, this will inevitably take more time and effort than just sending the same bog standard CV and Cover Letter, but it will probably give you much more joy with attaining interviews.

Read the job description, in particular the person specification, carefully and pick out some key words or skills that you will need for this role. If you believe that you have these skills and attributes yourself then add them into your CV and Cover Letter. Not only does this show the employer that you’re a good fit for the position, it also shows that you have actually read and retained information from the job ad.

 

Stop applying above your level

A great man once said ‘reach for the stars,’ but overreaching with your job applications doesn’t mean you’ll be able to bring it all back to you… (we’ll stop with the S Club 7 lyrics now!) Yes, it is always a good thing to have ambition and dream big, but if you’re a recent graduate applying for CEO or Manager positions it’s unlikely that you’ll get a lot of interviews.

Job hunting is exhausting enough, so don’t make it harder for yourself by using energy applying for positions you know you aren’t qualified for. Try searching for jobs by ‘entry level’ and then refine your results by your own experiences and only apply for the roles you know you’re qualified for. This will save you time and energy.

 

Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback

If you’ve been rejected from an interview, or perhaps even before the interview stage, gaining feedback can be invaluable to improving your job search. It’s important to email the employer and ask her/him to provide you with reasons why you’ve been unsuccessful at this time. Take on board the feedback and use it to change the way you come across in an interview, or even how you present yourself in your CV and Cover Letter.

If you need more tips on writing the perfect CV or Cover Letter take a look at our top-notch advice here.

 

Don’t be too keen

Of course it’s always important to be enthusiastic and energetic with your job search but how keen is too keen? Yes, research the company online prior to an interview. No, do not connect with your interviewer on LinkedIn. There is a definite line between enthusiastic and inappropriate when looking for a job. Always be professional and don’t chase your potential employer for an answer. Let them contact you first.