The beginning of the new fiscal year is known as a “peak season” in recruiting, meaning that hiring managers will be looking to fill open positions now that they have their budgets available to them.
Whether you’re looking to change companies, change careers or are entering the workforce for the very first time, finding a new job can bring a number of challenges. We all want to find that perfect fit - a company that takes care of us with good pay and benefits, a good culture and a good work-life balance, among other aspects.
At the same time, we all know that can be easier said than done. Will you find the right job? If you apply, will you get an interview? Does the company have a good reputation? Offer good pay and benefits? Searching for a new job can be both frustrating and time-consuming. But everyone deserves to have a job they enjoy, working for a place that treats them well. Below, we’ll go over how you can prepare for peak recruiting season and put yourself in a position to find a job you love.
5 Ways to Prepare for Your Job Hunt
No matter where you are in your job search, there are a few things you should absolutely do to put yourself ahead of the curve.
- Find your why – This is a great time to consider why you’re looking for a new job and what kind of role do you want to be in. Also, think about where you want to be a few years down the line. Is there a specific role or title you want to achieve or a specific industry you want to work in? Always try to think about your future, even in your current search.
- Start your search – Some companies are more likely to set up an interview for a candidate that has a referral from a current employee. Start your search by reaching out to people within your network to learn about their experiences and, if applicable, ask if their companies have open positions available. You can start looking for jobs with networking apps like LinkedIn or online job boards such as Glassdoor, Indeed, Monster and others.
- Polish your resume – There are plenty of resources available for preparing your resume, but be sure to include experience, skills and education that’s recent and relevant for the role you’re looking for. Most importantly, make sure it’s clear, concise and contains absolutely no spelling or grammatical errors (which may get you disqualified before even being contacted for an interview).
- Check your social media – You’re free to post whatever you want on your social media, but just know that many hiring professionals will, at the very least, check them as part of their screening processes. If you have any posts that you wouldn’t feel comfortable with an employer seeing, either delete them or make your account private.
- Practice patience – While January and February are two big hiring months, remember that many companies likely won’t start filling their open positions right away. It might be multiple days or weeks before you hear back on the status of an application. You may even get multiple rejections before landing an interview. As frustrating as it can be, try to stay positive, keep looking and, eventually, you’ll find a good match.
Finding a Job With a Good Company
Obviously having things like a strong resume or a diverse skillset will help when you’re trying to stand out from dozens or even hundreds of applicants. However, if you’re in a position where you can be selective about finding a new job, it’s important to remember that the company you’re applying for should also be trying to impress you as much as you’re trying to impress them.
Ideally, the job you end up getting will be one that allows you to grow within your role as part of a long-term partnership. Even if it isn’t necessarily your “dream job”, you want the position and the company to take care of you and provide you with the relevant experience needed to eventually land that dream position (hopefully within the same company!). You’ll be devoting a lot of time to that company, so you should do everything you can to ensure you find a good one. Some things you can do include:
Examine their values.
To know which company is the best fit, you need to know what you’re looking for. First and foremost, a company’s values should align with yours. Maybe you care deeply about things like innovation and cutting-edge technology, or maybe you think every company should be committed to initiatives related to diversity and inclusion. If that’s the case, search the company’s website to find company mission statements or news reports to verify they practice what they preach.
Research pay, benefits and culture.
Along those same lines, use this time to also research other aspects of the company and your role. Check to see if there’s an estimated salary range or if they list the benefits or perks available to employees (such as stock options, flexible work schedules, facilities and more), and then compare that with your other offers or any other postings you are interested in. You can also look at what others in your area working in the same role make as a salary to ensure you’re getting paid similarly or better than the average rate.
Additionally, although they aren’t always the best indicators, don’t be afraid to look at reviews of the company. Not every company is perfect, but if you’re consistently seeing the same issues mentioned, it might be an indicator that the company’s culture is lacking. You can also ask around your network to see if they’ve heard anything related to a specific company and their culture.
Ask questions.
Recruiters and hiring managers want you to ask questions, and it’s important to use this opportunity to get any information you need straight from the source. Ask questions such as:
- What does your average workday look like?
- What are your expectations for this role?
- What metrics will you use to evaluate my performance?
- What is the company’s stance on work-life balance?
- How would you describe the company’s culture?
- What career development and advancement opportunities do you offer?
- Can you tell me more about the team?
Don’t be afraid to dig deep and ask as many questions as time will allow for. Naturally, hiring managers will try to put as much positive spin on their answers as possible, but listen closely to see if you can glean any information that will be useful as you look for jobs and make a decision.
Make Sure You Know Your Worth
Again, not everyone is fortunate enough to be in a position where they can choose between different job offers. However, if you do have that luxury, don’t feel like you have to settle for the first place that sends you an offer. You can continue to look around and find jobs that are more aligned with your beliefs and what you’re looking for in a company or specific role.
Be polite but firm with your demands, and don’t be afraid to turn down an offer or provide a counteroffer to see if that company will meet you in the middle. Remember, while there are thousands of available jobs out there, there’s only one you and companies should feel lucky to have you.
Good luck and happy hunting!