How do you find a job? Everyone is hiring, but it sometimes feels like no one can find a job. This is not true! Companies hire all the time, and there are some things you can do to make job hunting more manageable and less painful. Keep in mind that hiring managers hate hiring as well–they’d like to get someone hired as quickly as possible. Knowing that little tip can help lower your stress level: you and the hiring manager want you to be the right person.
But, finding a new job can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are some tips to make finding a job a little bit easier.
If you are on the search for a job, we recommend ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is free to use and you can apply for jobs with a single click!
Discover Your Dream Job Find jobs near you and apply with 1 click! New jobs posted daily.
The Best Ways To Find A Job
The first step of job hunting is a simple one: Tell people you are looking for a new job. Making that one step can open doors for you. But that’s not the only thing you can do to aid you in your job hunt.
Ask Your Professional Connections For Referrals
Even if you are straight out of school, you have former classmates, teachers, and professors working in your desired field. If you’ve been working for a while, you definitely have contacts. These are professional contacts, and they have better insight into the area you want to work for.
You can ask your professional connections for referrals. This is where they help introduce you to someone else. They can submit your resume to their own company (and keep in mind, many companies offer their current employees referral bonuses!) or introduce you to a third person in your field.
Don’t be afraid to ask anyone you had a good professional relationship with. You can ask people above or below you in the company hierarchy. Just because someone is in an entry-level job and you’re looking for a senior position doesn’t mean they aren’t in a position to help. After all, what an excellent recommendation it is to have someone say, “I used to report to this person, and I’d love to do so again.”
When you ask for a referral, be honest! Don’t say you’re “looking for an informational interview” or “can I buy you a cup of coffee?” if you are looking for a new job. You can certainly buy someone a cup of coffee but be upfront. Try wording like this, “Hi, Jane, we worked together a few years ago at Acme, and I’m now looking for a new job in marketing. Does your current company have any vacancies in that area, or do you know someone who does?” People appreciate the upfront approach!
Pro Tip: LinkedIn is a great place to stay in touch with former classmates, teachers, professors and colleagues. For more information, check out our LinkedIn review. You can also explore our guide on how to network for more tips.
Use Job Search Platforms
Job search platforms can be great places to find new jobs. You can even combine networking and job platforms by looking up positions in companies where you already know people.
Use job search platforms to find a wide variety of jobs in your chosen field. Use multiple keyword variations to get the maximum amount of open positions.
You can use different platforms for different types of jobs. LinkedIn, for instance, tends to focus on professional, office-based, or remote jobs. Other job boards focus on specific niches, whether for medical jobs, accounting jobs, or anything else.
ZipRecruiter is a broad-based job board. With over 9 million jobs at any given time and 25 million active users, everyone will find jobs that fit their criteria. This job board makes it easy to narrow your search to jobs in your area or remote only jobs that match your criteria.
Discover Your Dream Job Find jobs near you and apply with 1 click! New jobs posted daily.
Join The Break Community
Joining a like-minded community, such as The Break Community, can significantly enhance your job search and career development. In today's interconnected world, the power of community cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to navigating the complexities of the job market.
Networking Opportunities
One of the primary benefits of being part of The Break Community is the access to a vast network of professionals. Networking is a crucial element in job hunting, often leading to opportunities that aren't advertised publicly.
By connecting with individuals who share similar career aspirations and values, you increase your chances of learning about new job openings, getting personal referrals, and gaining insights into different industries.
Personal Development and Empowerment
Being part of a community like The Break also contributes to personal development. Engaging with peers who are also striving for career success and personal growth can be incredibly motivating. It encourages a mindset of continuous learning and resilience, key traits for anyone looking to advance their career.
The community's emphasis on empowerment and professional development aligns perfectly with the aspirations of individuals seeking to break traditional work norms and find a career path that resonates with their personal values and goals.
Encouragement and Support
The emotional support from a community cannot be underestimated. Job hunting can be a stressful and often solitary journey. The Break Community provides a platform where members can share their challenges and successes, offering encouragement and understanding. This sense of belonging and mutual support is invaluable, especially during times of uncertainty or setbacks in one's career journey.
Why are you scrolling for jobs, when you should be working on YOU? Reclaim time and build confidence to move your career forward, on your terms.
Polish Your Resume
You need a good resume to get a good job–even if you have connections. Here is what you need to make your resume stand out.
Focus On Accomplishments, Not Tasks
Don’t just say what you were supposed to do (“Responsible for budget reconciliation process”). Say what you accomplished (“Managed budget reconciliation process, obtaining final results on time every year.”)
Have Someone Proofread Your Resume
It’s almost impossible to see our own mistakes! Get someone to read through your resume and correct your grammar. Our friends at TopResume offer a free resume review - no strings attached.
Use Bullet Points
Recruiters decide whether to move forward or reject your resume in an average of seven seconds! If you have paragraphs, it’s harder to know what you’ve accomplished. Use bullet points instead.
Make Your Resume Keyword Rich
Take three job descriptions that you want to apply for, and run them through a word cloud generator. It will tell you the most important keywords for your profession. Make sure your resume includes those keywords.
Get Help From A Resume Writing Service
Resume writing services are an affordable way to get professional help with your resume. If you are never landing interviews, your resume could be to blame! Learn more about the best resume writing services.
Join The Break Community
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a job immediately?
There are lots of entry-level jobs hiring immediately. Try applying at restaurants, retail, and manufacturing if you need a job immediately.
How do beginners find jobs?
Beginners find jobs the same way everyone else does–through networking and applying. If you don’t have any experience to put on your resume, include your school courses, volunteer work, and any jobs like babysitting or dog walking that you may have done.
How do you find a job you love?
Finding a job you love can be difficult, but the first step is to decide what you really want to do. Do you like working with people? Do you enjoy working with numbers? Do you want to be in an office or outside? When you’ve answered these questions, look for jobs that meet these criteria. Then make sure you interview the company just as they interview you. Ask challenging questions and really listen. Pay attention to company culture. Hopefully, you’ll get your dream job this way.
Can I quit my job due to stress?
That’s actually a great reason to quit your job. Of course, you should find a new one before you leave, but there is no reason to stay in a position you find stressful and unpleasant. Life is too short to be miserable.
The Bottom Line
Nobody likes job hunting! But with ZipRecruiter, your connections, and a great resume, you should be able to find the new job of your dreams.
