You may have recently graduated or been
in the job market for eons but one thing we all have in common is that we will
look for a job at one time or another. This makes the employment pool very
competitive with both fresh graduates and experienced individuals competing
with one another.
Therefore there is a great need for one
to get an edge and stay ahead of the pack when looking for a job.
There are three key steps to follow if your search for a job is to bear fruit
early:
1.
Know exactly what you want: This applies to all facets of life whether it is looking for a
job, a house, a car or even a life partner. There are numerous people who are
looking for a job and yet have no idea what kind of position they would want to
work in. The Swahili saying “Mtaka yote hukosa yote” (He who wants everything
loses out on everything) applies in this case.
Identifying what you
want works like an invisible force, driving you towards your goal and bringing
your goal within your reach. It is not a 100% guarantee that you will get
exactly what you want but you will land close. Focus also allows you to narrow
down and concentrate your efforts on achieving a specific goal. It goes without
saying that you will definitely reap results eventually.
2.
Look for leads. Keep looking for leads. Keep looking for more
leads: If necessity
is the mother of invention, then persistence is the godmother. Once you
identify exactly what you want to do then you need to go out and seek it. Leads
for job opportunities will not line up outside your bedroom door with paper
towels and a tray full of condiments. You need to be aggressive and relentless.
You need to be creative
and think outside the box. No one ever got anywhere by sitting and looking
pretty. Stay in touch with friends, expand your network of associates and
acquaintances and don’t be shy about asking whether there are available
openings in their companies or organizations.
Do be careful not to be
a pest though; make sure that not all your encounters are about asking for job
opportunities. Be flexible and open to opportunities that may lead to your
dream job. Don’t shy off from applying for short-term jobs or contracts. You
never know where they may lead you. For example a company may be looking to
hire people to carry out a stock-taking exercise for 3 days and end up hiring
the best performers from the lot.
3.
Stay on your toes: Prepare and always have some draft applications ready to send
for the various positions you are interested in. Seek out a professional cover
letter writing service if you’re not able to draft a general application that
you can customize.
It is not advisable to send your
application whenever you please simply because a job advert does not have a
deadline. If anything, those are the advertisements to be very quick to send
out an application. The further the deadline the faster you may need to apply
because the company may find the ideal candidate just two days after
advertising.
It does not make financial sense to
continue carrying out interviews once the perfectly fitting candidate has been
found. Now many of you probably have an idea why you never seem to get
responses yet your credentials are a perfect match for the job description.
These are just a few simple tips that can turn your job-hunting around and make it a complete success this year. Don’t sit back and waste time. Get up and get moving!
These are just a few simple tips that can turn your job-hunting around and make it a complete success this year. Don’t sit back and waste time. Get up and get moving!
By Sylvia Mwaura
Source: CP
