Foolproof Tips for Optimizing and Organizing Your Job Search

Never start a job search without being suitably prepared. Following a consistent method will not only save you time and energy but will also help you stand out from other candidates. It's so simple to get the odds on your side: all you have to do is follow these tips!

Tip 1: Update your job application tools

What's the first step you should take before embarking on a job search? Updating your job application tools. Starting out in the professional world requires you to respect a certain number of rules and guidelines. Writing a resume and a cover letter is, of course, one of them. Generally speaking, it is impossible to prepare one standard template to use for all job applications (integrate internal link), each one must be perfectly adapted to the position and the company for which you are applying. If you are applying for a specific sector, you will however be able to prepare a single resume in advance, which will serve as a basis for your application (integrate internal link). With a little bit of effort, you will be able to create a comprehensive, effective, and visually impressive resume.

Tip 2: Identify your priority targets

In the job search process, it is better to target the companies you want to work for than to send applications across the board. Nowadays, there are a number of solutions that will allow you to easily find offers that match your profile. If you are on unemployment benefit in France, the French public employment service Pôle Emploi can present you with jobs that match your profile. On the Internet, you can also find many specialized sites with listings for companies looking for new employees. To evaluate the potential of employers in the area by sector, you can also visit Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Don't hesitate to go and walk around the trade shows that interest you. When talking with companies, job offers are never far away.

Tip 3: Learn how to better manage your time

Searching for a job can be a particularly time-consuming activity. While it is essential to be fully involved in the search, being overzealous can quickly become counterproductive. Driving yourself to the point of mental and physical fatigue is never a good idea if you want to promote your profile successfully. To optimize your time, you will need to carefully organize each day. For example, always do your job prospecting in a calm environment at a designated time of the day. Set up a research calendar over several weeks and keep track of all the companies or people contacted.

Tip 4: Keep track of what you have done

In the professional world, rigor often goes hand in hand with efficiency. To put all the odds on your side, it is strongly advised to keep a tracking sheet, which could for example take the form of an Excel spreadsheet. In it, you can carefully group together the names of the companies you have contacted, specify the nature of the application (spontaneous or not) and indicate whether or not you have received a response. This will also allow you to indicate follow-up dates and gather important information about the company. For example, contact addresses or the name of the recruitment officer.

Tip 5: Make use of your personal and professional networks

In France, about 70% of job postings are not visible online. To get access to numerous job offers, it is therefore essential to make use of your personal and professional networks. As is always the case, communication is very important here. Therefore, never hesitate to tell your contacts about your job search situation and send them an updated resume. Most of them will let you know if an opportunity arises. This means that you will be informed of a job opening before the job posting is even published. This can be key to the success of your project.

Tip 6: Pay attention to your e-communications

In an ultra-connected society like ours, it is impossible to do without social networks, and this of course applies to the work environment and job search. Some platforms are actually specialized in this field, such as LinkedIn or Viadeo for example. So don't forget to register, create a profile, and update your information regularly. Recruiters will not hesitate to contact you if they like your profile. To optimize your chances, also think about posting your resume on a resume database adapted to your area of activity!

Tip 7: Keep up to date

Looking for a new job requires continuous effort. There is no point in doing it for a week and then giving up because you didn't get immediate results. Job offers are regularly updated. It is therefore essential to be in a position to respond as quickly as possible. In the professional world, reactivity is a major quality. Therefore, do not hesitate to consult your reference sites regularly and check your e-mail inbox and your answering machine daily. To make sure you don't miss anything, you can also set up monitoring tools, such as "job alerts" or specialized newsletters.