If you’re a job seeker, you may need to change your job search techniques again now that the pandemic is more controlled. 

This article explains the most effective job search techniques you can employ during and after the pandemic. Job search is a difficult skill for many of us, but it can be improved while gaining other business skills during your job search.

Change Your Mindset

Many companies are hiring again, especially for remote positions. Online job postings will be more frequent in 2022. Consider working remotely for a company in another state, and mention that in your cover letter. 

Get Comfortable Networking

Networking is a great skill, but it’s difficult for many of us to get motivated and reach out to others. Networking events are on the rise where you can attend and meet people from different industries and companies. Keeping up with your online networking skills is also recommended.

The quickest and most effective way to network online is to look for like-minded professional groups on sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook. Search for groups that interest you and join them. Become comfortable networking by adding comments, posting, or sharing relevant business posts. Make yourself visible. Always keep the conversation professional and on relevant business topics – no politics, religion, or other personal topics. As you become known in a group, you never know who may reach out to you with an open position at their company (did you know that referral candidates have a 15% higher rate of being hired than someone who responds to a job ad?).

It also helps to network with friends, former colleagues, mentors, etc. Tell them your story and ask them about their story. Share a video chat to get comfortable using that platform. Not comfortable with Zoom? Practice with a friend or family member to learn the correct settings to showcase yourself favorably in case you have a video interview. Video interviews are increasingly more common today.

Create a List of Targeted Companies
Take the time to sit down in a quiet place and reflect on what you want to do in your career. List the companies you are interested in and job titles. Focus on these companies and reach out to them in several ways:
⦁ First, research the company online and see if they are hiring for a physical or remote position. Look for job descriptions on their job board. Set up Google alerts to notify you if an article is posted about this company to stay current.
⦁ Secondly, contact the HR department and inquire about hiring activity for the position(s) that you seek. Get a contact name and email address and send them your resume if they sound interested.
⦁ Thirdly, on LinkedIn, you can search for employees at each company you’ve listed and send them an invite to connect. You can learn a lot by knowing someone on the inside. Tell them who you are and that you’d like to communicate with another person in the same field. Start a conversation or have a video chat.

Boost Your Skills
While at home, you can research free online training courses to help advance your skills and marketability. If there’s a certification or license you’ve wanted to get, now is the time to do it. Add these skills to your resume to become more valuable.

Sharpen your Microsoft skills or visit one of the free online course sites such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) or edX. There are also websites with low-cost courses, such as Udemy and Shaw Academy.

Job search has changed, and knowing more effective ways to land your next job is vital to your success. These simple job search techniques take time, but you’ll find better opportunities once you’ve mastered them. Stay focused, build your skills, network, and take the time to research companies.