One of the most frustrating things about looking for a job is that it can feel like a never-ending process. Especially when you’re receiving little feedback or positive encouragement, you can start to get the feeling that you’re buckled in for the long haul, sifting through job ads and sending out your resumes and cover letters ad infinitum.
Accelerating your job search takes diligence; you have to be willing to put in the work that is necessary to speed up the process.
The very best job searches are short, but they also culminate in a job that is right for you. If you’re ready to accelerate your search, here is how you can go about it.
Get Networking
The power of networking is often brought up in reference to the job search, but it truly has become a very important part of the way connections are made between individuals and companies. Networking is valuable because it allows for recruiters to put a name to your face, to make a real connection that will help distinguish you from the other candidates.
Some people find the concept of networking intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be an intimidating experience. Recruiters are receptive to making connections with potential candidates, and putting yourself out there can help establish your confidence and capabilities in a strong way.
Work with a Staffing Agency
On your own, the job search can feel overwhelming. It takes a lot of time and a lot of energy to source positions you might be interested in and then to craft compelling applications that will give you an advantage.
The great thing about working with a staffing agency is that it gives you access to a professional team that comes backed with years of experience and training in precisely this task—finding jobs for candidates. They have remarkable insight into what recruiters are looking for in potential candidates, into positions you might not be aware of, and in the ways in which you can make yourself stand out.
When you sign up with a staffing agency, you’re no longer conducting your job search on your own. You’re paired with a team that is intent on finding you a great position that you can thrive in. The benefit of having other people on your team doesn’t just come from the additional insights. With more people working towards finding you a job, your search goes a lot faster.
Craft an Amazing Cover Letter
While a resume can often feel like a dry listing of the responsibilities and skills associated with your previous work experiences, the cover letter is where your application can truly come alive. A great cover letter allows you to do several things: stand out from the other applications in a way that goes above and beyond the qualifications you share with the other candidates, demonstrate your communication skills, and emphasize your enthusiasm for the position.
Great cover letters give the recruiter a sense of who you are as a person, not just as a list of skills. Every cover letter you write through the course of your job search should be tailored to the specific position you’re applying for. It’s important to pull out the skills and qualifications you have in that letter that are most relevant to the job, while also illustrating how some of the other skills you have could benefit the position.
Remember that recruiters are reading through a lot of cover letters; make yours something that will give them pause. Your first paragraph should be especially strong—because recruiters read so many cover letters, they’ll often determine by the end of the paragraph if they’re interested in the candidate.
