First and foremost, you need to have a clear vision of what you want. Do you want to continue down the same career path or do a job search for something new? You may want to be open to opportunities that arise however a winning job search strategy is essential to keep you focused on landing the job you want. 

A Disciplined Approach to your Job Search 

Your job search needs your time and attention. Applying for a couple of jobs here and there is not a winning job search strategy. Finding the job of your dreams requires dedication and a broader approach. Applying for job postings when they first go up is extremely important. For highly attractive coveted roles, recruiters can receive hundreds of applications within the first few days. Once the hiring manager or recruiter has enough qualified candidates, they stop looking even though the job is still posted. Set up alerts to ensure you are updated on the types of jobs you are seeking. 

Highlight Your in Demand Skills 

First and foremost, do your research to determine in demand skills. Even if you are not currently looking, this is a worthwhile exercise. As a result of everchanging organizational needs, globalization and technology, in demand skills continue to evolve. It is critical to stay current and update your skills regularly to stand out as a viable candidate. Have you done your research to determine what are in demand skills today? Are you committed to keeping your skills fresh to show you are flexible and can adapt to changes. It is a highly desirable quality for companies when filling key positions. 

Expand Your Horizons

Are you putting feelers out there? Reaching out to your contacts to see what’s out there is vital to a winning job search strategy. Networking is key to landing the job you want. Your inner circle is familiar with you as a job candidate, what you have accomplished and can attest to your work ethic. It is crucial to have people in your corner that you can seek out. Tap into those valuable resources, they may not have anything now but you never know what will come in the future. 

Building Your Brand 

Building your brand is essential, specifically optimizing your resume so it aligns with the types of positions you are interested in. The majority of companies today are using ATS (applicant tracking system). You want to ensure your resume does well with ATS so including relevant key words and key content is imperative in getting noticed. A well written, targeted cover letter will help you stand out. If you aren’t sure if your resume is optimized for ATS, consider using a professional resume writer. Once you have your resume and cover letter, make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated which includes a very strong headline that is optimized for search results. Although your LinkedIn profile should not read exactly like your resume, the information should be accurate and consistent. 

Follow these tips for a winning job search strategy. Happy searching!