No matter what industry or level of experience a job seeker has, often the search for employment can be a long one, filled with unexpected obstacles. These obstacles can range from technology barriers to slow hiring practices, but they don’t have to stand in your way as a job seeker. In this article, you will learn how to overcome job search barriers in five simple steps.
Step #1 – Establish a realistic job search target
One of the obstacles that many job seekers face is not being able to find enough of the kind of work that they want to do. This is because they may be searching for work that is no longer valid in the industry or have overly narrowed down to one or two job titles. Instead, do some research and find similar jobs based on tasks and knowledge. Use this to establish more realistic job searches that are targeted at skills rather than specific job titles.
Step #2 – Boost your professional image
Oftentimes, job seekers focus so much on the job hunt process, they forget that most recruiters will be checking out their social profiles and resume to see if they have what it takes to work for a company. A job seeker may leave something lacking on their profiles or post something that could be offensive. Be sure to clean up all profiles, polish up your resume, and put a great face forward in all interviews.
Step #3 – Expand your knowledge
Another obstacle that job seekers face is not having enough experience for a certain type of job. This can be overcome by becoming a lifelong learner and taking advantage of online classes and temporary assignments to learn the skills you need to get ahead in your career. Industry certification programs can often fast track you to success, and temporary jobs offer on-the-job training and assessments to help you improve your skills.
Step #4 – Seek guidance and support
A job search can be a lonely and depressing venture, filled with questions and concerns. Why not take advantage of the services of a qualified career coach, staffing manager, or career mentor to help guide you and give you the support you need? Register with a staffing agency in your industry for ongoing support with securing a job.
Step #5 – See the bigger picture
In the business world, it’s not all about YOU. Instead, it’s about being a valuable part of a team of professionals who get the job done. Keep this in mind as you search for jobs and interview with companies in the area. Find ways to emphasize your value to employers so you can be seen as a team player. Stay active in community service, and take temp assignments to remain connected to the real world.
While obstacles may arise in the search for a new job, it is important to not let those obstacles stand in your way. With the tips above, you will be well suited to overcome any obstacles that lay before you. If you need assistance in finding the right job, contact one of our Synerfac recruiters today!