Four Ways to Start Your Job Search

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Starting a job search can be a daunting process, especially if you haven't been in the job market for an extended period of time. Whether you are new to this or you’re transitioning from one career path to another, there are certain tasks you must accomplish to stand out in a sea of job search candidates and move to the next step of being interviewed.

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Listed below are four things you should do before you begin to start applying for jobs. We’ve ranked them in order of importance.

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Update your resume

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​Start with your most recent employment experience and work backward. What types of roles are you looking for? Make sure you reframe your previous responsibilities to align with the roles you want.

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Get on LinkedIn

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​If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile, it’s time to create one. LinkedIn makes it very simple and intuitive to set up an account. Be sure to have a professional-looking headshot ready. Profiles without headshots look like spam accounts and those that have selfies from an unprofessional setting look, well, unprofessional. Click “Open to work” if you want to make your job search public. Once you have a profile, start connecting with former coworkers and friends to build your LinkedIn network. Write the occasional post, even if it's simply sharing an article you like because it will help to get people to notice your profile. If you already have a profile, start adding people who have jobs similar to the ones you want and watch their updates for a peek into the industry. If you’re an established professional with a lot of connections, start reaching out to those peers to ask about opportunities they may know about.

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Find a recruiter

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​Think of a recruiter as the one constant in an ever-changing job market, especially in these post-pandemic days. They know the employment market inside and out so they know what employers are looking for. The best part – recruiters are free for job seekers! They will become your partner in your job search because finding a job for you benefits their career too. Recruiters have large networks which means they have an inside scoop on jobs that haven’t been posted on job sites yet. Recruiters can also offer career advice right from the field as they know what skills clients are looking for and which skills may not be needed on your resume anymore.

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Network

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​Networking sounds intimidating but we promise it’s not! It’s as simple as telling your friends and acquaintances that you’re looking for a new job. You never know who will know someone who could end up being just the connection you need. If you’re the kind of outgoing person who loves in-person networking events, make sure you have a business card with your contact information for follow-ups.

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Trust the recruiting experts

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​ASK Consulting is a global recruiting firm servicing some of the world’s largest enterprises and corporations. They provide the most groundbreaking candidates in the IT, accounting, finance, legal and pharmaceutical sectors, ensuring our clients always have the strongest talent for their business. ASK will help you reach your career goals because it’s what they do best.

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​If you’re looking for a new job, check out our job board to see what roles we currently have open, or contact us to speak to a consultant directly.