Elevate Your Job Search With Top Tips From the Pros - 2024/25 Edition

Slogging away at your job search to no avail? You’re not the only one. In today’s highly competitive landscape, and with hiring managers and talent acquisition teams notoriously overworked, it’s more challenging than ever to stand out.

But here’s the silver lining – hurrah! Most of the time, a few little tweaks are all you need to streamline your search and start getting some real traction – and that’s where we come in.

With fifteen years of recruitment experience, we’ve seen it all, and we’re here to share our best advice for accelerating your search in the current market – helping you get noticed, ace your interview and land that sweet new gig.

Get that resume (and LinkedIn profile!) updated

Blah, blah, blah – no one likes updating their resume. It’s a drag and you’d probably pawn it off on someone else if you could, but it really, really matters. Your resume and LinkedIn profile are your very first impression, and you never get a second chance at one of those.

Make sure both your resume and online presence are polished, up-to-date, tailored to the roles you’re targeting and (here’s the big one) memorable. Highlight your achievements, skills and experiences – the things that make you a standout candidate, the stuff you definitely want the hiring manager to take notice of. Consider adding a ‘Key Achievements’ section – make it as easy as possible for the person reviewing your resume to quickly identify why they simply have to get to know you better.

Oh, and remember that keywords do still matter! Use industry-specific terms that recruiters and hiring managers are likely to search for to give yourself a leg up.

Network, network and, oh sure, network some more

Networking is more important than ever, both online and offline. Search up local organizations and professional groups in your area and don’t be shy, put yourself out there and sign up to attend industry events! Many of these are available for free or at a very low cost, hosted at venues all over the place, from whiskey bars to coffee houses (and virtually, too!), and you never know where a conversation may lead.

And speaking of virtual, you’ve recently given your LinkedIn profile a little makeover, right? So go on and engage with companies and professionals in your sector! Building connections, even online, is a can’t miss way to open doors to opportunities that aren’t advertised on job boards or company websites.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to your contacts for informational interviews or advice – but make sure you’re polite and respectful of that person’s time, if they decline your offer, thank them and move on.

Take the time to tailor your applications

You know how you try on something that says ‘one-size-fits-all’ and – surprise! – one size definitely does not, in fact, fit all. Well, same same for job applications. The same way you wouldn’t consider wearing your eight year-old cousin’s sneakers or your great uncle Bo’s overalls, you shouldn’t consider using the same application for each and every job you apply to.

Each job application you submit should be specifically tailored to both the role and company. Yes, this is more work. No, it’s not really negotiable – and we promise it’s worth it!

The more you do this, the easier it’ll get to tweak your resume and application for the job you’re considering:

• Find recruiters in your area and reach out to those hiring for roles you’re interested in and qualified for.

• Get started with some quick research the company’s culture, values and recent achievements – easy to find on their website or socials.

• Customize your application to show how your unique skills and experiences align with their needs, and how you can contribute to their continued success.

• If reaching out on LinkedIn, craft a clear, specific message like, “I’m interested in the Senior Accountant role you posted. Would you be free for a conversation?”

Prepare (like, actually prepare) for every interview

You’ve already caught the attention of the hiring manager or recruiter with your stand-out LinkedIn profile and beautifully tailored application, and this is your first opportunity to show that you’re as good (or better!) in person as you look on paper.

Interview preparation is the key to making a great face-to-face impression, it shows you’re genuinely interested in the role, invested in the recruitment process and curious to learn more about the opportunity available.

To get ready, read up on common interview questions for your specific industry and practice your responses until you feel confident – confidence and preparation can set you apart from other candidates. Review your resume and be ready to discuss your career achievements, how you’ve overcome challenges in previous roles and why you’re interested in both the opportunity and the company.

Bonus tip: Prepare some questions for the hiring manager! Interviews aren’t just for the employer, they’re a great chance for you to learn about them, too.

Invest in yourself with continuous learning and skill development

Stay ahead of the curve by continuously learning and developing new skills. In today’s job market, being adaptable and open to change is a must, and employers love to see it.

Demonstrate that you’re invested in your own professional growth and career development by:

• Signing up for online courses (a quick Google search will bring up loads, and you can browse ’til your heart’s content to find something that piques your interest and fits your price point!)

• Attending workshops or industry-specific webinars, panels and discussions

• Earning certifications relevant to your field

• Inquiring about training and development opportunities with the organization you’re interviewing with

Expressing interest in expanding your knowledge and building your skillset is a major green flag for most employers, and it’s great stuff to add to your ever-evolving resume and LinkedIn profile, too!

Consider all your options

Have you given any thought to expanding your search? Some professionals have found success in a tough market by considering a lateral move into a different sector, a physical move to a new city or even broadening their search to include roles they consider to be ‘below’ the position they held previously, whether that be in title or compensation.

It’s a difficult choice – after all, we live in a world where we think we should always be reaching for the next big thing, climbing the corporate ladder and all that, and taking a step backwards can feel like a real blow, but the idea does have it merits, for those open to exploring them.

Evaluating the long-term benefits of the position and opportunity for growth at the organization is crucial. Every role offers something valuable, even if it’s not immediately obvious. Embracing these opportunities can often lead to unexpected experiences and rewarding career growth for those who decide to take the path less travelled.

Manage your expectations (and cut yourself some slack!)

To reiterate, the major consensus here is that job searching can be tough, and it’s easy to get discouraged. Hiring managers are notoriously busy and, on top of that they get dozens and dozens of generic emails from hopeful job hunters daily, so if you’re not seeing the results your after, cut yourself some slack.

Stay positive, persistent and patient (we know, easier said than done). Try to celebrate small wins along the way, like getting a positive response or making it to the next round of interviews. Keep your end goal in sight and remember that each step is a learning experience and brings you one step closer to your dream job.

And what do we bring to the table? Quite a bit, actually

Our team of experienced, specialized and all-around wonderful recruiters is here to support you every step of the way, so you don’t have to go it alone! We understand the challenges you’re facing, the ebbs and flows of the current market and have the expertise to help you navigate your search in a more streamlined, effective way.

Dedicated to providing personalized guidance to help you succeed, our extensive network of employers means we can connect you with opportunities that match your skills and aspirations, we’re here to make sure you don’t just find any job, but the right job.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Let’s do this!