11 Items to Include On Your Pre Job Search Checklist

Therefore, we prepared our checklist of the fundamental steps:

Start with yourself. Aptitude diagnostics. 

Find out where your dream job resides.

Now when you are sure about the position that might fit your talents, you need to define your target company type. Find companies searching for similar specialists. Identify their industry, size, location, and even culture.

Get acquainted with the job research engines, which are the most appropriate for a position of your type. Besides, check offers on the LinkedIn platform. It is advisable to monitor the situation for several weeks to spot the overall tendencies.

Consider remote options.

Considering the present situation, many people are adjusting to the new reality by shifting to remote working options. Give at a thought. Perhaps, this is what you’ve wanted.

Clean up your social media.

HR specialists and managers often pay considerable attention to the LinkedIn profiles of the candidates. Discrepancies between a resume and a profile may cause some confusion. Unfortunately, it may result in rejection at the early stages or additional questions in the interview. Try to eliminate all the matters with no value add.

Besides, quite often, recruiters search for the candidates on such platforms as LinkedIn, thus, make sure your profile looks as good as possible.

Find references.

A list of professional references may be rather beneficial for your job search. It is a good idea to prepare a documented list of your references beforehand. Take your time. Think about the relationship with your previous employers, colleagues, or even teachers and advisors. Make sure you select the best people to speak on your behalf.

Do people.

But the work is in the conversations you have with people in your industry, former coworkers, and layers of introductions (friend of a friend of a friend).

Try to contact headhunters and hiring managers to learn about possible openings and even generate some interviews.

Track your job applications and follow-up.

Proper organizing and managing your application process requires control and tracking. Don’t get lost in numerous opportunities, job descriptions, and application deadlines — have a separate spreadsheet containing all this information. Nowadays, there are multiple apps and software that can automate the process.

Salary negotiation preparation.

Be prepared for the salary question and be well-informed of your market value.  Get a realistic view of the compensation scale concerning your field.

Besides, be prepared to discuss the options. Do not be afraid. A reasonable employer will not reject your applications just because of salary negotiation.

Get a feel for the company. 

A well-prepared candidate who has a feel of the company is highly appreciated. Knowing more about the company makes you feel more comfortable.

Learn the specifics like goals, mission, policies, products, and culture.  Check the company’s social media profiles and various feedbacks from reliable sources. Spending some more time for this time appears to be extremely efficient.

Make interview preparations.

While waiting for hiring managers to call you back, keep adding more job interviews for your schedule. Make sure you will not be surprised by the interview offer and a job offer. Prepare answers for the most common interview questions and think about questions you would like to ask. In case you are not well familiar with the video interviews, make some test runs and rehearsals.

Remain patient.

Summary 

For many people, keeping an eye on new job opportunities is an essential part of professional development. Others face the need for job search due to career change or first employment. Despite the initial reason, the job search is complicated and tedious. Being prepared for each step will save you time and nerves.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the “The Voice of Job Seekers!” I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be “the prescription to an employer’s job description.” You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development.

Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, “421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!”

You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.