The prospect of searching for your dream job can feel a little overwhelming. There are many job boards out there – with page after page of results. Going into your job search prepared will help you to navigate the process and hopefully find your dream job. We have some top tips and tricks below…
Get specific
Job boards will list hundreds of jobs from employers across the country – so it’s important to be specific with your job search. Yes, you’ll need to enter key words such as job title and location – but you can filter further than this. Advanced filters will allow you to enter salary brackets, contract types and geographical distances. Filtering this way will get you to appropriate job postings much quicker than scrolling through page after page of results.
Set alerts
Once you’ve filtered your search, you may want to save it. Most job boards will allow you to set alerts for your saved searches so that you’re always up to date on the latest vacancies that match your criteria. This will also save time on entering your preferences every time you browse for jobs!
Save it for later
Applying for jobs is time consuming. You need to commit to making sure that your application is relevant and stands out from the crowd (in a good way!). As we’ve mentioned before (in our Tips for securing your first role blog), it can be tempting to haphazardly apply for every job you come across – but this is not effective. The best thing that you can do is save the application for later, so that you can apply when you’re ready. Get your ducks in a row – some applications require cover letters or answers to screening questions. If you find a great role, save it for later and apply once you’re ready (but don’t forget and miss the deadline!)
Utilise the sites
It’s worth using a few different job board sites to maximise your search results. Not all companies will use the same job boards, so it’s worth having options. In some industries, there will be specific job board sites that companies will post on. The legal industry uses sites such as law gazette jobs and totally legal. Law firms and legal recruiters will advertise specific roles on these sites to attract the right candidates. Don’t be afraid to cast a wide net – you’re only increasing your chances of discovering your dream job!
Sometimes… pivot!
If you feel that you’ve exhausted your options on job board sites – don’t be afraid to change tactic. Try social media sites such as LinkedIn. Many companies favour posting their active jobs on LinkedIn as it is often used by professionals throughout their working day. LinkedIn is also a great place to reach out to your network or industry specific recruiters for support with your job search.
