Searching for a job is tough enough as it is. There are job boards to search, open positions to review, cover letters to write, and resumes to update and adjust to precisely fit each job you want to apply to, all of which can feel like a full-time job in itself. 

But if you’ve been sending out resume after resume and it feels like you’re spinning your wheels, it might be time to consider whether you’re utilizing all the tools and tips you can to make yourself stand out from other applicants. 

See How to Master the Art of Job Searching to Become the Strongest Possible Candidate: 

• Be focused. Before you start to apply to any and all open positions, think about what you really want. What kind of job do you think would best fit your qualifications and interests? Take a little time to think about your career goals and ambitions; consider your strengths and weaknesses or areas in which you’d like to improve in the field you’ve worked in (or the industry you’d like to break into). Understanding your goals and objectives from the beginning will help you search for the jobs you’re most qualified for and the ones that best align with your interests, which can save you a lot of time in the long run. 

• Revamp your resume. With your goals clearly in mind, take a look at your resume. Does it highlight all the skills and accomplishments you’ve collected and earned in your employment history? Have you included all pertinent job experience that will show your qualifications for the jobs you’re applying for, showing that you’re knowledgeable and prepared to do a great job? Be sure to list any certifications, awards, recognitions, commendations, or other notable wins and successes that show you’ve been applauded for your outstanding work. Use strong, active words and quantify achievements whenever possible — if you increased the number of clients you worked with, be sure to note how many and how long it took to make that change; if you’ve reduced wait time or improved efficiency, note how much time was saved, etc. When this is done, it’s time to take some highlights from your resume and turn it into a stellar cover letter that will serve as the best first impression a company could have (at least until they call you in for an interview and meet you in person!). 

• Improve your LinkedIn profile. Once your resume has been polished to brilliance, make sure your LinkedIn or other professional profiles are similarly updated and properly tagged. Many recruiters — like ours at Davis Staffing! — I will go to professional pages and profiles to look for people who are qualified for open positions and reach out to you with opportunities that seem like a good fit for your talents and work experience. You want to use your professional profiles as networking tools as well as self-promotion tools, sharing ideas with like-minded, driven people who might be able to open doors for you. It is critically important, first and foremost, that your resume is up-to-date and as impressive as possible in order to attract more attention! 

• Network and receive help. Networking might sound like a buzzword, but it’s a fantastic tool. You never know when someone you associate with online might hear of an opportunity that could be perfect for you! If you’ve allotted a certain amount of time each day to your job search, spend some of that time brushing up on your networking skills. This could be sharing information on professional sites, attending meetings or networking functions in your community, anything that helps you meet new people! Let people know your interests and what kinds of job you’d like to find and tell them you’d be really appreciative if they kept you in mind should they hear of something that fits. People are generally and genuinely eager to help someone! They just need to know what you’re looking for and how they can be of assistance. At the same time, it’s a great way to meet new friends and brush up your people skills and you might just learn something fun along the way! 

• Work with a staffing company. When you’ve updated your resume and written an incredible cover letter condensing all your great abilities and experiences into a succinct, clear format, do yourself the biggest favor by calling a staffing firm — like Davis Staffing! Our recruiters are specially trained to help people find great jobs and will work with you to understand your options while helping you access any training or certification programs that will take your skills and resume to the next level. We exist to help great candidates like you find opportunities with our clients, forming relationships that will benefit everyone and will help you advance your career. Best of all, our services don’t cost you a dime! We’re paid by our clients to quickly find outstanding candidates for their open positions, and we’re eager to help you succeed. 

Let Davis Staffing Help You Make the Job Search Easier

If you’re frustrated by the job search, do yourself the favor of updating your resume, sharing your story and insights online and then calling Davis Staffing to help take your search to the next level. We’re eager to help support you and help you find your next great job! Give us a call today, and let’s get started.