10 steps of a successful job hunting process

How to successfully find a job? What are the steps you should take? Let’s take a look at this article and you will find your answers.

What is job hunting?

Job hunting (or job searching, job seeking) is the process of trying to get employed. A job hunting is carried out due to unemployment, dissatisfaction with a current position or desire for a better opportunity.  

10 steps of a job hunting process

Step 1: Assessing your needs

Firstly, you must get to know what you have and what you need.

When you were a kid, people would ask you: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” What was your answer at that moment? The response usually fell in five categories: teacher, doctor, lawyer, policeman, and the president of the country. People usually stop giving that question to children over ten years old. But for many people, the exact answer cannot be identified until university or college graduation. What about you? Can you answer the question about your ideal job?

You should spend time doing research on not only job opportunities but also yourself. Consider these factors: your personality, interests, values, personal skills and abilities.

These assessments will give you some potential career paths. Then, after you get the results of career exploration, you may find the right path to follow.

>>> See more: 10 helpful tips for job hunting

Step 2: Researching jobs

After spending time on yourself, let’s do some researches on your career. It is better to identify what kind of job you want before preparing yourself to apply for it.

You should consider these things:

    -     Researching career type: What kind of job do you want? A job related to training? Finance? Writing? ...

    -     Researching industries: You must understand the industry that you want to work in. How it works? How you can be involved in? What types of jobs it offers? What it is like to work in the industry?

    -     Researching locations: Where do you want to work? Can you take a job away from home? Do you intend to move to a new place?

    -     Understanding career requirements: You should have a list of experience, skills, knowledge required. What you need to improve? What you need to learn?

Step 3: Finding an employer

After getting to know clearly about the type of job you want, you need to find an employer that offers that job. So, what are the best methods to find the right employer?

Here are common methods that you can use:

    -     Using your network: Ask a friend, a family member or use your business network to find job openings that match your skills and needs. Many jobs are found through networking.

    -     Looking through employment website (an employment website is a website that allows employers to post job openings, some other websites offer careerrelated services such as career advice, employer reviews, application documents creating tools).

    -     Using newspapers: Some employers still post their open positions on traditional newspapers.

    -     Using headhunters or recruiters.

    -     Research the company’s website to see if they have the job you want.

    -     Going to a job fair: Companies go there to introduce their businesses and fill their job openings.

Step 4: Preparing application documents

Application documents include CV, cover letter, and other related documents as required.

CV (resume)

People look at your CV to know about you. It tells your education, your experience, your skills, your job expectations. Your CV needs to demonstrate how you will fit in the company, how you will contribute to their development. Also, your CV should show that you have the right skills and experience that the job requires. You can include some achievements you have gained in the past.

But remember to keep it summarized. Employers do not have time to closely look at your CV. Also inlcude your referees to increase reliability. The referees should know well about your work and your achievements.

Cover letter

You send a cover letter together with your CV to provide additional information on your education, skills and experience. When the employers look at your cover letter, they can see if you are qualified for the position you are applying for. So, do not just coppy your CV. It is better to include some specific information to tailor your cover letter to the job requirements.

A good cover letter also shows your enthusiasm and effort on the opening position. However, your cover letter should not be too long. Keep it on one page.

Online profile

Besides your traditional application documents, spend time updating your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is a professional networking site that has become popular with employers. Many employers use LinkedIn to fill their open position. Thus, a good LinkedIn profile can help you appear in their search results.

    -     Use social media to boost your public profile and connect with other professionals in the industry.

    -     Create an inductryspecific social media account.

    -     You may want to use a blog, instagram or flickr as an online portfolio if the industry requires creativity.

>>> 4 things job seekers need to know about job hunt services

Step 5: Applying for jobs

Once you found out the jobs you want to apply for, it is time to start the recruitment process. You may send them your CV, cover letter, other documents as required (or use their application form, it depends). These documents should include important information that employers are looking for.

Step 6: Preparing for interviews and test (if any)

If you are selected for the next step of the recruitment process, the employer will contact you via phone or email to set up an interview and test (if any). The interview is conducted for the employer to understand more about your personality, your skills and experience. This is also a chance for you to know if you would fit in the company’s culture. Thus, prepare carefully.

    -     Do some research on the company: company’s full name (some candidate did not even know the full name of the company they applied for), locations, website, year established, industry, major products or services, strengths and weaknesses.

    -     Read the job description again and note key information in case the interviewer asks.

    -     Research some potential questions and practice answering.

    -     Prepare some questions to ask the interviewer. Do not ask things that you can find the answers yourself.

    -     You can also be asked to do some tests on your skills, IQ or personality. So, practice some mock tests before your interview. Mock tests can be found online.

Step 7: Taking part in the interview

First impressions are extremely important.

    -     Do not be late.

    -     Wear something that is comfortable, simple and looks professional.

    -     Do not be shy but avoid overconfidence.

    -     When the interviewer asks a question, speak clearly and coherently. Do not talk too much about things that are not related to the topic. The interviewer will not give you too much time.

    -     Keep a positive attitude.

    -     Do not critise your previous jobs and employers.

Step 8: Getting an offer letter

When applying for a job, of course you want to recieve an offer letter. And naturally you will want to accept it immediately. However, you should read the offer letter carefully and consider the benefits, KPI, ... as well as the impacts brought if you leave the job.

Make sure you understand all things mentioned before signing it.

Step 9: Dealing for benefits

If you are not happy with the offer, you may want to negociate on salary, number of paid leaves, working hours, traning and opportunity to learn new skills. If you and the employer cannot come to a mutual agreement, you may want to find another job or just accept what they offer.

If you find that the employer does not have the authority to negociate or make changes, do not attempt to negociate. You are putting them in a difficult position without getting any positive result. Just ask them for their advice.

Step 10: Accepting and beginning a new job

Congratulation! Sign in the contract and start your new job. Let’s prepare for the first day. You may need three to four weeks to get acquainted with the work.

Image sources: Internet.