Looking for a Job? Go Back to Basics
Are you looking for a job? If so, you're probably getting plenty of advice. From old friends and colleagues to experts on LinkedIn, there are plenty of folks out there who want to guide your search.
The problem is that even well-intentioned insights can be less than helpful if they don't apply to your situation or goals. Further, you only have so much time to devote to a job search—without cloning yourself, you can't possibly do everything everyone says you "should" be doing to get hired.
You also only have so much time and money, and an almost overwhelming number of people and companies are trying to sell you tools, apps, and strategies to improve your resume and your job search. Some are free, some are fee-based, some are helpful, and others are not. The bottom line is that you don't need most of them when you're getting started.
If this is your current situation, take heart and tune out the noise. Going back to basics will help you get your job search back on track.
Assess Your Needs
Are you looking for your dream job or just trying to keep the lights on? Both can be true, by the way, but before you start searching in earnest, it's essential to have a firm grasp of your short—and long-term goals.
To do that, you need to assess your needs. If you're like many Americans, you don't have much in the way of an emergency fund. So, if you're job searching while unemployed, your top priority might be finding a way to make money quickly. Consider part-time, freelance, or temporary jobs to help pay the bills while you search.
Plan a Strategy
Once you've determined your goals and filled those short-term needs, you can settle in for the long haul—and it's important to accept that it might be a long haul. Surveys show that finding a job can take several months or more. It's not just you: this really is a long, tricky, time-consuming process. Plan to do a little each day, whether it's pruning your resume, looking for job listings, or keeping in touch with networking contacts.
And don't forget to take care of yourself in the process. Job searching can be stressful, and it's essential to incorporate self-care into your routine.
Advertise That You're Open to Work
One of the easiest ways to get noticed by employers is to advertise your availability on LinkedIn. Recruiters use it to find candidates actively seeking employment. Open to Work also shows your connections and prospective employers that you're in the job market. Here's when and how to use Open to Work to market your candidacy and get your credentials noticed.
Use Free Tools to Speed Up Your Job Search
There are many apps and websites that won't do much to help your job search, but there are others that are worth using. Use these free tools to streamline your job search. The list includes checklists to get started, resume and cover letter writing and editing tools, the best ways to find job postings, and apps to manage and track your job search.
Build a Resume You Can Tweak for any Job
When was the last time you updated your resume? If it's been over a year—or you're actively job searching—it's time for an edit. Ensure your resume highlights your most relevant experience and cut anything outdated, including old jobs that no longer relate to your current career goals and lines like "references upon request."
Starting from scratch? Use one of the many free resume templates available online to create a basic document, which you can customize for each opportunity. And do customize it—a targeted resume is essential for a successful job search. Remember that hiring managers want to interview candidates interested in that specific job, not just any job.
Match Your Qualifications to the Job Description
Get out of the habit of skimming job postings. Instead, dig into the details provided to learn which of your qualifications will impress the hiring team most. Look for keywords related to the skills, abilities, and experience required, and then match your qualifications to the job in your resume, cover letter, and interviews.
Create a Targeted Cover Letter
In an era when job seekers in many industries have multiple social media profiles, online resumes, and portfolios, it might seem strange to labor over a cover letter. Doesn't a cover letter just restate what your other documents, profiles, and sites already reveal?
Well, yes and no. It's true that a hiring manager could probably figure out from your (well-organized, targeted) resume that you're the perfect candidate for the job. But given that recruiters typically spend seconds reviewing a resume, there's a good chance they'd miss how awesome you are.
A targeted cover letter gives you a chance to tell that story yourself. Again, templates are your friend here, but you'll need to customize your letter for each opportunity. Remember that even when job titles are similar, employers' requirements will be different, even if subtly so.
Find Job Leads Quickly
When you're looking for a job, time is of the essence. You simply don't have hours to waste searching in the wrong places or talking to the wrong people. To maximize your job hunting time, here’s how to look for job leads:
Create a target list of companies: Applying directly to companies you'd like to work for can save a lot of job-hunting time. Review the benefits of focusing your search on specific companies and advice on creating a target list of employers.
Use Google: One of the quickest ways to find new job listings is to search Google using the "Date Posted" feature. Search Google for the job title and location you're interested in (or select Remote). Then click Date Posted and choose Yesterday, Last 3 Days, or Last Week. You'll be able to get ahead of the competition and get your application in early.
On job search sites: Use the best job search engines to find job listings that are right for you. Search by keyword and location and sign up for email alerts based on your focus.
Through social media: Social media can help you find job listings, build your professional network, and create a personal brand. It's also an easy way to let your contacts know you're searching for work.
Through friends and colleagues: Networking remains one of the best ways to find a job, with some experts estimating that as many as 85% of jobs are filled via referral. Best of all, networking can support other methods of finding job leads. For example, if you find a job listing that looks promising on LinkedIn, you might remember that you have a contact at the employer and ask them to put in the good word.
At your college career services office: Many colleges offer free job search assistance to alums for life. So, even if you graduated long ago, it's worth reaching out to your college career services office to see if they can hook you up with leads, resume help, interview coaching, and more.
Via informational interviews: Using LinkedIn or your professional network, connect with hiring managers at employers where you'd love to work. Set up informational interviews to learn about the company culture, potential job opportunities, and employee requirements.
Note: These meetings typically do not lead directly to job openings, so don't plan on targeting roles during your first conversations. However, they are a chance to build a relationship with folks on the inside and get an idea of how to present yourself as an ideal candidate.
Through professional associations: Join industry groups and associations and gain a built-in support network of people in your field. Get advice from people who understand your career and stay in the loop on emerging trends, opportunities, and resources.
Be Careful About Using AI
Despite the hype about AI, it's not a one-stop shop for all your job-searching needs. It's a good tool for creating drafts, editing, and proofreading your application materials. But you need to carefully tweak and edit your resume and cover letters if you use AI. Otherwise, your materials could look just like everyone else's, which isn't going to help you get hired.
Those tools that say they will apply for jobs for you so you can send out hundreds of applications quickly? It's easy for yours to get overlooked because of the overwhelming number of applications many employers get because of mass application tools. Instead, less is more.
Take the time to apply to jobs where you're a fit, make sure your resume and cover letter show that you're a match, and use your connections at the company, if you have some, to help promote your application.
Watch out for scams, scams, and more scams. Thanks to AI, there are fake jobs, companies, hiring managers, recruiters, interviews, and job offers. They are designed to steal your data or even your identity. Worst of all, it's hard to tell what's real and what's not. So, very carefully check out the jobs you do apply for. Check the company website (and make sure it's the real one) to see if the job is posted there. Apply directly on the company site to avoid getting scammed.
New & Noteworthy
LinkedIn Top Companies 2025: LinkedIn has released its list of the top 50 large employers to work for. You can learn about each company on the list, review the most common job titles and top skills, access job openings, and see people you may know who work there.
The Toolbelt Generation: As the cost of a college education skyrockets, many Gen Z workers are considering skilled trade careers. Credit Karma reports that 23% of Americans who don’t currently do trade work say they plan to get into the industry, including 50% of Gen Z and 42% of millennials. Work-life balance, job security, and job availability are the top reasons for choosing a trade career.
Resources for Federal Workers: Our updated list of resources for federal workers includes information on applying for unemployment, tips for transitioning to the private sector, and resources that will help you find job listings, training programs, resume writing help, and career coaching assistance.
Our Favorite Tools & Tips
Careers in Care: Indeed’s Careers in Care coalition provides support and guidance for healthcare workers, including chats with healthcare professionals on Glassdoor, resume reviews, mock interviews, and job search advice and strategies.
Google Career Dreamer: Career Dreamer can help you connect your experiences, educational background, skills, and interests to explore new career possibilities. You can also create a career profile to add to your resume or LinkedIn.
How To Recover From a Layoff: Have you lost your job? CareerOneStop has a step-by-step guide to help you recover from a layoff and get your career back on track. Also, review advice on applying for unemployment benefits so you can be sure you're collecting all the benefits you're entitled to.
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