The job market is becoming increasingly ruthless. The competition for jobs is high, so it not enough to only prepare the best job application, you must apply to the roles faster than other candidates.

Whether in between roles or looking to switch careers, designing a job search strategy will save time, increase your chances of success, and help you meet your career goals quickly.

In this article, we’ll go through 10 efficient tips to help make your job search process easier and faster.

How long does it take to find a new job?

The job hunt time varies depending on the industry, market conditions, skills, qualifications, work experiences, and other factors. According to Flexjobs, it takes 3-6 months for most people to get a new job from start to finish.

This is a long time, especially for someone with no job or secondary sources of income. It is, therefore, important to know how to collapse this time to ensure that you’re not out of a job for an extended period.

 Tips To Make Your Job Search Faster

There are many ways to make your job search more efficient. By creating a solid plan that considers various essential factors, you’ll be sure to land a great job faster than you can imagine. 

Have A Solid Plan

Your job search should always begin with a plan outlining what kind of job you’re looking for, what type of employer you want to work for, the time frame you’ll be searching for, and most importantly, the strategies you’ll be employing for the search. 

Going into the job market without a proper plan will most likely cause delays in your process. It may also lead to you getting just any job instead of the job that best fits your skill set and experience. 

Use LightAutoApply to apply to multiple roles: 

You’ve probably heard that job hunting can be a numbers game. Sometimes, the assertion holds true. So, to win, you need to apply to as many roles as possible. 

Tools like LightAuto-Apply, which scans numerous job boards and corporate websites to find roles that align with your career interests, skills, and experience and automatically apply for multiple jobs on your behalf.

With it, you can reach more companies, save time, and increase your chances of landing a role. 

How Can LighAuto-apply Make Your Job Application Process faster?

The reward for manually applying to numerous jobs is tiredness and burnout. Lightforth’s Auto-Apply feature tackles this issue head-on with an AI companion that sends out tailored applications to job roles that are best-suited for you.

Lightforth Auto-Apply isn’t just about blasting your resume to every job posting. It scans numerous job boards and corporate websites to find roles that align with your career interests, skills, and experience.

From entry-level job seekers to mid and senior level professionals, this tool is helpful for those with tight schedules who still want to participate actively in the job market. 

Build Your Personal Brand

The concept of personal branding isn’t for experts alone. Anyone can and should build a personal brand. According to WiserNotify, 70% of employers say that a personal brand is more important than a resume.  A personal brand involves using storytelling as a tool to create an identity that reflects your values, aspirations, and offerings.

Whether you're an expert or just learning the ropes, you should build a personal brand. Have you learned a new skill? Share. Made a discovery about your field? Share. 

A personal brand will help you connect with more like-minded people, thus increasing your chances of landing a job fast. When well-established, it also creates opportunities to secure deals, speaking engagements, partnerships, collaborations, and sponsorships.

Apply Even If You’re Not A Perfect Fit:

 A common mistake people make when applying for jobs is applying only when they are confident they meet all the job requirements. This shouldn’t be so. If you meet at least 60% of the requirements, you should still apply.

Many companies will typically train new hires to understand their tools and work culture. This will also be your chance to challenge yourself, learn on the job, and become a better-equipped professional.

Network

Networking is the fastest way to grow your social capital. The best part about networking is that it doesn’t only provide short-term benefits; it yields long-term results as long as you do it correctly.  

The best networking tips for job seekers

  • Send Out Cold emails or LinkedIn messages: Send messages to people whose work you admire and whose progress you’ve followed. Show your sincerity by highlighting subjects they are interested in or even personal experiences they have shared in the past.
  • Attend Networking Events: Attend events that cater to industry professionals. This is the best way to connect with people who work in similar roles or have the same career aspirations as you.
  • Stay in touch: After making a connection, don’t ghost. Send them an instant message on social media, preferably on LinkedIn, and make sure to keep in touch. 

Ask For Referrals:

According to a survey by Jobvite, employee referrals are the most effective way to fill job openings, with referred candidates hired at a rate of about 30%.

This means you have a higher chance of getting hired through a referral rather than a regular application. Speak to family members, friends, and professional connections like past managers and tell them to keep an eye out or recommend you where necessary.

Many positions typically get filled up before they have the opportunity to be posted online. Ensure you do not wait around for the job opening; instead, look for it. 

Optimize Your Resume

A resume is one of the most important tools in your job search. It is what creates the first impression hiring managers have about you, and thus, should show your skills, experience, and qualifications in a concise and convincing way.

Craft a standout, ATS-Friendly resume—The internet is filled with many tips to help you build the perfect resume.

In addition, you can use tools like LightResume to create and optimize resumes that catch the attention of recruiters, making it easier to land interviews.

Upskill and Reskill: 

Upskilling involves learning new skills to advance current skills, while reskilling means acquiring a new set of skills, majorly to transition to a new job role or pivot to a different role entirely. 

This training and development process is a profound investment that will elevate you to the next level of your career, so you must be serious about putting in the mental and physical efforts required. 

Stay Up To Date with Industry News: 

Keeping up with industry news is essential for staying competitive in today’s job market. You can stay abreast with industry updates by following social media developments, subscribing to relevant newsletters, and following key players in your field. 

Many hiring managers expect candidates to show awareness of industry challenges and innovations, and staying updated demonstrates that you are proactive and engaged.

Prepare For Success 

Preparing for interviews isn’t just about memorizing answers. It’s a process that begins first with carrying out proper research on the company and hiring team; this provides you with background information on the company’s values and expectations.

After this, list out mock questions and prepare thoughtful, well-researched answers. The final part of this is to rehearse your answers well. This makes you feel confident enough to ace the interview.

Remember that you do not need to have secured an interview before preparation begins.

 

Looking for Assistance on How to Get a New Job?

Don’t let jobs pass you by simply because you’re too occupied to apply. Job search is evolving, and so should you. 

With tools like LightAutoApply, you’re able to apply to thousands of jobs while you sort out other things. Visit Lightforth now to learn more about how you can send out multiple applications instantly.