4 Things you need to know while searching for jobs in Seattle

  1. Find someone to refer you. You are missing out on job opportunities by not identifying someone inside the company to refer you for a job. While job boards are the primary source of hiring, 71 percent of HR professionals surveyed rated employee referrals as the best source for finding candidates, yet only 7 percent of job seekers surveyed viewed referrals as their top source for finding a job.
  2. Invest in learning technical skills. Job seekers self-reported that their top weakness was technical, computer or specialized skills. If this is your weak spot too, do something about it, because a quarter of employers rank these as top skills they are looking for. Take an online course to develop the skills you lack or need. More than 40 percent of job seekers have never invested in online training, but it is one way to improve your confidence and candidacy.
  3. Expect to meet several people during your interviews. It is unlikely you’ll be hired based on one interview. Almost 60 percent of HR professionals said the interview process involves meeting two to three people, and some employers will have you meet with as many as five people during the interview process.
  4.  Highlight these top three skill sets. Communication, adaptability and results-driven are the top skills HR is looking for in candidates. Unfortunately, job seekers miss the mark. While job seekers did list communication skills as a top skill set, they missed the mark in the other top skills they reported, which were leadership and teamwork.

Don’t forget these things while looking for jobs

When you’re on the job hunt, attention to detail can make all the difference. Here are some often-overlooked tips to keep in mind to present yourself professionally and leave a strong impression on potential employers.

1. Double-Check Your Facebook Privacy Settings

Your social media activity is more visible than you might think. Simply hiding tagged photos or wall posts isn’t always enough—employers might still be able to see events you’ve attended or pages you’ve liked, which may not always make the best impression. To ensure your privacy, go to Facebook’s ‘Timeline and Tagging’ settings. In the ‘Review’ section, use the “Review what other people see on your timeline” option to see your profile from a public perspective. Adjust as necessary to keep any content private that might not align with your professional image.

2. Keep Personal Websites and Portfolios Updated

If your resume, LinkedIn profile, or cover letter links to a personal website, portfolio, or blog, make sure these sites are live, accessible, and up-to-date. Domain names or hosting services can sometimes expire without warning, leading to broken links that leave a poor impression on hiring managers. Ensure your online presence showcases your latest achievements and skills, reflecting the very best of your work.

3. Inform and Prepare Your References

When applying for jobs that require references, let your contacts know they might receive a call or email from a potential employer. Brief your references on the positions you’ve applied for by providing a link to the job listing, a quick summary of the company, and an outline of how you’ve presented your experience. This way, they’ll be prepared to reinforce your strengths if contacted. A quick follow-up with them after each interview is also a considerate touch to keep them in the loop.

4. Respond Quickly and Professionally

Being responsive can set you apart. From promptly replying to interview invitations to sending a thank-you note after an interview, responsiveness demonstrates enthusiasm and reliability. Avoid delays, especially for emails that require specific responses, like interview scheduling or submitting requested documents. A lag in communication can signal disinterest, leading employers to consider candidates who appear more proactive and engaged.

Bellevue Hiring Managers Wish You Knew these 4 Things

  1. Focus on What You Want, Not Just What You’ve Done“Spend some time considering what you really want out of your next job, your career, and your life. Be honest with yourself, and try to get clear and specific. Then rewrite those ‘goal’ and ‘objective’ sections (yes, they’re OK in some cases) with newfound clarity.”
  2. Don’t Include Everything“Focus on the person coming across in your resume. If you want to be ‘the social media guru,’ anything that doesn’t at least tangentially relate to social media should be de-prioritized. If you want to come across as ‘the academic research all-star,’ by all means put your educational experience on top, throw in your GPA, and get in-depth about your awards and publications. Feel free to leave off your real estate experience.”
  3. Use Numbers“You increased recruiting? Give us the percent increase. You raised money for charity? Tell us how much you raised! This can turn average-looking experiences into impressive head-turners and help distinguish you from other candidates.”
  4. Add Non-Work Work“Volunteer work, particularly if it’s long-term or if it gives you the chance to lead a project from beginning to end, can be a great substitute for full-time work. Some organizations give titles or recognition to regular volunteers, so find out if there are any formal credentials that you can use (if not, just use “Volunteer”). Just like you would for a paid job, list bullets that show your major accomplishments and what you learned during your involvement.”

Searching for a job while employed?

Discreet Job Search Tips for Employed Professionals

Searching for a new job while you’re currently employed requires a bit of extra caution. Here are some tips to help you keep your search under wraps and avoid raising any suspicions with your current employer.

1. Make Job Search-Related Phone Calls Away from the Office

It’s essential to make all job search calls away from your workplace. Even if you’re using your own cell phone and data plan, there’s still a chance someone could overhear your conversation. Avoid making calls in places like the break room, where coworkers might walk in unexpectedly. Instead, head to your car, or find a quiet spot at a nearby coffee shop not frequented by colleagues.

2. Use Former Employers as References

If a prospective employer asks for a job reference, avoid involving your current boss to keep your job search confidential. Most employers understand this situation and will be satisfied with a reference from a previous supervisor. Having a few past managers or colleagues prepared to vouch for you can be just as effective without jeopardizing your current position.

3. Dress Appropriately for Work

If you usually dress casually, showing up in formal interview attire might raise some eyebrows. To avoid this, plan a quick wardrobe change before your interview. A coffee shop restroom or similar location can serve as a discreet spot to switch from casual to professional attire. This way, you can attend an interview without raising suspicions at the office.

Following these steps can help you maintain your current job while exploring new opportunities, keeping your job search as private and professional as possible.

Advanced Tips for 2019 Job Search

Tip 1: Establish your career goals! Take this time to reflect on where you are now and where you want to go next. Having clear goals and objectives will get you there.

Tip 2: Update your resume! What have you accomplished in 2018? Review your year’s achievements and projects you’ve finished and include them in your resume.

Tip 3: Brush up on your interview skills! Whether you have an interview scheduled or not, you should always be able to answer The “Tell Me About Yourself” Interview Question. Review the most common interview questions so that you’ll always be ready whenever opportunities arise.

Tip 4: Polish up your social media profiles! Potential business partners or other key players in your industry may be searching for you right now. Social media can play a huge role in your reputation so keep it professional and build a strong online presence.

Tip 5: Activate your network! The people you meet can have a lasting effect on your career. Stay in touch with your previous colleagues and learn How to Network to create mutually beneficial relationships with new ones.

Remember these things when looking for a job

1. Invest in Learning Technical Skills

Technical and specialized skills are among the top attributes employers seek. According to surveys, job seekers commonly report that lacking technical skills is their biggest weakness. This is a critical area for improvement, as 25% of employers rank technical skills among the top skills they look for in candidates. (Atto Time, Erin)

Taking online courses to improve in areas like coding, data analysis, or software proficiency can boost your confidence and make you a stronger candidate. Despite the importance of these skills, over 40% of job seekers have never taken online training​. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning offer various affordable courses that can fill in these gaps.

Tip: Identify the specific technical skills in demand for your desired job role and invest time in upskilling.

2. Highlight Internships, Not GPA

For recent graduates, many believe that their academic performance is the key to landing a job. However, employers often prioritize experience over grades. Internships offer practical, real-world experiences that give hiring managers a clearer picture of your ability to apply knowledge. Even if your GPA is impressive, showcasing hands-on projects and tasks from internships will carry more weight in an interview​. (Erin)

Tip: On your résumé, focus more on the skills and responsibilities from internships, particularly those relevant to the job you’re applying for.

3. Prepare for a Job-Related Test

It’s common for employers to use practical assessments as part of the hiring process. In fact, 57% of employers administer tests or exercises to evaluate job candidates​. (Enterprise Apps Today) These tests might be related to the job’s technical requirements or assess problem-solving abilities. Knowing this in advance allows you to prepare and practice relevant skills, which can help reduce anxiety and improve performance.

Tip: Be sure to ask beforehand if there will be any assessments and what they will involve, so you can tailor your preparation accordingly.

By investing in technical skills, emphasizing practical experience through internships, and preparing for potential tests, you’ll be better equipped to meet the expectations of today’s job market.

Network your way to success in Seattle

Learn How to Effectively Network

Networking is a critical skill in today’s job market, where job opportunities are increasingly scarce and competition is higher than ever. To succeed in your job search, relying solely on sending out resumes or browsing job boards may not be enough. Networking can help you tap into the “hidden job market”—positions that are never publicly advertised but are filled through personal connections and referrals.

1. Expand Your Network

Engage with people in various industries, even those outside your field. Job seeker support groups, continuing education courses, or unemployment seminars provide excellent opportunities to meet others in a similar situation. Building relationships with people from diverse professional backgrounds increases your chances of hearing about job openings or meeting someone who can refer you to a position.

Tip: Don’t underestimate the value of connections outside your field. Even if someone isn’t directly involved in your industry, they may have contacts or information that can lead you to new opportunities.

2. Maintain and Nurture Relationships

Networking is a two-way street. Once you’ve established a connection, stay in touch with the people you’ve met. If you land a job, continue to offer assistance to others in your network, as this strengthens your professional relationships and builds goodwill for the future. A solid network can provide support throughout your career, not just during your job search.

3. Tap Into the Hidden Job Market

Research shows that up to 70-80% of jobs are part of the hidden job market, filled through referrals and personal connections rather than public postings. Effective networking increases your access to these opportunities, helping you bypass the competition in public job searches. Attending networking events, leveraging LinkedIn connections, or joining industry-specific groups can significantly increase your chances of finding these hidden roles.

Tip: Regularly attend industry meetups, virtual networking events, or professional association meetings to keep your network strong and stay updated on unadvertised job openings.

Mastering the art of networking can help you access more job opportunities, increase your professional visibility, and build lasting relationships that support your career development over time.

Job Search Strategies for Bellevue

Be Patient and Strategic, Not Impulsive and Desperate

Heading into your job search without clear intentions is like going grocery shopping parched and famished – and, as we all know, nothing good ever comes from shopping on an empty stomach. (If you don’t know, now you know.) Instead, first construct a plan that incorporates your skills, your expectations, and your short- and long-term career goals.

Be sure to take a day or two mapping out a career plan that reflects what you’re good at and where you want to be. This is the time to be realistic about your qualifications, experience, and future. By doing so, you are less likely to make the all-too-common mistake of being a desperate, needy candidate who will take any old job that’s thrown his way. Instead, focus on finding a career that aligns with your wants and needs, both professionally and personally, and head into your job hunt with the mentality that you’re searching for a dream career, not a paycheck.

Focus on Quality Over Quantity

Feeding off of the whole “don’t be desperate and impulsive” thing, it’s crucial to value quality over quantity when it comes to finding a lasting and fulfilling career. Far too many candidates make the mistake of assuming that casting a wide net when applying for any and all available jobs is the way to go; however, this mentality couldn’t be more incorrect. Applying to tons of jobs blindly because you figure you’re bound to land one is reckless and a great way to wind up back in the job-hunting world before you know it. It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting an employer – any employer, really – to call you back for a job interview because any job is better than no job, right? Well, not really.

Sometimes in life, beggars can’t be choosers. Of course, if you’re in a situation where you need to earn a paycheck to keep a roof over your family’s head and food in their bellies, then, by all means, go out and earn a living – there’s no shame in that whatsoever. But focus your long-term plans on building the career you want, and targeting opportunities appropriately.

 

3 ways to land your new job in Lynnwood

1.       Be honest about your current situation. If you have no degree or certifications, just understand you may have a tough time with your job search. Understand your weaknesses and strengths and really think about what you want to do.

2.       Check your network. Somehow we believe that if we have hundreds, maybe thousands, of followers and friends, that we have a valuable network, but that’s not true. Check your network, maybe some of them have retired, gotten laid off, decided to launch their own business, fallen ill, or having a tough time themselves. If that is the case, then they won’t be able to help you find a job and the number 1 way to get a job is through a referral! Check your network.

3.       Update your credentials. Yes, as a resume writer of course I am going to suggest that you update your resume credentials but it not only because it’s my business, it’s because it is very important, just ask any recruiter. They are looking at everything now – your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile and social media. Get yourself updated.

Looking for a new job

1. Do Your Homework

When searching for a job, you should treat the process similarly to how sales professionals approach their work. Success in sales relies on three key activities: prospecting, presenting, and following up. The same principles apply to job hunting.

  • Prospect: Develop as many job leads as possible. This will increase your chances of finding the right opportunity.
  • Research: Before reaching out to anyone, thoroughly research the company, the hiring manager, and the industry. This homework will help you tailor your outreach and show you’re serious about the role.

Tip: Use LinkedIn and company websites to learn about decision-makers and company values. Tailored outreach can set you apart from other candidates.

2. Conduct an Internet Job Search

The internet has become a critical tool for job hunting, and using it effectively is a skill developed over time. Start by visiting popular job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. Use variations of job titles to search widely, as different companies may use different terms for similar positions.

Pro Tip: Be creative with your search terms. A marketing manager at one company could be a digital marketing coordinator at another. Adjust your keywords to capture all relevant listings.

3. Gather Information from Multiple Job Sites

Different job boards cater to different industries and positions. Some may specialize in tech jobs, while others focus on local markets or specific roles like management or sales.

  • Strategy: Just like you wouldn’t buy the first house you see, don’t settle for the first job posting you come across. Research average salaries, company culture, and the specific duties of similar positions at different companies. This ensures you make an informed decision.

Key Insight: Keep in mind that the same job title can have vastly different responsibilities depending on the company, so gathering data from multiple sources will help you better evaluate potential opportunities.

By taking the time to research and prospect thoroughly, you’ll be better equipped to find a job that not only aligns with your skills but also offers the growth and culture you’re looking for.