There are many obstacles to overcome when looking for a new job. Stressful interviews, rejection, and ghosting are just a few things you may encounter. With more than 15 + years of recruitment experience, I have provided countless job seekers with helpful tips, advice, and guidance. I am confident that the following six tips will help prepare you for your next job search. 

Networking 

Build relationships with people who work in your field and find ways to connect with them whenever possible. For example, you may attend conferences, speaking events, or join social platforms such as LinkedIn. You can also ask friends and/or family for referrals. The power of networking is unquantifiable. In some cases, it is not what you know but whom you know. 

Understand what you are looking for

Many job seekers apply to several online job openings. Your job search should be targeted and strategic. You will be more successful if you apply to roles that closely match your qualifications. Also, apply to organizations that are in line with your core values. 

Your Resume

Is your resume free of grammatical errors? Do the dates of the employment line up? If not, a hiring manager may quickly discount your candidacy due to a minor error. Always proofread your resume before submitting it to a hiring manager. 

Do not be too hard on yourself 

Not being offered the job you desire often leads to disappointment. Especially when you were confident you were going to get it. Take the experience as a learning opportunity. Rejection means redirection. There is always another opportunity waiting for you. A positive attitude goes a very long way and will help set you apart from the other applicants. If you were not chosen for the job, try to get feedback from the hiring manager as to why you were not selected. 

Timing

Timing is everything. The perfect job opportunity presents itself, but you suddenly have a change of heart and decide that it is not the right time to start a new job. This is not uncommon. I have seen many job seekers walk away from a new job opportunity because they did not feel it was the right time to do so for various reasons. Make sure you are 100 percent ready to take on a new role or a career change before you start your job search. 

Keep it simple

When interviewing, responses should be direct and on point. Listen carefully to the questions being asked. Nerves can sometimes get the best of us, and as a result, job seekers will try to oversell their accomplishments rather than answering the questions. During an interview, I always advise job seekers to be humble with their responses and remember to KISS (keep it simple silly). To help alleviate some of your nerves, try to learn as much as you can about the organization and the role that you applied for.