With hiring freezes, rising unemployment, and political uncertainty, ?
The answer depends on your skills and expertise, your career goals, and the urgency of your search. But whether you submit your resume next week or next year, there are things you can do right now to improve your chances of landing a job you’ll love.
Here are 7 job-hunt recommendations to fit this unique moment, including some ideas that are particularly important when applying for jobs in higher education:
1. Set a job search schedule. Looking for a job takes time — checking job postings, polishing a resume, tailoring a cover letter, and maybe even honing skills with classes or certifications. It helps to , making a to-do list and setting deadlines, just like you would for any project you manage.
2. Leverage your network. , including former bosses, volunteer contacts, fellow alumni, and HR professionals. Some may be able to offer advice, others a recommendation, and some may have a good lead on an opening that fits you.
3. Embrace technology. Use online groups, listservs, and social media sites to raise your profile and widen your net. For example, post your resume on ̽»¨Â¥ Jobs, try , Reddit’s jobs thread, or . Explore . For more ways to make apps work for you during your job hunt, .
4. Learn something. Seek out courses (free or for a fee) and certifications that .
5. Target your resume. Look at the job description and revise your resume to make it clear why you’re the perfect match for the .
6. Center higher education values. Know the values of the organization or institution to which you’re applying and reflect that in your application. And, of course, proofread. This is higher education, after all. Your application materials .
7. Explore ̽»¨Â¥ Jobs. Our launched in March, featuring employers seeking our members’ skillsets and offering a new platform for members to post resumes. Candidates can also utilize the new Job Alerts feature to receive a scheduled email containing any job openings that meet their selected set of criteria.
“To get the most out of ̽»¨Â¥ Jobs, include as much information as possible,” recommends Alex Lokjo, Associate Director of Membership at ̽»¨Â¥. “The new site has an improved search that can filter by location, keyword, category, or skills. Entering more information makes it easier to find the job that’s perfect for you.”