How to Find a Job: Where to Look and How to Search

Job hunting can be intimidating, whether you’re a new college graduate looking for your first job or a workforce veteran. If you’re already part of the workforce but considering a change, you’re not alone: 39% of those already employed stated they’re likely to seek a new job in 2023.

Finding a suitable job can be a complex and time-consuming exercise regardless of your work experience. This article will guide you through the job-hunting process and help you on the path to landing your dream job.

• How to start the job-hunting process
• How to find a job
• How to be a strong job candidate

How to start the job-hunting process

Now that you’ve decided to embark on the job-hunting journey, you might wonder what your first step should be. Before filling out applications and reaching out to recruiters, spend some time updating and preparing several profiles and documents to increase your chances of getting your next job.

Update your LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network, with over 830 million members and more than 58 million companies listed. Since its founding in 2002, the network has become an essential social media platform and personal branding resource for professionals. This large community also translates into results, with 95 job applications submitted each second and six people hired each minute on the platform.

Your LinkedIn profile is your personal brand; optimize it to get the best results. Your profile should include your work experience and educational background and list relevant skills. Your headline should be brief and descriptive, while summarizing your areas of expertise. Using a high-resolution and professional image as your profile picture is highly advised, as it makes you appear more approachable to recruiters.

LinkedIn allows and encourages you to engage with others as part of its community. Consider making your presence more impactful by publishing articles on your profile, engaging with other users who post relevant content, and joining groups that align with your professional interests.

Update your resume

It’s a good idea to update your resume regularly. Information should be listed clearly and concisely and be free of typos and grammatical errors. Accurately state your prior work experience with job roles, dates, and responsibilities and delete any irrelevant content.

Before applying for a job, reconnect with references whom you have listed to make sure they’re still willing to vouch for you.

Appropriately adding resume keywords can also help you get an interview. In fact, 75% of hiring managers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) that analyzes and shortlists resumes. The more ATS-friendly your resume is, the higher the chance a recruiter will look at it. You can identify resume keywords by studying the job posting or searching for relevant industry keywords.

Get a cover letter template ready

A well-written cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants and establish yourself as a well-rounded individual. Your cover letter is meant to complement your resume—it shouldn’t simply restate the information you have provided on your CV.

Instead, a good cover letter will provide context to your achievements and explain how your skills, experience, and professional goals align with the company and the specific job needs. End your cover letter with a polite and open-ended call to action and offer to share more information if required.

Having a cover letter template in place can help you manage your job search process more efficiently, but remember to modify it to be relevant for each job application. Address the hiring manager by name whenever possible and state why you’re suitable for the specific role. This extra effort shows genuine interest on your part and increases your chance of securing a job interview.

How to find a job

Once equipped with an updated resume and cover letter, you’re ready to start actually applying for jobs. This section discusses how to find suitable job openings based on your skill set and explains the importance of networking and using job marketplaces.

1. Be mindful of your skills

The best way to shortlist jobs is by identifying your skills and areas of expertise and looking for target companies that match them. Having this match increases your chances of proceeding to the next stage of the selection process and saves you from spending time on applications that aren’t suitable for you.

Job-related skills are critical, of course. Be sure to consider soft skills as well, such as communication, teamwork, personal productivity, willingness to learn, problem-solving, decision-making, and resilience.

Self-reflection is important. While you may be a conscientious worker with many skills, if your skills aren’t the specific ones a company needs, they have no reason to hire you or even consider your resume. Being aware of your capabilities and being open to improving and upskilling yourself are valuable tools in the job search process.

2. Plan your search

Creating a strategic plan can help you stay organized during the job hunt. Determine your career goals and strengths as you try to identify your ideal companies.

Next, build a to-do list for the search. Include tasks like gathering references or reading through job titles and job descriptions and setting deadlines for each item. Think about developing a system for evaluating your assessment of each job and noting feedback that you’re receiving from hiring managers. Use this information to filter your job opportunities to find the best fit. Consider using a spreadsheet to organize your applications and keep track of the next steps.

You may want to become more receptive to jobs beyond your current situation and community. Today’s hyper-connected world allows you to expand your job search beyond your physical location, as you can seek remote work opportunities worldwide.

3. Reach out to your network

Networking—whether online or in person—is important when seeking a job because 70% of jobs are never officially advertised and are taken by candidates who had a connection at the company. Letting your network know when you’re looking for a new position just might lead to a positive result.

People in your professional network can also provide you with valuable career advice or a crucial referral that could get you an ideal job offer.

As you focus in this area, you can find many ways to expand your professional network. Consider attending industry networking events that recruiters or experts attend, joining a club that aligns with your professional interests, or connecting with alumni from your school. Social media platforms like LinkedIn also allow you to broaden your network and find professionals in your field.

4. Find the best job fields through Upwork’s list of the most popular jobs and BLS

We’ve put together a list of the 30 most popular and high-paying jobs between 2019 and 2022. This list can help you identify the best jobs and also read about the skill set needed to secure a job in that field.

Some of the most in-demand jobs and skills for 2023 include:

• Machine learning
• Automation
• Data analysis
• Mobile application
• Virtual reality
• Video production
• Search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Product management

If you’re considering how education impacts the jobs secured and the median annual wage, it’s clear that people with a doctoral or professional degree earn the most, with a median annual average of $103,820.

5. Follow up on your job application

Proactively following up on your job application can give you an edge over other applicants. Sending a brief follow-up email a few days after submitting your application is a good idea to ensure that the business received it. You can also use this opportunity to reinforce your interest in the position.

If you don’t hear back, plan to send a second email two weeks after the initial application. In this second email, ask whether you can provide any further information to help the company make a decision on your application.

If the company hasn’t provided contact information, locate the details of the hiring manager or recruiter on the company’s website or LinkedIn. Remember to be respectful, concise, and polite in all communication.

If you don’t hear back from the business, it might be a good idea to start considering alternatives. You can sign up as a freelancer on Upwork and start providing your services to clients worldwide.

How to be a strong job candidate

With some research, effort, and the right attitude, you can set yourself apart from the other applicants and make your dream job a reality. Follow these tips to try to land  a job you really like.

Research your ideal job’s in-demand skills

Companies are evolving rapidly in today’s digital age; it’s essential to keep up with changing job requirements by constantly upskilling yourself. Here are a few ways for you to find the most in-demand skills:

• Upwork’s list of the most popular jobs of 2022 and their required skills is a valuable resource. It can help you identify your career field’s requirements and highlight where you may be either lacking or excelling.
• The Balance Careers has put together a list of the most common jobs under each industry. Once you identify the roles most relevant to you, you can click on the job to identify the skill set you need to succeed in that particular role.
• You can use LinkedIn to see the qualifications and certifications that people who hold your desired roles have and acquire these skills if you don’t possess them already.

Showcase training and certifications

Online certifications add credibility and legitimacy to your profile and help you advance in your career. These certificates show potential employers that you’re competent in your field and have cleared an assessment that tested your skills. You can complete some of these online certifications on websites like Coursera and edX.

Additional credentials and training are especially useful in highly specialized industries, such as accounting and information technology (IT). Not all certifications are equal, and it’s important to select a trustworthy body to provide your certification.

Demonstrate self-motivation by learning new skills

Companies appreciate individuals who are willing to continuously improve themselves and keep up with the changing demands of the job market. You can demonstrate self-motivation by staying updated on industry trends and equipping yourself with relevant new skills.

There are many free massive open online course (MOOC) platforms, such as DataCamp and Khan Academy. These websites include many free courses taught by some of the world’s leading professors, including Andrew Ng, former Stanford professor.

Research and understand the job market

The job market is dynamic. Understanding the supply and demand of talent can help you determine the right time to change your job and know your negotiating power.

Websites like Glassdoor allow you to check the average salary for a specific position, see employee reviews, and learn about a company’s work culture.

While historically many positions have been the typical 9-to-5 office jobs, today’s job market has many other models. It may be helpful to understand the differences between seasonal roles, part-time versus full-time roles, and freelance positions to identify which is right for you.

Show enthusiasm for the job

Companies want to hire individuals who are passionate about their job and the organization and its values. Your cover letter and interview offer great opportunities to highlight how your professional goals align with those of the company and to demonstrate your genuine interest in working with them.

Reaching out to recruiters through professional networking platforms and following up after an interview also show your enthusiasm for a position.

Search and find a suitable job through the Upwork platform

Looking for a job can be both daunting and exciting. While many applicants want to start their new roles as soon as possible, being patient during this journey often leads to finding a better position. Taking the time to do adequate research, strengthen your profile, and identify the right companies can help increase your chances of ending up with your dream job.

If you need help finding the best-fit freelance jobs for your skills and interests, investigate the Upwork platform. We are the world’s work marketplace, making it easy to search for work that matters to you and allows you to hit your financial goals. No matter your industry or expertise, explore the work that’s waiting for you.

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If you’re communicating with a hiring manager for a job through the Upwork platform, please note that sharing your personal contact information, such as email address, phone number, or LinkedIn profile, is not permitted in cover letters or at any time prior to the start of a contract. Additionally, all communication should take place through the Upwork Messages feature. Learn more about using Upwork Messages and sharing information on Upwork.