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: 93% of Americans are looking for or plan to look for a new job this year.

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

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 1 billion members and more than 69 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

You should try 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 you have listed to make sure they’re still willing to vouch for you.

Most companies still use an applicant tracking system (ATS), but today’s job market demands more than simply adding the appropriate keywords to your resume. AI is now the first gatekeeper in hiring. Nearly half (48%) of hiring managers use AI to screen resumes before a human ever sees them. Unlike a traditional ATS, AI analyzes resumes more holistically by evaluating relevant skills and context, not just keywords.

Experts offer these tips:

• Tailor your resume to match the skills and keywords in the job description
• Use clear and simple formatting
• Focus on demonstrating relevant experience and results
• Use simple layouts and graphics, as being overly complex can confuse automated systems and reduce your chances of being selected for review

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. Show interest by addressing the hiring manager by name whenever possible and state why you’re suitable for the specific role. End your cover letter with a polite and open-ended call to action and offer to share more information if required.

You can get a head start by using AI to draft your cover letter, but be sure to customize and edit it to sound authentic and demonstrate genuine effort. Recruiters are cautious about AI-generated cover letters and may reject those that seem entirely AI-written.

Tip: Freelancer Plus members have full use of Uma, Upwork’s Mindful AI, to help draft a proposal in seconds. 

See tips for crafting a cover letter in this video.

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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.

Tip: Stay ahead of what businesses are looking for by regularly visiting the Upwork Resource Center. You'll find proven strategies from top freelancers, insights into how AI is reshaping hiring, must-have skills to stay competitive, and more.

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.

Tip: Freelancer Plus members receive instant job alerts when a job matches similar skills or jobs you’ve previously applied to, so you can be one of the first to apply.

If you’re a freelancer, you may grow your income faster by focusing on a niche. This video shows how.

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3. Reach out to your network

Networking—whether online or in person—is important when seeking a job because it’s estimated that 70% of jobs aren’t posted publicly. Instead, they’re filled through referrals, networking, internal promotions, or direct outreach. This means jobs are usually filled by someone who already 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.

Tip: Get more work opportunities by joining Upwork (it’s free). You'll instantly tap into a global marketplace with over 812,000 active clients—plus, 28% of the Fortune 500 hired on Upwork last year.

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

We’ve updated our list to spotlight the most in-demand skills for 2025. Whether you're planning a career pivot or looking to sharpen your existing strengths, this list can help you spot where the opportunity is, and what skills you’ll need to succeed.

It’s no surprise that many of the top skills are tied to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). But opportunities are still strong in other areas like consulting, accounting, design, and marketing. That said, learning how AI tools apply to your industry can unlock even more job options. Even if your clients aren’t asking for AI yet, you can use it to offer smarter solutions and work more efficiently.

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. For example, freelancers on Upwork control their career trajectory and earnings by choosing when they work, who they work with, and the projects they work on.

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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 land a job you really like.

Research your ideal job’s in-demand skills

Companies are evolving rapidly in today’s digital age; you need to keep up with changing job requirements by regularly upskilling yourself.

Upwork’s annual list of the most in-demand skills can help you identify your career field’s requirements and highlight the skills required to stay competitive.

You can also 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.

And yes, AI is showing up in both technical and non-technical jobs—but that doesn’t mean it’s taking yours. Even as interest in AI grows, people are still a key part of getting great work done. Upwork research shows that businesses place more than twice as much trust in human-AI collaboration compared to AI-only output (66% vs. 26%). That means even in non-tech roles, showing you can use AI to boost your productivity and quality may increase your chances of getting hired.

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 you’ll want 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.

Tip: Freelance Plus members get proposal insights with real-time data on bids, freelancer stats, and client activity. Insights that can help you fine-tune strategies and win more jobs.

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.

One way to gain experience—and get paid for it—is by freelancing on Upwork. With over 10,000 skills represented on the platform, from jewelry designer to neural network developer, there’s room for just about everyone. Whatever your skills and passions, Upwork gives you the tools, support, and AI-powered features to help you land more projects and do your best work. Join Upwork today.

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If you are 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 here, and see more details on sharing information on Upwork here.

Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.