Take the stress out of your job search with our expert tips

January is a month of renewal and rejuvenation for many professionals. Whether you have been laid off from a job you loved or are considering switching career paths, this is the ideal time for you to get the start for a job search.

There are many companies hiring during the first few months of every year, so your chances of getting noticed are really good right now. No matter which time of the year it is, a job search can be quite the stressful task. So, how exactly can you take the stress out of your job search?

Expert Tips to Reduce Stress During a Job Search

Get active on LinkedIn

Gone are the days of applying for jobs on job boards with just a resume. Today, employers are more interested in your online presence than what is listed on your resume. This is a good thing too. Although there’s limited space on your resume, social media like LinkedIn allow you to share a plethora of information about your career. So, updating your LinkedIn profile is a smart investment for your job search.

Start by creating a master resume

Tired of writing seven different versions of your resume every week? Make it easier for you to apply for new jobs by creating a master resume. A master resume is a longer version of your regular resume that contains all the details of your career. When you want to tailor your resume for a particular employer, all you must do is delete the unnecessary information from your master resume.

Get organized

Do you get confused every time an employer calls you back after a job application? Then, your job search needs to sit through a few episodes of Hot Mess House. Maintain a job search organizer chart where you list down details of each job you apply for. Your chart can have fields for important information about each job application such as the job title, employer, applied date, contact person, and a link to the job description. You should also save the job description for each job you apply for, alongside the versions of resume and cover letter you used so that you have reference material for an interview.

Have a few versions of your resume ready

Targeting a broad range? Then, having a few versions of your resume can really help you with job applications. If you have plans to apply for different roles, you can create a few tailored versions of your resume to suit each kind of job. This is ideal for job seekers who are targeting multiple job titles in different industries. When it is time to submit those job applications, all you must do is tweak the right resume a little.

Get your communication templates right

Have you been reaching out to employers on LinkedIn without hearing back a word from them? Then, there is definitely an issue with the messages you are sending. Make your job search more efficient by creating a set of communication templates. These should include a cold-emailing message for recruiters, thank you email for interviewers, follow up email for employers, and a cold-messaging template for LinkedIn connections. Try to be authentic when creating your message instead of repeating clichéd phrases you see everywhere.

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