A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding a New Job

Most candidates use an entirely ineffective strategy when finding a new job.  This is how you can set yourself apart from other job seekers.

Before using any of the techniques below, let your friends, family, and past managers know you are seeking a new position. Most people find jobs through their networks!

Update your resume!

Your resume is the first thing a new employer will view, so it must be written in a way that will represent you accurately.  As recruiters, we review hundreds of resumes monthly, and most are not done correctly.

  The most common mistake we see is not including tangible results documenting how you specifically have made or saved your company money.  (The better you document these two items, the more likely you will secure an interview.)  Instead, most people spend too much time describing their responsibilities.

We offer several resources to assist you with your resume. To access these resources, click on the below button.

How to Target Prefered Employers

Hiring managers hire candidates who know the industry they serve.  If you are a sales rep selling disposables to academic accounts, your chances of getting a job selling capital equipment to hospital laboratories are slim.  

Apply for positions where the prospective employer desires your experience. Some companies will take a chance on a candidate with an impressive track record and no relevant experience, but finding an open-minded hiring manager can be a nightmare.  In this scenario, you would have a better chance of getting a new position selling capital equipment to academic accounts since you have established relationships.

If you are finishing up college, use your academic background and internships to target the appropriate companies. For example, If you graduate with a degree in accounting and want to get into sales, then pursue companies that sell accounting products, such as ADP.

Gaining Access to Decision Makers

Applying online is futile!  This is the first thing most people do, which is the least effective way of finding a new job! It feels good because you are staying busy, but be careful with how much time you spend on this ineffective technique!

You can spend all day applying online, but your chances of getting a response are low since every job post receives 200-300 resumes.  Human Resources people typically only glance at your resume if they received it from a job post!  This doesn't mean that you should not apply online. It means that this by no means should be your only strategy!

You must reach out directly to the person that will be hiring.  That is what recruiters do; we find hiring managers and present viable candidates.  I would tell you how, but the process is too complicated to describe in this format, and I would probably want to hire you myself! 

First Interview

Now that you have an interview, how do you prepare? Most hiring managers want to talk to you on the phone as a first step.  If you live in the same area, try to meet in person. Your chances are much better with an in-person interview.

Our firm typically observes that if our candidate competes against another candidate not represented by a recruiter, then our candidate is better prepared for the interview and typically wins.

Interview preparation is the key to success. We all know the basics, like having a copy of your resume for everyone you meet, dressing conservatively, expressing interest in the position, etc. But there is much more to learn than the basics.

The Offer

Congratulations!  You have worked hard and now have an offer. How do you know if your offer is fair?  Your worst nightmare is to accept an offer and, on the first day of training, learn that you are the lowest-paid new employee. 

Most employers will offer a 10-15% increase over your current base salary, but many variables are involved so the percent increase may change depending on other factors.  When an employer asks you how much you make, tell them the truth since most companies will verify your income by requesting a W2.

 There are many ways to negotiate your compensation other than base salary—stock options, merit increases, bonuses, and vacation time, to name a few.

We hope this helps with your job seeking! Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions regarding your resume or the hiring process.