No one likes the process of finding a new job.
What if we told you there's an easier way? Follow our guide to kickstart your job search in under 48 hours. You'll be done in time for some well-deserved Sunday night television.
For starters, we’ve all been there. You can't get your resume started, have forgotten your LinkedIn password, and hate the thought of combing through online job boards. Deep down, you know it’s time to leave your job, but you’re showing up week after week because starting the search seems so incredibly daunting.
You might want to sit down for this:
Despite past evidence to the contrary, trying to find a new job doesn’t need to be painful or prolonged. You can even get started in a single weekend. Are you ready? Block out some time, and let’s rip the bandage off. Here are eight easy-to-follow hacks to get your job search off the ground.
Pro Tip: Before we get into the steps (and before you start applying to job listings), you'll want to make sure your social media presence is professional or private. While we agree that what you do on the weekends is no employer's business, most employers do conduct a social media or Google search to vet candidates. If you need help cleaning up or creating your personal brand, we have this free e-guide.
Table of Contents
- 8 Hacks to Find a New Job Quickly
- Book Coffee or Drinks with People Whose Advice You Trust
- Start Pitching Yourself
- Update Your Professional Resume in 5 Steps (Without Spending Hours and Hours)
- Know What You Want (and What You Don't Want) in Your Next Job
- Tap into Your Professional Network
- Implement Those Search Skills to Find a New Job
- Know the Best Days to Apply to Jobs
- Have an Exit Strategy in Place (If You're Currently Employed)
8 Hacks to Find a New Job Quickly
You might be reading this article because you've already been looking for a new job but haven't had much luck. The traditional way of searching for jobs always seemed very linear.
If you try A + B, it will equal C, which just happens to be your dream job, right?! Recruiters call this strategy "spray and pray" and it's when you spray your resume everywhere and pray someone will pick it up and hire you.
There's a reason why this less proactive approach isn't working that well. In order to gain a competitive edge over other job search applicants, you need a different strategy.
You need a strategy that goes above and beyond just sending your resume in via online job sites. You need one that helps you stand out at every opportunity. Even better if you can include ways to get your resume seen before the jobs get advertised to the public.
Here are eight job search hacks I know work from my experience as a recruiter.
1. Book Coffee or Drinks with People Whose Advice You Trust
Sometimes, the first step to finding a new job is just saying it out loud. It's basically an audible manifestation.
Make plans this weekend with a few people you trust who give great advice. Share with them that you’re thinking of moving on and vent any concerns you might have.
Ask them how they would describe you, and use their answers to help edit your resume and LinkedIn summary.
The other great thing about these “meetings” is that your close friends and confidants often see strengths and opportunities that you don’t. Get their perspective on what they think would be a strong move for you. Of course, your intuition and gut take precedence, so if you already have a clear idea of what you want, share your plans, and you’ll likely get a ton of support and validation.
Oh, and remember how you cleaned up your social media presence? If you're publicly looking for new job opportunities, blast out the good news. Blasting your news of a job search (because of being laid off, let go, etc.) isn't something to be embarrassed about. Lots of good examples prove this!
Post your quest for the new job on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You never know who your Aunt Barbara might know through her knitting circle. You know she's good for a solid recommendation, too.
2. Start Pitching Yourself
Most of us fall into a terrible habit when we don’t like our jobs. We go out with friends, and dinner quickly turns into a vent session. That is a huge missed opportunity when you're trying to find a new job.
This weekend, when people ask you, “How’s work going?” or “Are you still at Company X?” don't launch into 15 different complaints about your present job and bad boss—start looking to the future. Create a pitch that you’ll use every time someone asks you about work, like the one below:
“Yes, I’m still working as a [title] at [company]. It has been going well and I love working on X, Y, and Z, but I'm thinking I’m ready to make my next move. I’m looking to work at a [type of company] company in the [functional area] department.”
Now here’s the most important part:
“If you know anyone I should connect with, definitely let me know!”
You never know who people know, so resist the urge to complain about the past or current state and start looking toward the future. Another important step: If your friends mention some referrals you should connect with...follow up with them for the introduction!
3. Update Your Professional Resume in 5 Steps (Without Spending Hours and Hours)
Obviously, before starting any job search, you need to update your materials. For most people, this is the biggest barrier (and it can hold them up for months) because it seems so time-consuming. To avoid getting bogged down, consider doing a “speed session” with your resume.
Set a timer for one hour, and go through the following steps. Recruiters generally only screen resumes for about five seconds on the first pass—so all that time you’re spending stressing over the wording of your bullets? Not well spent.
Step 1:
Make a laundry list of every task you do in your current job. Don’t think too hard about the wording. Just get the actual work you do on paper. [10 minutes]
Step 2:
Out of all of the tasks you wrote down, put stars next to four to six that are resume-worthy.
The ones you select should combine your most impressive responsibilities or projects—and ones that are most relevant to the jobs you want to land. If you’re not sure, look up a few job postings that excite you and see what they’re looking for in the job description. Your resume should parallel those requirements and qualifications. [5 minutes]
Step 3:
Turn the tasks into resume bullets. This is probably what will take you the most time, but force yourself to work efficiently and don’t overthink it. Strong resume bullets clarify, include examples or metrics when possible, and answer the “so what?” by demonstrating how the task creates value. [30 minutes]
Step 4:
Proofread. Obviously, your resume must be error-free. Comb through each line and make adjustments for typos, wordiness, and grammar. You might want to try running documents through a tool like Grammarly as a backup. [10 minutes]
Step 5:
Format. The look and feel of your resume are both important.
Your resume font should be clear, and the document should be organized and easy to read. Make sure nothing looks sloppy, inconsistent, or misaligned, and then PDF it. A “designed” resume is not necessary, but a clean and easy-to-read one is. [5 minutes]
An hour down, and your resume is now up to date. Now, email it off to one of those trusted advisors from your morning coffee to get a second pair of eyes on it.
Once you’re happy with the final result, ensure your LinkedIn is up to date as well with short descriptions under each job you’ve held. You can copy these from the resume you just finished, and don't forget to write a LinkedIn summary.
Pro Tip: If you want more step-by-step help creating a resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile check out our online courses!
4. Know What You Want (and What You Don't Want) in Your Next Job
One of the most important parts of a successful job search is knowing what you want in your next job—and what you don't want. I recommend using a worksheet like this and reflecting on the most important things for you to have in your next role. Some things to consider:
- Do you need a job ASAP, or does your strategy allow for more time to find your next role?
- How long of a commute can you live with?
- Do you only want remote or hybrid jobs?
- Do you know the type of employment (full-time, part-time, side job) you need?
- Do you know what career growth or job training you want in your next job?
- Do you know your bottom line for salary?
- Do you know what skills you want to use in your next job?
- What tasks in your current job excite you? Do you have a passion for a specific skill or niche?
These are tough questions, but the more you engage in talking to friends and having informational interviews, you will get clarity on these things. Another way to help filter these tough questions about what career you want to pursue—and why—is thinking about what you don't want in your next job.
Consider your past jobs, and reflect on what you liked and disliked about them. This will help you apply to roles that are great fits for you—and you'll be a more successful applicant because you'll know how to communicate why you want the role in your interview.
5. Tap into Your Professional Network
Now that your resume is up to date, it’s time to write an “ask” email. You’ll use this template to write to people in your network who may be able to help you take your next step.
Your email should cover:
- What you’re currently up to (in case they don't know)
- What you’re looking to do next (give as much detail as you can)
- Your updated resume
- An ask at the end of the email to connect you with anyone they think might be helpful or relevant
I recommend sending personalized emails. You can copy and paste and then spend a minute adjusting some small details so it doesn’t seem like a mass email. If you’re asking someone for a favor, like helping you find a new job, they shouldn’t feel like you put zero thought into your note.
Pro Tip: you can download these free job search networking templates that include letting your networking know you're job searching.
6. Implement Those Search Skills to Find a New Job
The great thing about all of the technology available now is that you shouldn’t have to do as much manual work while searching for roles and applying. The job hunt should be easier once you've identified the search terms and keywords of skills you should be prioritizing. Here's a free worksheet to help you identify job keywords you should focus on.
Sign up for job board newsletters (here's ours!) and set up job alerts on other job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn ZipRecruiter, etc. so the job postings come to you.
When you see jobs that are truly a great fit, apply. You don’t have to apply to 20 jobs in one weekend (and probably shouldn’t), but set a weekly goal for yourself that you can realistically meet.
Since your materials are now ready and organized, you can easily apply as you see job postings that you’re excited about. Some may not require cover letters, while others even allow you to only apply with your LinkedIn profile.
7. Know the Best Days to Apply to Jobs
Is there really a best day to apply for jobs? Many people believe it's on Tuesday, thanks to a study that compared the timing and the success rates of job applications. It turns out that Tuesday is the most common day of the week when people choose to apply for new jobs.
However, it’s not the most successful day to apply. While 37 percent of job seekers apply for jobs on Tuesdays, this group only has a 20 percent success rate.
And the least successful day?
Saturday. Saturday is the worst day to apply for a job because only 14 percent of candidates saw success with their applications. The good news is that most people aren't spending their weekends applying for jobs. The study claimed only 5 percent of people apply for jobs on Saturdays.
So, what is the most successful day to apply for a job? Let's break it down.
Best Days of the Week to Apply
First, a "successful day" is defined as going from the application process to the interview process. And it turns out that the best day to apply for a job is on Monday.
Applying on Monday gives you a 10 percent higher chance of landing an interview, according to Bright.com. 30 percent of candidates who applied for jobs on a Monday made it through to the next round of the hiring process. Guess the early bird really does get the worm!
You might hate Mondays, but the beginning of the week is a productive time for hiring.
Recruiters and HR managers have fresh eyes (and motivation) to review resumes and start setting up interviews. As the days go on, other work tasks—like meeting with hiring managers and reviewing resumes—can pile up. That means your resume is more likely to get lost in the online database and never viewed by a real person.
The next time you're browsing for a new position on a Monday and see one that excites you, don't hesitate to apply! Keep your resume up to date so that you’re ready to apply that very day. You could have a 10 percent higher chance of landing an interview—and when you do land that interview, try to schedule it for a morning time slot.
According to a study by the Harvard School of Business, employees interviewing tend to rate the first people they interview with higher than the people they interview later in the day. This means if you can interview earlier in the day, you have a better chance of leaving your potential employer with a positive impression that gets you asked back for a second interview and pushed to the next stage.
Apply Within 24 Hours of the Initial Job Posting
The other way to gain a competitive advantage in the job search is to be one of the first to apply. When you set up job alerts, you can get notified right away of new job postings, and with your resume ready to go, you can take advantage and apply within 24 hours of the initial posting.
This is important because recruiters and HR managers are motivated to review resumes. They also want to fill this role quickly, so they're excited when a great fit applies right away. Applying within the first 24 hours usually translates to a quicker response rate! Additionally, your first-mover advantage shows your excitement and enthusiasm for the job.
According to research, the best times of the day to apply for a new job is either early morning or later evening. This is especially true when you're sending your resume directly to a recruiter to review. Based on what we've learned so far, the most optimal time to apply for a job would be 8:00 am on Monday—or after 5:00 pm on Monday. The recruiter and their inbox are less busy at those times compared to a mid-week afternoon.
Apply to Jobs Digests + Notifications
Since you can't predict a company's hiring season or when they set a new hiring budget to help you gauge your job search, your next best option to stay on top of new job postings is with notifications. Some companies launch an official job season at the beginning of the year, and that means you'll see lots of open roles in January.
Other companies post jobs year-round. Although, according to TopResume, December may also be a lucrative time for a job search. The bottom line is that you can either check job sites all the time—or let them do the work for you.
You can easily set up job notifications, and many online job sites will now prompt you to do this right when you join their platforms.
The goal of these hacks isn't necessarily focused on completing a full job search (not sure that’s even possible!), but more about setting yourself up for a stress-free and successful job search in the coming months. Ready to rip off that band-aid? Let’s do it.
8. Have an Exit Strategy in Place (If You're Currently Employed)
When you get serious about job searching, start interviewing, and even get close to the offer stage, it's a good idea to also start thinking about your exit strategy. Put another way: How will you quit your current job on good terms?
It's a good rule of thumb to give at least two weeks' notice, write a resignation letter, and make a plan for transitioning out of your current work. We would even recommend writing a goodbye email to your coworkers before you leave. These are all great ways to exit your current job without burning bridges, which is smart since you know never know who will help your career in the future.
Pro Tip: Pay attention to your gut feelings. Don't just take a job for extra cash or an easy fix. Job hopping should be for more than just a fancier job title. And make sure you're being honest about why you're looking for a new job so you don't just end up back in the same situation in a year or two. Lastly, look out for red flags in the interview process. If you ignore the signs of a toxic work environment, there's a very good chance you'll be job searching again sooner than you anticipated!
