How to take your job search to the next level

When it comes time to find a new job, figuring out where to start can be pretty difficult.

Sure, there are the basics of writing your resume, scouring job boards, and attending networking events, but how do you actually do all of that effectively and know that you are on the right track?

Plus, all of the conflicting advice tends to be overall more confusing than helpful.

Add being technical-minded on top of that and you are in for one hell of a ride.

So… what can you do to make sure you get the attention you deserve in your job search?

1. Rework your resume. This step is pretty obvious on the surface level, but more IT professionals struggle with this over anything else. Fact is, most recruiters don't understand what you do (who are we kidding, most people in general don't understand what you do)! Trying to convince a non-technical recruiter that you are the best candidate while feeding them information about Oracle, Visio, JIRA, etc. is not going to go very well. The trick is to take your experience and translate it into something that everyone can understand without compromising the extent of what you have accomplished. If you can, try to keep your technical skills out of the job descriptions and create a list instead – that way you still check off all of the requirements but leave readers with the least amount of confusion possible.
    
2. Follow up with recruiters, hiring managers, and interviewers. It may seem trivial, but a quick follow up email or phone call can go a long way in your job search. Chances are, most of your competition will forego this step, meaning that you have already showed more character and interest in the position than they have. Make sure you always check in a few days after submitting your application to ensure the recruiter has received everything they need from you. Then, once you have gone in for an interview, follow up with a thank you letter to extend your appreciation for the time they took to speak with you and consider you for the position.
    
3. Network. If you live in or near a big city, there is no shortage of both general and industry-specific networking events open to the public – plus, you have an awesome tool (LinkedIn) right in your hand to network on the go. The beauty about networking is that it is just as beneficial when you are happily employed as when you are in the hunt for a new position. It is no secret that it is easier to find success when you know people on "the inside" – and the same goes for success in your job search. Forming real relationships with industry leaders, whether online, over the phone, or in person, will seriously boost your credibility when it comes time to prove it.

Sometimes, the simple steps just need a bit of tweaking to become major game-changers.