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How to find a job.
Updated
Don’t go from one dead-end to another. Here’s how to find a role that will help you build a real career, according to life coaches on Thumbtack.
Job search steps from career experts.
Step #1: Know what you want — and what you’re good at.
All good job searches start with an honest look at yourself — your interests, your skills and your ambitions. You have to be realistic about all three of these things or you could end up applying for the wrong job, failing to get an interview or maybe worse — getting a job that doesn’t lead to the role you want at the peak of your career.
Figure out where you want to be not just now, but in the role after that. Is there a clear path from one career step to the next? What skills are missing in your resume, and what kind of projects or teams do you need to find to build those skills?
>>Get help with your career. Here are the best life coaches near you.
Step #2: Research the industry and the company.
Before you can target the right roles, you need to understand the job market. If you’re looking in a specific city or metro area, research all of the major employers in that area that have roles that might match your specialty — even if some of them don’t have roles open right now.
In addition to job listings, sites like Glassdoor have reviews and salary information from real employees so you can get a sense of the work culture, compensation and priorities inside the company before you apply.
Step #3: Narrow down your search.
Job sites like Indeed and Glassdoor will show you open positions, save roles you’re interested in and send you email alerts for new job openings as they come up (so you can be one of the first to apply). Search by job title and keyword — not all titles are standardized from company to company, so you should cast a wide net to find companies that are doing work that fits your skills.
Use LinkedIn to see who you might be connected to at different companies. Some companies have internal referral systems. You’ll have a better chance of getting a hiring manager’s attention if you work through a connection.
Step #4: Write your resume and cover letter.
Your resume won’t change much from job to job, but you should make sure it’s effectively tailored to the role you want. Make sure it reflects keywords that map to the job description.
Use your cover letter to express your interest in the role, fill in more detail and elaborate on your skill set.
>>Need help with your resume? Contact the best resume services near you.
Step #5: Get career advice from someone who can help.
If you get stuck — no calls for interviews, job offers that aren’t a good fit — it might be time to contact a pro. A career coach can help you when the path to a new job just isn’t clear, like when you’re trying to pivot to a different kind of role or change careers entirely.
If you think you may need to get more education or training to get a role, a career coach can help you plot the right course.
Don’t make these common job search mistakes.
Mistake #1: Not telling your big picture story.
When you meet with potential employers, you’re not just telling them what you’ve done — you’re telling them why it mattered, what you learned and how you would apply it to help solve their business problems. Research common interview questions, and practice answering them (in detail!) ahead of time.
Mistake #2: Applying for the wrong role.
The perfect opportunity might not look like what you think. Even if you’re extremely interested in a specific company, don’t just apply to any role just because it’s open. Find something that’s a natural fit for what you’ve done in the past and that will give you specific career opportunities to level up in the future — or you could end up looking for a job all over again.
Mistake #3: Not networking.
Yep, networking is awkward. Nothing is less inspiring than meeting strangers and rattling off buzzwords that make you feel disconnected from your purpose in life.
But maybe you’re starting the wrong way. Ask yourself: What problem do I want to solve in the world using my skills and talents? Use that as a north star to guide who you reach out to — former colleagues, friends of friends, even strangers.
Instead of talking about yourself like a product on a shelf, frame conversations as brainstorming sessions. You’ll show up as a much more passionate, insightful version of yourself. And over time, you’ll naturally build a network of people who think of you as an expert (and will want to help you get a role you like).
How much does career coaching cost?
Career coaching can help anyone — entry-level workers, mid-career professionals, managers, executives, recent graduates and students looking for internships. Some career coaches help with generalized situations, like college graduates looking for an entry-level role. Others are more specialized by industry or work primarily with executive-level candidates.
How much you pay depends on the focus of the session, your location, your experience level and what services you want. You can find the right coach for you whether you’re looking for a new job or want to gain new skills to help in the job you already have.
For more on costs, see “How much does career coaching cost?”
Who to hire to help you find a job.
Understand your goals, learn how to tell your story and put together the materials you need for a successful job search. Here’s who can help:
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