Top 5 Things to Know When Beginning Your Career or Job Search

Beginning your career search can be both exciting and intimidating. Whether you’re a fresh graduate stepping into the professional world or seeking a career change, navigating the job market requires strategy and preparation. Here are the top five things you need to know to set yourself up for success.

1. Self-Assessment: Our Two-Part Process
Know Your Personal Core Values

The first step to a successful process in any area of your life is identifying your personal core values.

  • What is the most important thing in your life?
  • What drives you?
  • What are you passionate about?

Making a list of your most important values will guide all of your decisions. This includes your job and career decisions.

If your job or career doesn’t align with your personal values you won’t feel fulfilled. You won’t enjoy the life you are living. Taking time to define and document your personal values will save a lot of stress, confusion, time and money.

This is where we start with all of our coaching clients. Once we’ve laid this foundation together, decisions become easier and more obvious. When opportunities come your way, it’s easy to decide whether you should say “Yes” or “No” to the opportunity.

Get a Free Copy of our “Identify Your Personal Values Workbook”

Your Strengths, Weaknesses and Interests

Before diving into job listings and sending out resumes, take some time for the second part of self-assessment. Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values is critical in identifying roles that will fit your lifestyle and align with your values and long-term career goals.

Start by asking yourself:

  • What are my core skills and competencies?
  • What industries or roles am I passionate about?
  • What type of work environment do I thrive in?

We use tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or StrengthsFinder to provide valuable insights into your personality and strengths. Seeking feedback from a career coach can help you better understand your potential career paths.

Contact Us to learn more about how we can help you

2. Research and Target the Right Opportunities

Why waste your time on random job openings? Once you have a clear idea of your values, strengths, weaknesses and interests, the next step is to research and identify potential job opportunities that match your skills and values. This involves more than just browsing job boards; it requires targeted research into companies, roles, and industries.

Consider the following:

  • Industry Trends: Is the industry growing or dying? Are there things in the news indicating things that may have a positive or negative impact on the industry? Understand the current trends and demands in your chosen field.
  • Company Research: Look for companies that align with your values and offer growth opportunities. Are they a good fit for you?
  • Role Specifications: Identify roles that match your skill set and career aspirations. No sense spending your time on a job that you don’t like. You may consider taking a position that can help you grow into your dream career. But, you must be clear about your long term goal.
  • Skills Gaps: Identify any skills gaps you may have related to the industry you want to pursue. Once you’ve identified gaps, figure out how you can close those gaps to give yourself a better chance.

Networking is also a vital component of this stage. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with people in your desired field on platforms like LinkedIn. Informational interviews can provide insider knowledge and potentially lead to job opportunities.

You can also schedule a FREE 20 minute coaching session with us to help get things started!

3. Polish Your Resume and Online Presence

Your resume and online presence are often your first impressions to potential employers. Ensure that both are polished, professional, and tailored to your target roles.

  • Resume: Employers don’t have a lot of time. They are quickly looking at your resume to see if there is an obvious fit. Help them see how you can be of benefit to their company. Highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. Use action verbs and give detail about your accomplishments where possible. Rewrite your resume to match job descriptions.
  • LinkedIn Profile: Keep your LinkedIn profile up-to-date with current photos and details of your experience and skills. Join and participate in industry-related groups. People will begin to notice.

Special Note – Please clean up your social media accounts to ensure they reflect a professional image. Employers often (probably always) look at candidates’ online presence as part of their screening process.

4. Prepare for Interviews

Securing an interview is significant, but preparation is crucial in making a solid impression. Search online or with a career coach to find common interview questions for your industry. Prepare your responses. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your experience effectively.

Also, think of questions to ask during your interview. Let them know you are interested in their company. It will also help you gather valuable information about the company and its culture.

Our Career Coaching Membership includes access to all of our Learning Resources.

5. Stay Positive and Persistent

The job search process can be challenging and sometimes lengthy, but maintaining a positive attitude and staying persistent is crucial. Rejections are a natural part of the process; each is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Here are some tips to stay motivated:

  • Set Realistic Goals: Send out a specific number of weekly applications. Schedule a certain number of interviews per week or month, etc.
  • Take Care of Yourself: Ensure you’re maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Take a hike, exercise, rest, spend time with friends. All of these will help you maintain a positive attitude.
  • Seek Support: Ask friends, family, a career coach or a support group for encouragement and advice.

Each step you take moves you toward finding the right opportunity. With determination, preparation, and the right strategies, you’ll be well on your way to landing your ideal job or starting your career.

Beginning Your Career Search doesn’t have to be hard!

Call us or email your questions! We’re always happy to help.