In 2017, the average amount of time an unemployed person spent out of a job was 25 weeks. Many people spend months looking for their next position. But sometimes, you can’t wait that long. If your savings are running low and you’ve got bills piling up, you need a job right now, not six months down the road. Here’s how to search for a job when it’s crunch time.
1. Revamp your resume
First, make sure your resume is detailed and accurate, with an attractive layout. Check that your contact information is correct and that someone can immediately spot your name, phone number, and email address at the top of the page. You don’t want a clunky resume to hold back your job search.
2. Ask friends to recommend you
Sometimes employers are more willing to hire when there’s a personal connection with the candidate. They feel more confident bringing a new hire on board when that person is already known and trusted by other staff members. Ask your friends and contacts to let you know if their companies are hiring and to keep you in mind if a job opens up. See if anyone can introduce you to a hiring manager for an informational interview. Don’t feel shy about reaching out to people you’ve met at networking events, too.
3. Attend events
Speaking of networking, this is the time to go to events, talk to as many people as possible, and ask if they know anyone who’s hiring. Try to go to at least one event every couple of days if possible. This can be a networking event, a conference or speaker series, a job fair, a charity benefit, or even a happy hour that other hospitality professionals attend. Meeting in person gives you a chance to showcase your professionalism and friendliness to potential employers, who can learn a lot more about your personality from a face-to-face conversation than from a cover letter.
Attending events also shows commitment and dedication to the industry. Employers get a lot of resumes from people who later skip out on interviews or are absent from work. Going to events sends a signal that you’re serious about your job search and you’re going to show up.
4. Call to check on your applications
Did you apply for some jobs a couple of weeks back without getting a response? Don’t assume the answer is “no.” Call employers, you’ve applied to recently and ask about your application status. This demonstrates interest and gives you the chance to make a great impression with a courteous phone call. You may land an interview after following up or gain some valuable information.
For example, the employer might let you know that you didn’t get the job you were hoping for but that they’re hiring for another position. Or, you might find out that the person they originally offered the job turned it down and that they’ll take another look at your application.
5. Cast a wide net
If your job search efforts aren’t getting results fast enough, you may need to broaden your search and apply to some jobs that aren’t ideal. Apply to jobs even if they pay less than you would prefer and even if they seem easier or less interesting than your last job. Don’t think of this as settling for less than what you want; instead, it’s a strategic way to get your foot in the door. When better opportunities come up later, you’ll be in a good position to get hired for them because you’ll have current references and recent work history.
6. Look for temporary work
A seasonal job can turn into year-round employment if you excel at your role, so apply for temporary opportunities. Temporary work also has the advantage of giving you some income to tide you over while you search for a permanent position.