If you’ve been looking for a new job, but haven’t gotten much traction, it is time to diagnose what’s working and what’s not working.
Throwing your resume on more sites, applying to more jobs or meeting more people might make you feel more productive. But the best way to re-prioritize your search is to determine what isn’t working. Start by asking questions about how you perform some basic job search activities.
1. How many jobs did you apply to last month? You should be tracking your applications, so you can keep track of the resumes and cover letters you use. Did you customize your materials for the job opportunity? A resume that doesn’t match the job description will be overlooked. Before you applied, did you look for someone inside the company you could speak with or use as a referral? Referred candidates are the most likely to get hired. After you applied, did you follow up with human resources or someone inside the company to find out when the interviews would begin? Finally, and most importantly, how many calls have you received as a result of submitting the applications you sent out? If the companies you’ve applied to haven’t contact you, it’s pretty clear that your resume and cover letter are the problem. Invest time in revamping these materials by asking people you know to provide feedback.
2. How many people did you meet last week? Purposefully reaching out and meeting with people is a great way to expand your network and gain valuable information and advice. If you did meet with people, how many have you followed up with by sending a thank-you note or connecting with on LinkedIn? The answer for both questions should be all of them. If not, it isn’t too late.
In order to gain value from your network, you must keep in touch with the people you meet. Your first meeting is like a first date. In order for the relationship to grow, you will need to stay in touch and have a second meeting. The next logical question is how many people did you re-connect with last week? If you don’t reach out after the initial meeting, people are likely to forget about you. You need to stay top-of-mind. Professional association meetings or group events can be beneficial for meeting new people in your profession. Have you attended any? Check your local paper or talk with people in your profession to see which groups they recommend. Job search must involve human contact. Your goal is to incorporate more of this into your search.
3. Besides the job boards, where are you finding jobs? Not every job is posted to a job board. Have you created a list of companies you would like to work for? Most companies post jobs on their own website under a career or jobs page. Are you following these companies on LinkedIn and Twitter? Do you subscribe to their company blog? More companies are using social media to connect and engage with potential employees. Following a company on social can help you learn more about the company and meet people online who work there. If you haven’t created a list of companies, you may be missing opportunities posted on their website or shared through social media.
4. How many third-party recruiters have you submitted your resume to? Some companies prefer to work with outside recruiters. Have you contacted any third-party recruiters that specialize in filling jobs in your field? In case you didn’t know, third-party recruiters work on behalf of the company, not you, so don’t expect them to find you a job. You can identify appropriate recruiters by talking to people in your profession and ask which recruiters they would recommend. It is important to follow up with recruiters after you’ve submitted your resume, just as you would if you were applying any other job posting. If recruiters aren’t contacting you after you’ve submitted your resume, you may not have enough of the right experience or you may not have made the right first impression. Either contact the recruiter and ask for feedback or diversify the pool of recruiters you are reaching out to.
5. How many interviews have you had since you started your job search? Chances are, you’ve had one or more in-person interviews. But how many times were you invited back for a second interview? In today’s market, it is unrealistic to think that every interview will convert into a job offer. However, if nobody calls back after a phone screening or in-person interview, it usually means you need to work on your interviewing skills. Polish your skills by role-playing with a colleague. Even practicing your interview answers out loud can make a difference.
6. Are you socially savvy? Social media is a big part of job search today. Do you have a LinkedIn profile that is 100 percent complete? A strong LinkedIn profile is one way more people can see who you are and what you are capable of. Do you have more than 100 connections on LinkedIn? If not, your limited network isn’t as likely to be helpful. Expand your connections to reflect the number of people you already know in real life. Are you using any other social networks? Do you have a personal website or blog? Have you included links to your profiles and personal website in your email signature? Companies are either researching you or searching for you online. You want to make sure they can find an appropriate representation of the professional you.
If you don’t know the answers to some of these questions, it’s time to start tracking your activities and results. You can’t fix your job search if you don’t know what’s broken.
More from U.S. News
Job Seekers, Diagnose What’s Ailing Your Job Search originally appeared on usnews.com