jobsSearching for a new opportunity can be a humbling and vulnerable journey. The process can wear on your confidence, make you doubt yourself, and potentially make you lose sight of what you want out of a new opportunity. During a job search, there are five do’s and don’ts that can help along the way.

While the journey has its ups and downs, don’t let your potential employer detect your low points. Applying for job after job without any word back can become discouraging, but it is important to treat each application as your first.  Recruiters are experts at reading between the lines. It you aren’t applying for jobs that you’re enthusiastic about, then you probably shouldn’t be applying for them. From the moment you send in a resume, whether you’re applying directly with a company, or with a recruiting firm similar to Experience Factor, you are beginning a relationship with a Human Resources recruiting professional.

Recruiters are in a position to be your biggest advocate. It is your prerogative to have us on your side, so treat the relationship professionally. Multiple times a day I receive emails that just have a resume attached, without including a brief cover letter, or even a sentence or two introducing themselves. In order to establish yourself separate from the herd, write a cover letter.  We do read them to find out more about you, and how we can potentially be a resource for you. If you are an applicant that comes in for an interview, a follow up phone call, or a thank you email and quick check in down the road are encouraged to keep you at the front of the recruiter’s mind.

If you would like more in depth insight into the recruiter’s perspective, click here. While the job searching process can be a struggle, and there will inevitably be highs and lows, remain confident in how you can add value to an organization. Demonstrate that value in how you handle your job search.

By Libby Garon