2020 job application advice for job seekers

The end of the year and the beginning of the next are good times for introspection. For anyone resolved to find a new job in 2020, we’ve put together a list of the top 5 pieces of job seeker advice that we found in 2019. These particular bits of wisdom go beyond the standard recommendations that most job seekers have already heard and provide some extra perspective on the process.

1. Hope comes from choices

According to Jason Alba, one of the most important aspects of a job search is hope. And, hope comes from having options. If you have multiple skills and more than one income stream, or can change industry or professions, your hope will carry you through a difficult job search.

2. Prepare for new interview tools

Mark Anthony Dyson recommends taking some time to learn about the latest interview techniques, particularly those that make use of video and artificial intelligence. Many companies also incorporate behavioral assessments. With video interviews becoming commonplace, it pays to prepare ahead of time to make the best impression. 

3. Write a 30-60-90-day plan for every interview

The experts at Career Confidential suggest writing a 30-60-90-day plan for every interview. This forward look at what you can do for the organization demonstrates that you have what it takes to do the job in addition to the initiative and communication skills every hiring manager wants to see.

4. Build/re-energize your personal brand

Kathryn Vasel at CNN Business writes, it’s never too late to build your personal brand through professional online activity. Choose the platforms that make the most sense for your chosen industry—whether it’s LinkedIn groups, Twitter, user groups or other discussion forums—and become an active participant and contributor. You want to be in the same online places as potential hiring managers. While this approach takes time, it will pay off when a hiring manager recognizes your name from your posts. 

5. Rank well on Google

Alison Doyle at The Balance Careers reminds us about the importance of being found by recruiters who perform Google searches to vet candidates. In addition to your LinkedIn profile, she recommends creating profiles on other professional networking sites that are likely to rank in Google searches. Use your name for the URL, if possible. This goes hand-in-hand with your personal brand, so take the time to build a complete profile on the sites where you’re active. 

If you do need to brush up on the basics, whether it’s how to dress for an interview, negotiate salary or prepare for the tough questions, these sites provide the ongoing advice and guidance that will make your job search a success. 

LinkedIn: In addition to extensive job listings and the ability to connect directly with potential hiring managers, LinkedIn offers a wealth of resources for the job seeker. These include resume writing services, short videos on how to respond to common interview questions, a nationwide salary guide and workforce reports on hiring trends. These resources are complemented by the thousands of groups, thought leaders and articles focused on job seekers. 

Glassdoor: Glassdoor provides employees with an opportunity to anonymously review their current and former employers—giving job seekers an insider’s perspective. Glassdoor offers a personalized salary calculator so you can assess your market worth, as well as the ability to search salaries by geography. It also provides insights into the interview questions you might encounter at a particular company based on the experience of prior interviewees. Finally, Glassdoor also has a research arm that reports on hiring and market trends, career guides and an active blog with helpful articles.

Seeking a librarian or information position?

For our fellow librarians, LibGig offers industry-specific advice for standing out in your job search:

• Stand out on LinkedIn: For more discussion on personal branding and how to maximize your LinkedIn profile, view this helpful advice from Nathan Rosen. 
• Reinventing yourself professionally: See what Logan Tapscott, an LAC Group librarian, has to say about how librarians can reinvent themselves and reframe their career approach. 
• Highlighting your librarian skills for a new job: Get some pointers from LibGig Director of Recruiting, Brad Rogers, on what you can do to build the skill set you need to be viable in the job market.

If you have any questions about applications, interviews or the recruiting process, feel free to contact me.