How to Get a Job Fast: Quick Tips for Job Seekers

In today’s unpredictable economy, many job-seekers are looking to speed up the hiring process when job searching. While the obvious benefits of working include financial stability and gaining professional experience, working offers a sense of achievement and an opportunity to socialize. While joining the workforce can be challenging and time-consuming, you can maximize your hiring efforts and minimize the time it takes to get a job. 

Get tips on how to get a job fast to begin your professional path as soon as possible. 

Update your resume and LinkedIn profile

When looking for employment, ensure all the information on your resume and networking sites is up to date with your most recent work history and any new relevant skills. Customize your resume before applying to each specific position, tailoring it to reflect the qualifications you have that match what the employer’s looking for. A few tips employers look at when reviewing your resume include:

• Transferable skills: This shows employers skills you have learned that can transfer from one job to another. If your transferable skills are in line with the potential job but you have yet to fully qualify for the position, focusing on your skills may help. 

• Experience: You may have experience from past jobs, internships, volunteer work, leadership roles, and other ways that show employers you can fulfill the position for which they are hiring.

• Accomplishments: Adding accomplishments to your resume shows your potential employer that you have the qualifications to help you succeed, which will help you get a competitive edge.

Your LinkedIn page can also be helpful by offering viewers a view of your professional background. Make sure you include recent jobs and any new skills. Add a more recent, professional photo, and make sure your profile is set to “open to work” so potential employers see this. Moreover, to activate the job alerts option. 

Leverage your network

Leverage your work by reaching out to your network and communicating that you’re actively job seeking. Some ways networking may be helpful when you are looking to get a job quickly include:

1. Saving time by reaching out to someone in your network who may be familiar with a company or person looking to hire in your industry.

2. Asking an acquaintance who is in your industry to mention you to the hiring manager, which might give you a better chance to interview sooner. 

3. Receiving a recommendation or referral from an acquaintance can help save time, as hiring managers may feel more confident in your abilities and qualifications. 

Online search engines are a valuable way to look for a job. You might consider joining groups, organizations, and websites relevant to your goals and job hunt. Read up on any discussions that involve the industry you are interested in, and participate with others. Like or comment on industry-related posts to show your account is active. 

LinkedIn is the most widely-used social media tool for hiring managers to find prospective employees, with seven candidates hired every minute on LinkedIn [1]. Add strategic keywords that might help hiring managers connect with your profile. Copy words that come up in job descriptions that are of interest to you, and use them in your profile.

Apply strategically

Be strategic about your approach and look for jobs that require skills you already possess. Make a list of your skills. Ask colleagues, supervisors, friends, and your social networks what they think your strengths are. The feedback you receive will help boost your confidence and perhaps even uncover a set of skills you have that you may not have been aware of.

When sending your cover letter and resume, be clear that you have the skills the position requires. Use words or phrases that appear in the job description in your cover letter to make it easier for potential employers to find your resume and see that you are a good match. Many companies use software to determine if your information meets the needs of the available job before your resume comes across the hiring manager’s desk. 

Use job search platforms effectively 

Many job search platforms are available that offer job candidates myriad opportunities. First, use the advanced search option when it is available to narrow your search. Simply type in the title and location you are looking for. Some sites allow you to filter by last listed, salary, and more. When looking for work on a job search site, make sure you choose the best ones for your needs. Examples include: 

• Indeed: This site lists diverse job openings and job skills testing to show employers your proficiency in specific skills.

• ZipRecruiter: This job search engine uses an algorithm to match job openings with potential employees looking for the job title, making it a helpful site for hiring recruiters. When employers post a job opening, it automatically goes out to more than a hundred different sites. 

• LinkedIn: This site is a great online place for networking that features an integrated job listing area. It serves as an extensive list of professionals, many of whom use this site to find potential candidates. It also allows a way to connect with hiring managers.

You can also utilize niche job boards that focus on specialties like a specific industry, occupational experience, or geography. A few examples include Dice, eFinancialCareers, and Idealist. Dice is best for technical jobs dealing with technology and IT while eFinancialCareers focuses on financial professionals looking to advance in their careers. Idealist is a socially conscious site that promotes jobs that make a social impact in the world or work for a nonprofit organization.

While social media job sites offer another solid resource, it’s a good idea to also send your resume to the hiring manager at the company, who you can usually find on the company website. This will increase your visibility. If you know of a company you’d like to work for but don’t have a contact for them, check their website to see if they are hiring, and consider reaching out to the company directly to ask about any openings. 

Prepare for interviews

Once you reach the interview phase, be sure you prepare thoroughly. Go in informed, familiar with the job you are applying for, and ready for any potential questions. Doing so shows that you have done your research and can boost your confidence.

Easy tips to prepare for an interview.

Some of the basics include arriving a few minutes early and dressing appropriately. More quick tips to consider include:

• Research the company, the position, and the interviewer to prepare questions to ask near the end of the interview based on your research.

• Be yourself so the interviewer can see what kind of fit you would be in their company.

• Follow up with the interviewer by sending a handwritten thank you note within 24 hours of the meeting to show your appreciation and to have a reason to reach out. 

Common interview questions and how to answer them.

The way you answer common interview questions shows a lot about who you are, not just your past experience and skills. Standard questions, such as “Tell me about yourself” or “Where do you see yourself in X number of years?” are great opportunities to tell a quick story about your professional career, mentioning how you handle experiences, successes, and challenges. Interviews offer a one-on-one chance to explain anything your resume doesn’t, such as focusing on your strengths and accomplishments using examples.

Consider temporary or freelance work

It can take time to find the job you are looking for, so in the meantime, consider temporary work. A temporary job offers many benefits, including earning money, avoiding a lapse on your resume, and maintaining stability. In addition, a temporary job gives you the chance to keep your skills current and discover new skills and responsibilities. 

A temporary job is also a great way to network. You could make excellent connections and grow your network, and it may lead to a great opportunity inthe future. You may even have the chance to change from a temporary worker to a permanent employee. Many companies use temporary positions to see how the candidate works before hiring them full-time. By starting as a temporary employee, you have the advantage of showing your skills and taking on more responsibility.

Develop new skills quickly

Make sure you list your skills on your profile pages and resume, and match them with what your potential employer is looking for. If the job for which you are applying lists skills that are new to you, check out online resources to learn in-demand skills quickly. Consider an online course, such as Coursera, which also offers degrees and certificates to build your knowledge.

Boost your job skills with Coursera 

When interviewing for a job, your resume and professional online profiles should align with the description of the role for which you are applying. Even if you land your dream job quickly, adding new skills to your resume can expand your job options and lead to career advancement. 

Engaging in online learning can help you develop in-demand skills to further your goals. For example, you might explore options like the Generative AI for Everyone to build a solid foundation of knowledge about artificial intelligence, a technology changing the way employees across industries approach work.