22 Practical Tips on How to Job Hunt While Working

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How to job hunt while working? Job seeking is well-known for being frightening, intimidating, and tiring, but it can also be thrilling, gratifying, and simpler than you think. Putting your best foot forward will make the job hunt much simpler for everyone from those who have lost their employment abruptly to those who are trying a career shift. This article will feature how to job hunt while working.

How to job hunt while working

Add small, tangible activities to your to-do list if you’re in the middle of a job hunt to keep your spirits up. Here are a few easy victories you can make right now, from the comfort of your sofa, to help you obtain the job you want. Let’s find below some tips on how to job hunt while working!

1. While you’re still employed, do some research.

Waiting until you’re unemployed adds an extra layer of stress to your job search. While you’re still working, do some research and make some queries if at all possible.

When discussing your job hunt with coworkers or possible employers, make it clear that you’d prefer to keep things private—the last thing you want is for the word to come back to your employer before you’ve landed your next position. See Jacquelyn Smiths’ excellent post The Do’s and Don’ts of Job Searching While You’re Still Employed for further advice.

2. Keep your LinkedIn and other social media profiles up to date.

This is a must-have, and if you don’t have one, now is the time to get one. The fundamentals, such as relevant work experience, a compelling profile photo, and core capabilities, are a fantastic place to start.

Even if you haven’t left yet, update your resume with your most recent work data (go to the privacy settings to alter things like enabling recruiters to see that you’re job looking and turning off profile update notifications to connections).

This is a wonderful opportunity to ask for references from contacts and to include any publications, personal website links, and accomplishments that you’ve authored. Don’t be scared to “connect” with others and follow firms or topics that interest you—you could just find your future job this way.

3. Create a personal brand

Time may be your ally when seeking a job. Instead of sitting around waiting for the right job to come along, but that time to good use by working on your own brand. This might include improving your social media picture, joining online and offline professional groups, and networking with other professionals in your sector.

While developing your personal brand takes time and dedication, it is a strategy that will benefit you today and in the future.

4. Be Extremely Wary About Who You Tell

You shouldn’t expect your cubicle companion to remain quiet about your future job possibilities just because you trust her not to take your stapler. Many offices have decommissioned the water cooler, but the conversation that took place there remains on.

While still leveraging the strength of your network, keep your employment leads and interviews as secret as possible. Only entrust your quest to those you know won’t tell on you, and ask them to keep it private.

5. Take on unpaid labor to expand your portfolio.

If your job search has lasted more than a few weeks and you’re in a financial position to do so, volunteer work might help you build your CV. Taking on short-term unpaid (or low-paying) assignments might help you get more experience in your chosen field and enhance your chances of landing your ideal career.

6. Update your resume

Although applying for jobs online using your LinkedIn profile is getting easier than ever, you’ll need a strong résumé to back it up.

If you work in a creative area (graphic design, copywriting, social media management, etc. ), creating a visually attractive resume—rather than simply a plain-text Word document—is becoming the standard. Also keep in mind that if you work in the creative field, your resume will make an even stronger first impression on potential employers. Before you even get a chance to shake their hand, the way you portray yourself visually on paper and how you choose to write your content will speak volumes.

Make sure all of your job descriptions are current and use the past tense when speaking (unless you still work there). If you have any gaps in your work history, be careful to explain them. Finally, double-check your spelling and use an app like Hemingway to make you seem succinct. Have a peer you respect in your area check it through to see if everything makes sense.

7. Act the job search as if it were a full-time job.

It’s acceptable to take a week or two off after losing your job, but treating the job search like an extended vacation will just prolong your jobless. Treat your job hunt like a 9-to-5 job, and have a strategy in place for how you’ll spend your time.

8. Improve your abilities by taking an online course.

Taking an online course may make your CV stand out, whether you’re looking for a job in a different area or just want to improve your existing competence. It not only gives you new abilities, but it also demonstrates that you’re driven and eager to put in the effort to improve yourself and get the perfect career.

9. Begin to improve your skills.

While investigating, did you discover any talents that you don’t have in your toolbox? No worries, this is where you begin to improve your skills. Choose a skill you’ve always wanted to learn that will help you succeed in your new job and dedicate yourself to it.

Whether you’re learning a soft skill like public speaking or a hard skill like photography, there are a plethora of excellent online resources to assist you along the way. You can learn almost anything on sites like Skillshare or YouTube. Remember: Investing the time and money in yourself to upskill is always worth it.

You can honestly say you’re learning something new that will help you on the job, even if you haven’t mastered the skill by the time you’re sitting down for an interview. Employers will be impressed that you’ve taken the time and effort to learn something new, and you’ll feel great saying “I’m learning how to do that” rather than “I don’t know how to do that.”

10. Take frequent breaks.

While it’s important to keep yourself busy and motivated while unemployed, it’s also important to build in times of rest and relaxation. Because looking for a job can be one of life’s most stressful events, scheduling time for self-care activities like exercising and socializing with friends can help you stay sane.

11. Network and volunteer

Now it’s time to have some fun! Look for events in your area on Facebook Local that are relevant to your industry, age, or interests, and then attend them! Prepare to discuss your current or previous employment situation, as well as a clear idea of what type of new job you’re looking for.

Be confident and don’t be afraid to meet someone for coffee if they ask—that’s how it all begins! Allowing yourself to be known in the job search universe increases your chances of being considered when a position becomes available.

12. Your boss might interpret your presence as a threat.

Giving your boss advance notice that you’re exploring new opportunities may seem like a good idea, especially if he or she knows you won’t be able to advance within the company. But be very careful: A few employers may even see your pleasant “heads up” as a threat for salary or benefits power to negotiate.

The employer might very well begin to view you as a temporary employee and remove you from ambitious tasks, or, worse, begin looking for a replacement right away.

13. Get away from your computer.

Looking for work used to entail distributing dozens of resumes and then waiting for a call. Much of today’s job searching is done on a computer using job boards, social media, and email. Resist the urge to spend all of your time online and instead go out and network. Attend industry conferences, meet up with old colleagues for coffee, and join networking groups.

You never know where these interactions may go, and getting out keeps you linked to reality.

14. Improve your interview attire.

In this article, we’ve talked a lot about first impressions, and this advice doesn’t end with a face-to-face encounter. Dressing up is still a must (even if you know your potential employer wears jeans to work every day), and looking sharp and polished is essential. Sometimes all you need is a pair of neutral shoes or elegant mules, a basic skirt or pair of slacks, and a button-down shirt to complete the outfit.

15. Make your network aware of your search.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, up to 80% of positions are filled without employers publicizing them. While this figure appears to be high, we are aware that many positions never make it onto a formal job advertisement.

Employers are increasingly depending on personal recommendations from colleagues and workers to find individuals they know and trust. As a job seeker, you may benefit from the fact that competition is less severe. However, this implies that you must put yourself out there so that your network is aware of the sort of employment you’re searching for.

16. Ask former bosses for references

Even if you like your current boss, it should go without saying that you should use former employers as references in your job search. Prospective employers will appreciate your want to keep your job hunt private. (If your firm is deliberately shrinking, this is an exemption.)

17. Be honest with potential employers.

If a prospective employer asks if your current employer is aware of your job hunt, give him the truth: “No.” Through a reference check, potential employers may quickly find if you’re lying, and you’ll most likely be eliminated from the running.

18. Carefully read job descriptions (then read them again)

Make a list of all the possible job titles you’d want to pursue. Then, on LinkedIn, Monster, and other online job boards, look for these titles and apply for the positions that appeal to you, regardless of location, pay, or experience—this is just an investigation!

Keep in mind the skills that companies are searching for in this position (Pinterest Image Builder? With a six-figure budget, how do you organize a bi-monthly event? Five years in the fashion industry as a fashion editor?) Then make adjustments to your CV and LinkedIn profile to reflect these abilities.

If a piece of software you know is frequently referenced, include it in your resume and profile—don’t assume the potential employer will be aware of it.

19. Arrange interviews in a strategic manner.

Because you can’t have doctor’s appointments every morning for a week without raising suspicion, be imaginative with your interview schedule. Interviews should be scheduled before or after work, or at lunchtime. Use vacation or personal days for interviews if your interviewer isn’t flexible with your schedule before you have learned how to job hunt while working.

20. Don’t Ignore Your Current Position

Just because you feel your current company’s connection with you is finished doesn’t imply your employer agrees. Keep your attention on your present duties during working hours. For the time you have left, you owe it to your company to be a productive employee. (This includes the time after you’ve filed your resignation letter.)

21. You Haven’t Been Hired Yet

It’s normal to get excited about a new job after a great interview (or two or three), but keep in mind that the job isn’t yours until you’re offered it. Don’t hand in your resignation letter to your supervisor until you’ve received a written offer.

It’s difficult to look for work while you’re working. Who wants to do extra work after work, after all? However, there are certain advantages to the procedure. Employed job seekers are better positioned to negotiate pay and are less likely to accept the first offer that comes their way.

22. Separate your job search from your work.

If your business is actively downsizing and you’ve been advised your job isn’t secure and you’re allowed to utilize company time for your hunt, it’s occasionally OK to look for new employment at work. Keep your job hunt and employment separate at all other times. Never use your company’s computer to look for employment, and never use your work email to communicate with possible employers. Many companies monitor computers and email in the same way they monitor social media activity.

Similarly, do not use corporate resources to print resumes or work samples, and do not send direct mail to potential employers using the shared company mailroom.

Having a strategy in place throughout your job hunt may help you stay focused while also increasing your chances of landing the ideal position to apply how to job hunt while working. The techniques outlined above will not only help you be recruited quicker, but they will also help you succeed once you’ve been hired—more connections, greater abilities, and a strong personal brand will help you stand out as a valuable employee.

We hope you have enjoyed these tips on how to job hunt while working.