Common job search problems

By far the most common problem I encounter in the job search is a lack of clarity. If you find that you don’t like any of the jobs, then describe what the ideal job would look like in detail, before searching for it. If you feel like you’ve followed all of these instructions fully and still can’t find something you’re interested in, there could be a couple of reasons for this, and maybe we need to go deeper again. I hope you’re starting to see that the best strategy is the one you create by deciphering what search criteria work best for you. To do this effectively, I encourage you to listen very carefully to what you like or don’t like about any given position. Then, use that feedback to update your search criteria. A word of caution: if you find yourself saying, 'no' to most or all of the roles, then something is radically wrong. Here are some common problems and solutions. If you find yourself:

CAREERRonan Kennedy5 December 2022job descriptions, job hunting, blog

Using keywords to find a new job

There are basically two ways to actively search for a new job - by title or by keywords. Some people like a title because you can hang your hat on it, but the risk is that it doesn't take into account the nuances around the characteristics (e.g. autonomy, impact, teamwork culture) of a role. Also, it fails to reveal potentially interesting roles that have 'the wrong title' or a misleading title. On the other hand, keywords give people a chance to identify both the title and the characteristics of the roles they're interested in, which is why I think it's a better approach to the job hunt. But don't take my word for it — why not try both and see which works best for you?

Here are three tips to keep in mind:

Use specific keywords -
Try an exact match by using " "
Add negative keywords if necessary

CAREERRonan Kennedy12 April 2021job hunting

Job Hunting: Active versus Passive

Simply speaking there are two types of approach to job searches: active and passive. Active is where you’re proactively dedicating time to searching for suitable opportunities online and offline, and passive is when you’re waiting for opportunities to be presented to you either through your email updates or recruiters/contacts reaching out to you. While they both can work, the approach you choose will depend on your urgency regarding changing roles. In my opinion, it’s best to adopt the active approach because it will mean that you’ll put more focus and effort into it, ultimately improving your chances of getting a good job.

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