7 Tips to Secure Your Ideal Job in 2024

Searching for a job is a full-time job and it involves been tactical, focused, and strategic. Therefore, if you are searching for a job there are things you should know and do to ensure that you secure that dream job.

And it doesn’t matter if you are a fresh graduate or you have been job hunting for a while or you are looking at changing jobs, there are certain rules you must adhere to, to increase your chances of being the last one standing.

1. There are more job opportunities during the first quarter of the year. The first quarter of the year seems to be the best time to hunt for jobs. This is because many companies at the end of the previous year must have evaluated their performance in the outgoing year and will be looking for personnel to either fill vacant positions or compliment the existing staff to elevate their performance in the new financial year. Hence, you must rightly position yourself and take advantage of the season.
2. Network More: You must know that many job vacancies are not advertised. There could be two explanations to this. One, some companies might not want to spend money on adverts and two, some companies are comfortable with referrals from trusted associates. You must be active in networking this year, either online or in-person. You can attend networking events such as career/job fairs, conferences, meet-ups, seminars, etc. Do not be ashamed to let people know you a job hunting, speak to your friends, family members, church members, and others, you may not know the person who knows another person that might be interested in employing you. You could also contact employers directly. You can submit your expression of interest letter in person or by email. However, your letter should contain reasons why you wish to work with them, your qualifications, experience, and skills in your field that you are bringing onboard to contribute to the growth of the company.
3. Volunteer/Intern: Identify companies you would like to work with and volunteer to work with any of them. This way, you will be building experience in your field. You could also be fortunate to be retained in the company if they found you to be a good asset.
4. Revamp Your Online presence: while social media is a good platform to express yourself, it could also make or mar your chances of getting employed. Lots of employers conduct background checks on intending employees and your social media presence is one of the ways to check you out. So, you might do yourself a favor to get rid of whatever you know might influence a negative decision about you.Your LinkedIn profile should also be Polished. Showcase your achievements and engage with professionals in your field. Ensure your skill profile is up to date and other relevant profiles. Your profile summary should be well curated and use a professional picture.
5.  Makeover Your CV and Cover letter: Your CV and Cover Letter are your salesmen or sales documents; you are the product and see your potential employer as the buyer. If that’s the case, then you must consider either your sales documents are selling you well or they are demarketing you. Then ask yourself, if you are the buyer and someone presents your cv and cover letter as the sales documents, will you be impressed enough to buy the product? Let your CV and cover letter speak beautifully for you; revamp them and update them if necessary. Also note to always tailor your CV and cover letter for each position you are applying to.
6. Upskill: employers want to employ people that will add value to their company. Therefore, you must stay up to date and learn relevant skills that will make you stand out from the crowd. While there are technical and job specific skills that you should identify and learn, there are also soft skills that employers are looking for and you should develop that too. To better put it, develop competence and character. Competence is your ability to do the job, your skills and proficiency, while your character are attributes that ensure that you last on the job.
7. Be positive. The journey to landing your dream job can be discouraging. You could get sad and depressed when you don’t get positive feedback from places you applied to. However, don’t be discouraged, delays are not denials. Stay hopeful, pray, play, and enjoy the moment. Your time is coming. You will get your own job and it will be loud.

Extra Point: Prepare to Ace Your Interview. The interview is an opportunity to convince the employer that you are the best fit for the role applied for. However, you can spoil the opportunity when you fail to prepare. To ace your interview, read and understand the job description so that you know what is required of you, research about the company, dress well, be punctual, and prepare well.