Why You Should Always Plan for Your Job Search

Know why you need a plan for your job search

By Selipha Kihagi

When was the last time you took a step back to evaluate the progress of your job search? To look at what is working for you and what is not? To see where you are making mistakes and what you can do to improve your chances of getting hired?  It is no doubt that most job seekers in Kenya are more focused on applying to as many jobs as possible. Most of you do care much about having a plan for your job search. You want to find open positions in your field of study, submit your CV in application and wait for that call about an interview.

If you are a victim of this, then you might want to change your focus and work on having an actual plan for your job search. Why? Finding open jobs and making applications is a ritual that every job seeker has to go through. But only smart job seekers with an existing plan for their job search get through to the interview stage and get hired. So just like an entrepreneur will need a plan to start a business and see it through to making profits, you too need a plan if your job search is to reward you any success.

And the good news, there will be minimal room for mistakes in your job applications when you have a plan for your job search. If you are still not convinced, below are reasons you should take time to plan for your job search.

3 Benefits of Having a Plan for Your Job Search

1. You get to know where the jobs are before you even start looking

When coming up with a plan for your job search, the first step is usually to collect all the information you can about the current job market. For instance, you will focus on identifying the companies and organizations that hire often, the kind of roles that most organizations are hiring for and even the type of roles that offer a good salary package. All this information will be available in your research and you can use your findings to identify the roles to lookout for.

You will also have a clear idea of where to find the roles in question. You could decide to approach recruiters of the specific organizations directly or even to work with a recruitment firm in your job search. Whatever method you settle on, it will help reduce the time you would have spent scouring through job sites without an actual plan.

2. Recruiters will be more impressed with you when you have a plan

I have told you before how to contact recruiters for a job. I have also outlined in another post how to network your way into a job without looking desperate. Now I am sharing a secret with you that recruiters and employers will be more impressed when you approach them with a well-laid-out plan for your job search. They don’t want to work with a job seeker who is not sure of the kind of job they are looking for.

So before you reach out to recruiters about finding a job, first make sure you have an idea of the kind of job you want and why you want it. Make sure you also know what type of employer you are looking to work with. And this will be easily available if you take time to come up with a plan for your job hunt.

3. You are able to put together compelling documents that get you the interview

Anyone can apply for a job opening they believe they are qualified for, but only the very best who already know what employers are looking for usually get the interview. This is why you will find many candidates stuck wondering why they can’t get an interview despite making numerous job applications. So as a job seeker, you need to take your job search seriously and decide on a plan beforehand.

Start by taking into consideration what employers want to see in your CV, what they expect to see in your cover letter and understand the importance of an updated LinkedIn profile.  Then use that information to transform yourself into the best candidate by having updated documents that meet every employer’s needs.

A successful job search is only possible for job seekers who understand that getting a job in Kenya is tough, and who will do everything they can to get through all hurdles.  Remember you are competing against hundreds of other qualified job seekers and you have to stand out as an individual.

For this reason, you cannot afford to be another substandard candidate. You need make applications with a professional CV, select the most effective job search strategy and have all the stages of your job hunt covered. And the best way to do this is by having a plan for your job search.

Selipha is a Communications Officer at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading Recruitment firm that offers CV Writing, Job Placement & Career Advice. If you have any queries, contact selipha@corporatestaffing.co.ke

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