Job Hunting Tips to Help you Land your Dream Job

Here are our top 10 job hunting tips to help you land your dream job!

1. Ask yourself: ‘What job do I want?’
2. Make a plan
3. Update and customise your CV
4. Use all your available job searching resources
5. Be selective
6. Be confident
7. Excel at your current job
8. Network, network, network
9. Practice and prepare for interviews
10. Follow up and don’t give up

1. What job do you want?

Take some time to carefully answer this question before you begin your job search, especially if this is your first time looking for a job. Make a list of what you want in your new position and things you don't want. The more specific you are in your job search, the better, as it will save you time. Once you have the answer, start by setting smaller realistic goals to help you reach your ultimate goal. Make sure to search for positions you are passionate about that will help you progress professionally.

2. Make a plan

Going through all the available job listings is a full-time job; therefore, scheduling and planning is imperative. Block out a couple of hours a day for job searching or networking. You can even pick a specific day of the week to do this. Having a schedule will help you stay organised and up to date with any current job openings.   

We suggest setting up a professional email account to stay on top of all the vacancies you've applied for and ensure you never miss an important email. Register for job notifications on jobsinmalta.com to start receiving email updates on any new vacancies.
 

3. Update and Customise your CV

Make sure that your CV and cover letter are polished and up-to-date. We suggest moving away from the Europass template and opting for something more original to help you stand out from the crowd. There are many websites, such as Resume Giants or Zety, which you can use to create your CV.  You might want to ask a friend to proofread your resume, and you can even use websites like Grammarly to check your grammar.  Take the time to write targeted resumes and cover letters. Carefully go through the job description and add skills, experience and measurable achievements that are relevant to the role so that you are more likely to catch the attention of hiring managers. You will also be able to navigate applicant tracking systems since your CV will be full of keywords that match the industry and job description.  

If you need help building your resume, some recruitment agencies, such as Konnekt, offer this service for free. So don’t hold back and reach out!

4. Use all your available resources

Now is the time to use all your available sources. Sign up with job listing websites to receive daily job notifications by email. Reach out to companies that interest you, attend networking events and search for vacancies on social media. Signing up with a recruitment agency could be a great idea because they actively and regularly search for jobs on your behalf, which will help speed up the process. On jobsinmalta.com we advertise vacancies  from recruitment agencies, so you can connect with a recruitment agency through us! We can help you find a job for any industry that interests you, including investment jobs, processes jobs and software support jobs. 

Where you can look for job opportunities:

• Online job boards and company websites
• Recruitment Agencies
• Local newspapers
• Career fairs
• Word of mouth

Using all possible channels will help you find a job in any industry, including property, marketing, or mobile development roles. 

5. Be selective

Stay focused, and don't just apply to any job vacancy. Research the company well—get to know the company culture, benefits and work environment to determine whether it's the right choice for you. It also provides great information that you can use during your interview or in your cover letter. 

6. Give it a shot

If you don't meet one or two of the job requirements but know that you can quickly learn and succeed—apply! Employers will consider hiring talented and motivated individuals who are eager to learn. Include examples of your work ethic and ability to learn new skills in your resume and cover letter.

7. Excel at your current job

Be sure to continue to work at your current position with the same dedication and eagerness. Maintain good relationships with your colleagues and seniors, as you never know if you will ever get to work with them again.

8. Network, Network, Network

Networking is a great way to connect with different people in different industries. You can gain information about unadvertised vacancies and companies you've never heard of. 

Nowadays, many recruiters are using LinkedIn, so ensure your profile is up to date. Join discussion groups for industries you're interested in to stay up to date with any new job opportunities and to start building your social network. Due to the current situation, many career or job fairs have been postponed or cancelled, so make the most out of your online resources. 

If you know anyone from a company that you're interested in, ask if they have any openings. You might discover unlisted job opportunities, or they might even recommend you. Staff referral is a great way to get your foot in the door, as many employers prefer to hire someone who their trusted employees can vouch for.

9. Prepare for interviews

Be well-prepared and research the company extensively. Go through their website, services and products, blog, competitors, etc.  Consider researching some common interview questions and preparing responses for them. There's no need to know the answer to each question by heart, but ensure that you provide measurable examples of how you can apply your knowledge and skills to improve their business.  Some common interview questions are:

• What interests you about this role?
• Why do you want to work here? 
• What are your most significant weaknesses and strengths? 

Your prospective employer will most likely ask you if you have any questions at the end of the interview. Here are a couple of questions that you can ask:

• What does a typical day look like for a person in this position?
• What qualities do your most successful employees have?
• I've enjoyed learning more about this opportunity. What are the next steps in the hiring process?

These and other similar questions will be relevant for all industries, including SEO jobs, regulatory compliance jobs, or security jobs. 

Most open positions don’t disclose a salary bracket. Therefore, benchmark your salary if you are unsure what to ask. You can also ask a recruiter to guide you if you are working with an agency.

10. Follow up and don't give up

Consider sending everyone you interviewed a follow-up email after the interview to thank them for their time and take this opportunity to reiterate why you're the best fit for the role. If you don't get this job, don't let it knock you down. Take it as good practice because the more interviews you go to, your performance will improve. Continue to apply for positions that interest you, and improve your future applications with any feedback you receive. The right job for you is out there, and you will find it.

 

Continue your job search with us on jobsinmalta.com.