How to Find A Good Job in 2024
I cannot count how often I have heard job seekers say that finding a job is more challenging now than ever. And to that, I say you are 100% right! This article will be a critical guide if you want to find a quality job in the least amount of time possible!
I started looking for jobs with a well-built resume and a college degree under my belt around the beginning of May. After filling out over 100 applications, I finally landed a job that has made me incredibly happy! Along the way, I learned what interview questions to ask, how a speaking strategy plays a huge role, which job hiring platforms worked best for me, and what to look for in company descriptions. Today, you can learn from my trial and error and get the job you deserve in as little time as possible.
Key Interview Questions
Before going into an interview, a list of good interview questions must be made. Not only will this help you get more information on a possible employer, but it will also show the company that you are serious about the interview being held. My go-to questions to ask any company are the following:
"What does your employee benefits package look like?" (You want to make sure it includes necessities such as health insurance, PTO, 401k, and sick leave.)
"What is the culture like in the office?" (usually, you can tell if an employer has a good company culture when they rave about it. It may signify a neutral or poor work environment if they do not know what to say or only speak two words about the topic.)
"I have aspirations of x,y, and z. Can this company help me get there?" (Make sure the company you choose to work for will get you to where you want to be in the future!)
"What are the expectations of my role? Is there any weekend or on-call work?" (Make sure you know what you are getting yourself into!)
Form your Speaking Strategy
It is essential to have a speaking strategy when talking with possible future employers, especially if you are not a great talker to begin with. Think about what you are going to say to make yourself stand out, how you will respond when the offer is a yes or a no, and how you are going to negotiate when the time comes. You can stand your ground by having a strategy to speak about these topics, even when you are caught off guard!
The way I speak may be different than how you would like to talk, however, I can confidently say I do not miss a beat with these prompts:
Something has to be different about you; this is how I verbalize my assets: I explain my strengths in knowledge and my passions. The mix of these two characteristics provides both emotional and intellectual strength, which looks good to employers these days.
Ex. "My knowledge lies in (blank), and my passion lies in (blank), making me a well-rounded individual for (blank) opportunity."
When you are offered a position, you may be ecstatic to accept! When communicating a "yes" to the employer, make sure you sound professional, grateful, and confident.
Ex. "Thank you very much for calling me back! I connected with the company's values and can see myself working here. Could you send me the offer letter through email so I can look it over?"
When getting the offer letter, make sure you read everything in detail. If something seems off, such as a duty you were unaware of or the pay may be a little too low, speak up!
Sometimes, you are given an offer that you do not want. However, it is still important to communicate professionally and gratefully. This company could have you in their system as a potential candidate for a different position, so it is important to keep a positive ground.
Ex. "Thank you for getting back to me! At this time, I am looking for a job that has (blank), and because of this, I am unsure this role would be the best fit for me. I wish you the best of luck finding the right hire. Please let me know if (blank) changes, and I will happily reconsider."
When negotiating a deal, you must remain calm, respectful, and grounded. Do not beg, and do not settle.
Ex. "Thank you for showing me the ropes of this role. This position seems like a great opportunity! I would like to talk more about (blank). Currently, my expectation for (blank) is (x,y,z). These benefits fuel me to do my best at my job and provide the company with the best project outcomes. Could we explore these further?"
My Favorite Job Seeking Platforms
I have found that LinkedIn and Indeed tend to be the best platforms for job hunting. LinkedIn clarified what was out there and what title I should be searching for on other platforms. It also gave me the most results for up-to-date job postings and an outlet to talk with the company directly about positions.
Indeed was quicker in responding and setting up interviews; however, the search engine is less detailed than LinkedIn. If I searched for a certain title or profession, a million things, old and new, would pop up.
The job I currently have was found on Indeed, and almost every job I have landed has been through a personal network connection or Indeed.
What to Avoid and Look for in A Company Job Posting
I avoid job descriptions that say:
"overtime is expected"
"other duties assigned"
"expected to go the extra mile"
"self-starter"
Along with looking out for the jargon above, research the company you are applying to. The biggest mistake people make is feeling good in the interview only to find that the company does not care about their employees.
On the other hand, I look for job descriptions that say:
a clear lineup of what the expectations are
"company values include employee wellness"
details about compensation
insight into company culture
You must click and get along with the company to have a healthy work-life. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.
When searching for a job, it is critical that you do not give up! Job searching can take a lot of time, however, if you use these tools, you can narrow down exactly what to look for. Chip away at the chore every day, and you will find something. Rome was not built in a day :)
