Youre Single and Ready to Mingle...on the Job Market

Youre Single and Ready to Mingle...on the Job MarketYoure Single and Ready to Mingle...on the Job MarketYoure Single and Ready to Mingle...on the Job MarketLooking for that perfect (job) match?You look around and see that other people have what you want. Sure, its not perfect, but at least they have something. Its that feeling of being a part of something. You want to feel wanted like that again.What you need is a job.Being out of work and starting the job-search process is a lot like being single - the awkward pauses when people ask what youre up to, the memories of jobs past, and friends who try to make you feel better with Youre lucky. I wish I could stay in my pjs all day.Enough is enough. Its almost Valentines Day, and that perfect job is out there. Here are six steps for your job search that will help you find love in the job market.Step 1 Go in with the right mindsetIve purged myself of bitterness and anger and remained open to love. - Tatum ONealOkay, its a bit intense, but t he sentiment rings true If youre looking for love, you need to be willing to put yourself out there. The same applies for your job search process. Dont feel sorry for yourself and make excuses. Go to networking events. JoinLinkedIn and other great social networking sites. Take a class in your field to brush up on your skills.Then, start applying to jobs. Create a dynamite titelblatt letter, polish up your resume, and tweak both of those along the way to better fit each specific job. If you havent looked at your resume in a long time, it may be wise to get a little help getting it back in shape.Step 2 Dont dwell on the pastIt is not possible to go forward while looking back. - Ludwig Mies van der RoheMaybe your last job cut you loose and broke your heart. Perhaps you were the one to leave. Either way, whats done is done and the past is the past. Dont waste time and energy thinking about your last job, whether it was a waste of your time or the one that got away. Chalk it up as experi ence and prepare yourself to move forward.This is especially important as you start your job-search process and begin to interview. Bad mouthing your last job or boss tends makes you (not him or her) look bad. On the flip side, telling a prospective employer how much you loved that job and wish you still had it is kind of like talking too fondly about your ex on a first date. Keep your past in mind, but show more interest in your future.Step 3 Make sure you look goodLook your best - who said love is blind? Mae WestYou wouldnt show up for a first date looking like a slob, and the same goes for the way you come off when searching for a job. That means polishing your online presence. Here are a few things to considerLinkedIn is a key resource for employers. Make sure that your profile is accurate, complete, and makes you look great.Facebook is easy to neglect. Dont let pictures or rants that may have seemed funny at the time tarnish your professional image. The same goes for Twitter a nd Instagram.Google yourself. What kind of links pop up? If you dont like what youre seeing, you may need to do some cleanup.If you think that employers arent going to look at your social media presence, youre fooling yourself. Its a simple way for them to get a peek behind the curtain and see who you are when youre not trying to impress someone for a job. Keep it up to date and professional.RelatedHow to Take Advantage of Social Media During Your Job SearchStep 4 Know what youre looking forIf you dont know what you want, you end up with a lot you dont. Chuck PalahniukOne of the simplest job-search tips is that you need to understand what kind of job you want. Think about the jobs youve had in the past. What did you like? What drove you nuts?Are you looking for something like your last job? If so, use your cover letter and resume to highlight your success in that position. Put emphasis on results, not tasks.Perhaps youre ready to branch out. If so, your cover letter and resume shou ld focus on why youre capable of taking on a role that may not be represented in your work history. Pay close attention to your skills section and emphasize times you may have worked across departments to gain experience.Next, think about the other things that matter to you. Job location, company size, and pay all matter. Once youve narrowed the field, youll have a better chance of finding that perfect match.RelatedHow to Build a List of Target Companies for Your Job SearchStep 5 Dont settle for less than the bestThere is no passion to be found playing small in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. Nelson MandelaYouve zeroed in on the type of job you really want, but you also see some others out there that may be fine.Say it with me I dont want fineIf youre out of work, its hard to resist the low hanging fruit. At least its a job, right? If youre in dire straits financially, do what you have to do. But if you can hang in there a little longer, it s worth it in the end.Set your sights high. Apply for that dream job (or a few of them). Dont sell yourself short and take something that is going to lead to future unhappiness. Just like the dating scene dont settle.Step 6 Give a little, take a littleRelationships have to have a give and take if theyre going to work in the long term. ShakiraEven once youve made it through those awkward first dates called interviews and landed the job, its not time to kick back. Your new job is a new relationship. It takes work from both sides in order to succeed. One guarantee is that if you dont put in your best effort, you wont get the return that you really want. If you want to love your job, show your job the love.If this Valentines Day has you bemoaning the fact that youre not in a committed relationship with employment, its time to do something about it. Start working on what you need to do to put yourself back out there. It can be intimidating to start the job-search process over again, bu t you can do it.Everyone wants to feel wanted, and finding the right job can make you feel like youve found the perfect partnership.Click on the following link for more job-search tips.Will your resume land you your dream job? Request a free resume critique to find out.Recommended Reading10 Parallels Between the Job Search and DatingOfficeHours How to Get a Stalled Job Search Back on TrackHow to Search for a Job While Employed vs. Unemployed