How to Find a Job That Fits Your Skills

When you are planning your career, you may want to find a job that fits your unique skills. In some cases, skill-based jobs are higher paying and more rewarding. To make sure you land a job that takes advantage of your experience and everything you can do, there are a few steps to follow. In this article, you will learn how to find a job that aligns with your skills.

How to find a job that fits your skills

Knowing how to find a job that fits your skills is understanding how to find work that’s fulfilling and rewarding. You can do this by pursuing a career in which you can use and develop your best skills.

You can follow these steps to find a job that fits your skills:

1. First, read job listings to narrow down your options

Before you can start finding the right job for your skills, you have to know where to look. Fortunately, finding job listings is easier than ever before. You can check job search engines like Indeed.com that allow you to filter your results based on a variety of factors such as desired salary, full- or part-time hours and location. It’s always a good idea to also filter your results to ensure you’re only seeing listings that are relevant to your unique skills. 

2. Second, use social media to establish your online presence

If you want to get noticed by potential employers, you’ll have to create a professional brand for yourself. That means creating a comprehensive profile on networking sites that shows off what you can offer as an employee. Recruiters will always be more receptive to your application when they already have a positive impression of you from your networking profile, and they will most certainly look first. 

3. Third, reach out and connect with your network

After creating a presence on networking sites, it’s time to take advantage of everything they have to offer. Connect with your friends, previous coworkers and employers, and college alumni. Even if they aren’t someone directly related to your field, they may know someone who is. Additionally, if you’re part of a professional association, they may be able to provide leads. For example, being a member of the National Association of Professional Receptionists can make it easier to connect with potential employers in that niche.

4. Fourth, choose companies you want to apply to

Before anyone starts a job search, they typically already have an idea of what kind of company they’d like to work for. Take note of any companies that fit your idea of a good workplace and make a list. You can treat these as your first picks and try to reach out to them directly. Even if they don’t have any current openings, most will let you sign up for alerts that will let you know when that changes. If you don’t know the kind of companies you’d like to work for, you’ll have to do a bit more research first. 

5. Fifth, write an effective resume and cover letter and customize them for each job you apply for

You know what skills you can offer, but the only way a potential employer can know that is by reading a targeted resume and cover letter. Not only should these documents include the skills you can offer, but they should describe how those skills are beneficial for the specific position you’re applying for. With your qualifications easily accessible for the hiring manager, you’ll be in a much better position to get hired.

6. Sixth, prepare for your interview

Before you go in for your interview, make sure you’re prepared. This will involve researching the company, finding the appropriate wardrobe and practicing your responses to common interview questions. While there’s no way to learn what the questions will be beforehand, there are resources available that can give you an idea of what some of the common questions might be. Additionally, be prepared to speak confidently while simultaneously highlighting your expertise in the area.

7. Seventh, follow up after your interview

Following up after an interview is a relatively small and simple step, but it’s certainly an important one. All you really have to do is thank the people involved for taking time out of their day to speak with you. As an additional way to stand out, you can phrase your appreciation in such a way that it reminds them of your qualifications and the value you could bring to the company. For example, you could specifically thank them for their time in addition to thanking them for allowing you the opportunity to show how your experience with scheduling software makes you a suitable fit for a receptionist position. 

8. Last, compare your job offers

When you finally receive a job offer, the process isn’t quite over. You still have to examine the particular offer you received to see if it’s the right fit. Even if it’s from one of your favored companies that you’ve highlighted from the beginning, there still must be an extensive examination of the actual offer itself. Just remember that acceptance and refusal aren’t the only options. You can also reply with a counteroffer if you’re looking for extra perks or a higher salary. Whichever route you take, ensure that you take a polite and professional approach that emphasizes the business and your value as a worker rather than anything personal.