Five things to do instead of applying to jobs online

It can be difficult to build a network of mentors and colleagues online, and can seem impersonal at times. Inviting someone in your network to meet up for coffee is a great way to meet them in person, and learn more about their field. Try to keep this conversation educational: ask them about their company, their field, what kinds of job opportunities there are, who succeeds there, and more. You never know who you might click with and what opportunities they may have influence over. Referrals are a great way to get interviews for job opportunities.

You can find events to attend through LinkedIn groups, Alumni groups of your college or high school, and sites like Eventbrite. These can be a great way to connect with new people in the same industry as you. Going to these events can not only help you practice your networking skills, but also help you meet new colleagues that can assist you in securing your next job.

Even if you’re not in a creative field, it’s important to build your personal brand for recruiters to find and reach out to you. When creating your personal brand, think about what you want a recruiter to know about you if they saw your Linkedin profile. Make sure to highlight your strengths, your passions, and your leadership qualities.

Unfortunately, your social media presence can either gain or cost you a job opportunity. A job search or unemployment period is a great time to go through your social media accounts and make sure that they represent your current thoughts and values.

You can always use tools like Chat GPT to help you enhance your resume by using a prompt to tailor your resume and enhance the exact skills a job posting is looking for. For example, you can use the prompt “Using my resume and job description provided, please tailor the skills and experiences section to this job position”. Making sure your resume is readable for a computer screening system is crucial to set yourself up for success if you are applying to jobs online.