10 Advanced Job Searching Hacks To Increase Your Job Prospects

Everyone finds themselves on a job search at some point in their lives. Whether you’re between jobs, or you’ve graduated and you’re setting out on the first step in your career path, this is something we will all experience at some point. Like death and taxes, it’s inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult as either of those things.

With so many people on the prowl, and competition becoming more heated by the day, you’re going to need every edge you can get. That’s why I’m here to show you 10 of the most advanced tactics and hacks that you can employ to improve your job prospects and jumpstart your career.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: A Prologue to Our List

Before we can begin to employ these tactics for job hunting, we must first address some major mistakes that many seasoned and rookie people make in their search. By becoming aware of these now, you put yourself in a better position to best utilized our hacks. So, be sure to avoid these specific mistakes:

• Don’t take the first offer you get, unless it perfectly matches your goals, aspirations, and interests. You don’t want to become stuck in a job that you hate. There’s always going to be multiple opportunities.


• Tailor your resume to each position you apply for. One resume does not fit all, you’ll need to find and highlight the most relevant skills and experience you have in regards to that position.


• Always do your research on the company or the organization you’re applying to. Going in with zero knowledge is a horrible idea because the question “why do you want to work here?” is going to come up in conversation at some point with your employer, and you should have an answer ready.


• Don’t forget the manners that you’re mom taught you. Remember to thank interviewers and prospective employers for their time, provide firm handshakes, and maintain eye contact during conversation. After an interview, always follow up with a thank you letter or a phone call as well.

Those are some bonus tips for you in your job search, and here’s another: look for a job application website that compiles articles about various companies. A website like this can provide you with valuable information about the company in a concise format that saves you from the trouble of hunting down the information yourself.

10 Hacks That Will Boost Your Job Prospects

1. Try to Limit Gaps in Your Employment History

One thing to avoid is making it look like you’ve been out-of-work for some time. Even if you’ve had a significant space in time since your last job, try to recall any other types of work you’ve been doing. Everything from volunteering to interning can be placed on your resume. You want to show that you’ve been pursuing work up until this point in some way, shape, or form.

2. Make your Resume a Rarity

Your resume shouldn’t be easier to find than the Sunday newspaper. Of course you want it to be public on your social networking sites like LinkedIn, but you don’t need to send it out in a mass email to potential employers. Provide you resume and cover letter, tailor-made to jobs that match your skills, otherwise you’re devaluing your candidacy by throwing out your resume like it’s free candy. Providing these documents in person is always a bonus as well, placing a face to the name and increasing your chances of being interviewed.

3. Keep your LinkedIn Updated

If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, make one now. This business networking website is an invaluable tool for job seekers. This virtual profile allows you to create a public version of your career path and skillset. You can upload your resume, showcase degrees, accomplishments, and publications, in addition to the ability to connect and network with other people in your industry. It is an invaluable tool and one that must be constantly updated.

4. Include Hyperlinks in Your Online Resume

This is a clever hack that can make your resume stand out. In addition to the usual stylistic and grammatical sweeps you’ll make on your resume, consider finding opportunities to insert hyperlinks into the document which take prospective employers to your social networking profiles like LinkedIn or your Twitter. If you have a blog, there’s another great resource. This will give your resume a level of depth that allows the employer to learn more about you.

5. Volunteer During your Search

If you’re having trouble finding the next big step in your career, seek out ways to volunteer in your community or at nonprofit organizations. Not only does this paint you in an altruistic light, but it also provides you will additional skills and information to place on your resume, in addition to networking opportunities.

6. Prepare Stories for your Interview

While your resume speaks to your experience and skills, it’s a very bland document overall. Before you go into an interview, try to come up with some fun and humorous stories that you can tell to prove a point or provide insight into your career path thus far.

7. Clean up your Social Network Profiles

Some people don’t think before they post something on Facebook, Twitter, or FourSquare, but these public profiles can spell disaster for you if they have embarrassing photos or questionable content on them. More than ever employers are looking at these profiles when considering a candidate, so think before you post, and clean up anything you wouldn’t want your potential boss to see.

8. Find a Wingman/Wingwoman

Usually this term is used for someone who helps you talk to women or men when you’re out on the town, but in business, this can be someone who keeps you grounded in reality and possibly someone you know at the company you wish to be hired at. Find someone who is willing to proofread your resume and cover letter, and help you run through mock interviews.

9. Take a Good Picture

People make a lot of decisions based on appearance. While employers won’t discriminate based on race, religion or sexual orientation, they can certainly turn you down if your picture makes you look like an angry or unkempt individual. When posting pictures on your LinkedIn, or anywhere else, keep them classy with headshots and warm smiles to make you look approachable and friendly.

10. Dress to Impress

It’s always important to research the company before you apply, but it’s also important to understand their culture. It’s always smart to go in with a formal outfit, but don’t go full suit and tie unless that’s the company’s dress code. It is possible to be overdressed to the point where you don’t fit in, so keep things formal, but base your outfit on the company’s desired culture and dress code.

There you have it job seekers. These hacks will greatly increase your prospects and my bonus tips should help you avoid those common mistakes in the process. Thanks as always for reading and best of luck to you in your careers!

10 Advanced Job Searching Hacks To Increase Your Job Prospects