Top Tips for Finding a New Job in 2018

Are you interested in finding a new job in 2018? Are you finally ready to land the kind of job that will keep you motivated and satisfied long-term? Do you need some help starting your search?

There are people out there who are happy with their job. They’ll do whatever it takes to remain employed with their current company, as they truly enjoy their work. Conversely, there are millions of people who would rather be home watching People You May Know or the latest Netflix series than doing something meaningful at work.

If you’re one of those people who just can’t wait to find a new job in 2018, there’s no better time than now to take the first step in turning your dream into reality. It’s not always easy to find your dream job, but you’ll never know what’s out there until you dive headfirst into the employment market.

Here are some top tips for job-hunters in the new year:

  1. Keep an Open Mind

Get this: in June 2017, CNN reported that there were six million job openings in the United States. With so many jobs to choose from, you should be able to find something that gets you excited, but you have to keep an open mind during your search.

For example, you may be interested in landing a position as a social media manager, which would make you responsible for things like a company’s Facebook advertising strategy, social media data analytics, and communicating with your target market online. If you can’t find an open position that sounds exactly like what you’re looking for, keep an open mind and consider taking on a different, but related role. Maybe you work in a marketing capacity for a business, but don’t directly manage their social media, or maybe you work for a marketing agency working on social media instead of being hired by a private organization outright. Over time, you can work your way into the position you really want.

  1. Use Your Network

There used to be a time when the best way to find a job was to search online or sift through your local newspaper. While these ideas can still work, you don’t want to stop there. You need to work your network if you want to land your dream job.

The Muse shares a few high-level tips for leveraging your network (without feeling like you’re taking advantage of anyone) during your job search, but your ultimate goal is simple: talk to as many people as possible about your current employment situation and career-related goals. A solid recommendation from someone in your network will go a lot further than sending dozens of resumes when it comes to landing a quality position.

  1. Don’t Aim Too High

There is nothing wrong with wanting to land your dream job, but you also need to be realistic. If you only have two years of marketing experience, you can’t expect to land a job as a Chief Marketing Officer, and it doesn’t matter how incredible your ROI or data analytics may look.

When you aim too high, you not only set yourself up for disappointment, but you could potentially miss out on opportunities that would have been perfect for you. Not only is it true that the best jobs don’t always pay the highest salaries, it’s also true that the best positions don’t always have the flashiest titles. In fact, Salary.com notes that “entry level” jobs can pay anywhere from $30 to $100k or more, so don’t miss out on a golden opportunity over what’s on your nameplate.

  1. Consider Working at Home

More people than ever are searching for flexibility with their career, and many are finding it with work-from-home jobs. According to The New York Times, roughly 43 percent of employed Americans spent at least some time working at home last year.

These jobs may be a bit more difficult to come by, but they’re out there. If flexibility is important to you, this is the opportunity you’re looking for.

Just Get Started

Finding a new job isn’t the same as buying the best tactical flashlight; you can’t just read the reviews and place your order. Even so, you can’t let fear of the unknown stand in your way. You need to take the leap as soon as possible, knowing the first step is often the most difficult to take.

These are just a few of the steps you can take if you want to find a new job in 2018. It may take you some time to reach your goal, but your persistence will pay off in a new paycheck.

When was the last time you navigated the job search process? Share your job search tips in the comment section below.