Top 5 Tips for Finding a Job You Will Love

Top 5 Tips for Finding a Job You Will LoveTop 5 Tips for Finding a Job You Will LoveLooking for a job can be a bit like dating. It can be easy to go online and find a match for a first date, but what happens after that is what matters the most. Will that first date (or first interview) turn into a long-term relationship? Or is it going to be a bust? Job searching can be hard work. Its not just a question of finding a job any job. Its important to find the right job, a job that is an excellent fit for you now and for the future, either as a stepping stone for your career or as an opportunity youll be comfortable with for the long haul. If its the wrong job, youll end up having to start a job search all over again if the position doesnt work out. Besides it being stressful, youll need to avoid being considered a job hopper when writing your resume. Because job searching is time-consuming, as well as hard work and because it can be even harder when a job doesnt work out and you end up quitting or getting fired, its best to spend your time trying to get it right from the time you start job hunting. Here are five tips to help you find a job youll love. 1. Make a Match Before you start your job search, spend time making sure youre looking for the right job. If youre not certain about what you want to do, take a career quiz or two to generate some ideas. If need be, get career coaching or counseling to help get you on the right track. Use the job search engines to search for jobs that are a match for your skills, experience, and interests. 2. Get the Inside Scoop Dont just apply for the job. Take it a step further. Use your connections on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google and other networking sites to discover whom you know at the company. Ask them for insight and information on the company, in general, as well as about the job. Your contacts may also be able to provide you with a referral for the position. Check out the companys LinkedIn page and social me dia profiles to gather information. 3. Interviewing Works Both Ways Its just as valuable for you to interview the company as it is for them to interview you. Be prepared to answer interview questions and have a list of interview questions of your own ready to ask. If youre not 100% sure about a job offer and you havent met the team youll be working with, ask if you can meet your future boss and colleagues. Its also perfectly fine to ask for time to consider a job offer if you need to think it over. 4. Check out the Company Culture The job may sound terrific, but do you want to work for the company? Is the company culture a fit for you at this stage of your career? Is it too formal or too casual? How is the organization structured? Are there opportunities there for advancement? Spend some time reading what employees have to say about the company on Glassdoor.com. If youre a college graduate, ask your career office if they have an alumni network you can connect with. Go back to your LinkedIn connections with follow-up questions. Heres how to use your contacts when youre job searching. 5 Make Sure the Job Is a Good Fit In addition to making sure that you want to work for the company, carefully evaluate the job offer. Do you truly want this job? Will you be happy doing it? Will it boost your career? Will it give you the flexibility or work/life balance you need? Is the salary what you expected? If not, is negotiating a higher salary an option? Are the employee benefits sufficient for your needs? How about the work schedule, the hours, and the travel, if required? If theres anything about the job or the compensation package that is making you think twice, the time to act is before you accept the offer. Of course, not all jobs work out perfectly even if you do all the right things. However, youll have a better chance of making a suitable match if youre careful about every step of the job search process and you take the time to do due diligence before y ou say yes to the hiring manager.