20+ job search tips to land your next role

Looking for a job these days is hard. How do you stand out from the crowd? How do you know which jobs to invest time and energy applying for —and which will be a dead end?

Adopting the right strategies will make it easier for you to land your dream job. In this article we’ll cover 20+ job search tips that will help you get hired faster.

From using AI to craft the perfect resume and cover letter, to unlocking off-market roles, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started.

1. Craft an effective resume

Your resume is your opportunity to make a great first impression on potential employers. It’s a snapshot of your qualifications, experiences, and skills. But what makes a resume stand out?

To craft an effective resume, you need attention to detail and clear, concise storytelling.

2. Highlight relevant skills

To create a standout resume, you need to highlight your skills and show how they are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Employers are looking for candidates who meet the requirements of the role —and they often will only spend seconds reviewing a resume. If your resume doesn’t show your relevant skills right away, hirers will simply pass over your application.

3. Tailor your resume based on the job description

One common mistake job seekers make is sending out the same generic resume for multiple job applications. While it may save time, this ‘spray and pray’ approach makes it impossible for your application to stand out. To increase your chances of being shortlisted, it is crucial to tailor your resume to each specific job you apply for.

For a resume to hold an employer’s attention, it needs to be specific and tailored to the job title at hand. Take the time to carefully review the job description and identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Showcase them prominently in your resume. Consider creating a separate section dedicated to highlighting your skills against the requirements for the role.

4. Showcase your achievements

Your resume should also showcase your achievements. This is an opportunity to provide specific examples of your past accomplishments that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

By highlighting your achievements, you can demonstrate the impact you had in previous roles and how your skills and experiences make you perfect for the job.

5. Be specific and provide examples

When discussing your achievements, it is important to be specific and provide concrete evidence of your success. Use metrics and numbers to show off your accomplishments wherever possible.

This not only adds credibility to your claims but also helps the hiring manager understand the value you can bring to their organisation.

6. Master the art of the cover letter

There’s a bit of debate about whether cover letters are necessary. We get it: they’re time-consuming, take a lot of effort, and there’s no guarantee anyone will read them. But writing a cover letter is (unfortunately) still an essential part of the job application process.

A cover letter allows you to showcase your personality and express your interest in the position. It’s your chance to make a strong first impression and convince the hiring manager that you’re the perfect fit for the job.

7. Make sure your cover letter is aligned to the business

Thoroughly research the company and understand their values, goals, and the specific skills and attributes they seek in a candidate. This will help you customise your letter accordingly.

When tailoring your letter, make sure to emphasise the skills and achievements that are most applicable to the job at hand. Try to adjust your language to fit the company’s tone.

8. Write a persuasive introduction

A persuasive introduction is crucial to capture an employer’s attention. It sets the tone for the rest of your letter and can make a significant difference in whether your application stands out from the competition.

When crafting your introduction, highlight your motivations for applying and explain why you are passionate about the opportunity. By showing genuine interest and enthusiasm, you can make a memorable impression on the hiring manager.

9: Watch your tone

One of the easiest but most impactful ways to improve your cover letter is to make sure you’re writing in clear, concise language. Don’t go overboard with hyperbole, flattery or formal language —it’ll sound like you’re writing from a thesaurus. Write like you would speak, keep sentences short, and be direct without being informal.

10. Broaden your search beyond job boards

Job boards have been the most popular way to find jobs in the last 20 years. But did you know as many as 80% of all roles are filled outside of job boards? These are filled through the hidden job market, which sounds exclusive but is really just a way for employers to avoid advertising costs and hire people within their personal networks.

If you want the best chance of finding jobs, you should broaden your search beyond job boards. Think about expanding your professional network, reaching out to employers you’d like to work for directly, and asking friends and family for referrals at their workplaces.

11. Use social media for job hunting

Cat videos, travel tips, niche neopets memes —social media has given us so much. It can also give you your next job opportunity. Many companies and recruiters share job openings on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Meta has great industry-specific groups of like-minded professionals you can join.

Just remember: if you’re going to apply for a job via socials, try to maintain an online presence you wouldn’t be embarrassed for a potential employer to see. That means leaving those 21st birthday photos on Myspace, where they belong.

12. Build professional relationships

Networking is a great way to speed up the job search process. Businesses like to hire people they already know, and 85% of all jobs are filled through networking of some sort. 

Attend industry events, conferences, and career fairs to connect with people working in your field. Build meaningful relationships by engaging in conversations, exchanging contact information, and following up with personalised messages. These connections can provide valuable insights, referrals, and job opportunities over your entire career.

💡 Swag Tip: Is networking not your thing? Swag SmartMatch uses AI to connect you to top roles that match your skills, experience and interests. Your profile gets shown to great companies hiring in your industry, and you get a curated list of top job recommendations. Just set up a profile in less than 5 minutes to get started. 

13. Don’t be afraid to follow up

So you’ve spent all this time and effort building your network. Don’t let those connections go to waste! While the meeting is still fresh, send people a personal follow-up.

It doesn’t have to be elaborate – try something short and sweet, like:

“It was great meeting you at [X event], I’m a [detail about your skillset] interested in pursuing a career in [job title or field of expertise]. I’d love to stay in touch!”

Hit up your network to learn about new job openings, get valuable career advice, and widen your perspective on your industry. Remember that like you, they’re industry professionals, so have a chat — and don’t be too shy to say you’re looking for a new job.

14. Join professional associations

Consider joining professional associations related to your industry. These organisations often provide networking opportunities, job boards, and access to industry-specific resources.

15. Do your research before your interview

Research the companies you’re interviewing with; look up your interview panel and hiring managers on LinkedIn and check out some of the work that the team has been producing.

Dress professionally, make sure you can troubleshoot anything that could go wrong, and demonstrate active listening and engagement during the interview process.

16. Test your virtual interview setup

You never get a second chance at a first impression, virtual or IRL!

You don’t want to be held up for your meeting by a software update, or risk looking unprofessional with a background that’s too casual. Take the time to log on a bit early, test your microphone and pop on a digital background if necessary.

17. Think of questions for your interviewer

The best way to stand out from other candidates? Do your research and ask good questions. The internet has made company information more accessible than ever, so showing up to your interview unprepared is a big mistake.

Believe it or not, the questions that you ask your interviewer are just as important as the questions that they ask you!

Check out the company’s website, read Glassdoor reviews, and stalk their social media pages. Know the company inside out, from its culture and values to any recent company wins.

Asking insightful questions can also make you appear confident and curious about learning more, so don’t be afraid to take this essential time at the end of your meeting.

18. Practise your answers to common interview questions

Anticipate common interview questions, and practise your responses. Prepare examples that showcase your skills and accomplishments.

19. Take a moment to breathe before your interview

Even seasoned professionals get nervous before job interviews! In the final moments before you join the meeting or call, take a second to breathe and centre yourself.

It can also help to be conscious of your body language prior to an interview. Check out this classic Ted Talk from social psychologist Amy Cuddy to learn how tweaking your body language can transform your confidence.

20. Seek feedback and learn from rejections

So you weren’t successful in your latest interview – it’s ok! Failure is inevitable in every job search. Even though being knocked back absolutely sucks, no application or job interview is ever a waste; it’s all a learning opportunity.

If you’ve made it to the interview stage of an opportunity, it’s absolutely normal to seek feedback. Send a short message and be specific with what you want to know – ask for details about why you weren’t the right fit this time and if there’s anything that can give you a competitive edge in the future.

21. Stay in touch with recruiters and talent managers

When you’re asking for feedback it’s also well worth letting the recruiter or talent manager know that you’re still interested in pursuing opportunities with the company in the future.

There may be an official talent pool with the business that you can join, or the talent manager may be able to keep you in mind for other opportunities that are more suited to you. Ask if you are able to reach out in the future if you see a role that may be a good fit for you, then turn on a LinkedIn job alert to make sure you don’t miss any roles that may pop up.

22. Stay positive!

The old cliche of ‘nothing worth having ever comes easy’ is especially true when it comes to job hunting.

Keep a positive attitude, keep seeking feedback and keep in touch with everyone you meet along the way. Your dream job is out there for you, we know it!

Good luck with your search. Before you get stuck in, why not check how much you could be getting paid in a new role with our salary benchmarking tool? It always helps to go into an interview with the market value of your skills to hand.