Searching for a job can be a challenging process. It can be overwhelming and stressful, especially if you don't know where to start. Read on for Sable Consulting Groups’ quick start guide to any job search, at any level. Curated from decades of experience!

1.Get ready to write. 

Dont worry - not a novel. But we recommend starting by getting as clear as possible in several areas:

• Your timeline. Get clear on when you’d like to start working. After Christmas? After your next bonus? Your timeline will dictate your job search, interviews, and offers so it’s crucial you decide on this early.
• Salary/compensation expectations. 
• Job attributes, such as location, title, type of company, size of company, product area or service, benefits, etc. How far are you willing to travel every day, or not? Have you had a horrible experience with very large corporations and want to explore a start up? Have you always dreamed of moving across the country? Write it down! 
• What kind of Management style works best for you? (You will probably be asked this question in an interview too!)
  

2. Assess your top skills, interests, and values

What do you do well, what do you love doing, and where do you fall short? 

    3. Create a resume, or bring yours up to date

• Craft a compelling resume that highlights your skills and achievements. You can start by just updating your most recent role, then worry about fine tuning later when you decide on the roles you’ll be applying for.
• Customize your resume for each job application and utilize keywords that match the job description.
• Need help starting? Get our free resume template here.

  4. Update your LinkedIn profile, or create one if you don’t have one yet

• Linkedin is by far the MOST impactful (free) tool you can use to get ahead in your job search. 
• Want to learn more about how to fully optimize your LinkedIn profile so Recruiters can find YOU? Check out our LinkedIn Optimization service here.

    5. Network with friends, family, and colleagues to find job leads or get referrals

• You have a >30% higher likelihood of being interviewed and subsequently hired if you were introduced directly to HR or a hiring manager by a current employee!
• The best and easiest way to do this is to start telling your network that you’re open to new opportunities, whether casually or intentionally in conversation or via Linkedin. 
• Most companies offer referral bonuses, so employees have a strong incentive to introduce people to job openings.

    6. Attend job fairs and career networking events related to your geographic location and/or industry

• Some professional organizations and state/city agencies will sometimes even have funds to cover the cost to attend.

    7. Sign up for job alerts on job search websites, such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster, etc.

• Let these powerful job search sites do the heavy lifting for you.

    8. Join relevant professional organizations to expand your network

Many of these organizations will also have job fairs, networking events, and job postings!

 10. Follow companies on social media to stay up-to-date on job openings

• Use LinkedIn to follow companies, interact with their content, and get alerted to job postings. You can also check their websites.
  
  

 11. Practice your interview skills

• Be aware that most interview questions, especially for higher level roles, will be Behavioral based. 
• Get comfortable with the STAR interview method, many corporations utilize it. 
• Physically write out your responses, then work on making the responses more concise and relevant depending on your interviews. 
• Work on your ‘elevator pitch,’ that is, the infamous answer to the question, “Tell me about yourself.” 

  12. Consider working with a staffing agencies to find job openings - let someone else do the work for you! 

• Staffing agencies work across most industries but are especially common in Tech, IT, Healthcare, Biopharma, G&A, Manufacturing, Engineering, Government, Legal, Marketing, and Digital/cloud services. 
• Most agencies will have opportunities that are contract and direct hire. 
• Agencies referred to as Executive Search Firms will primarily work with candidates who are Director level or above, across most industries. 
• Agencies are hired by a company to conduct a search, and get paid by the company when/if one of the candidates is then hired. You should never pay a recruiting firm! 

  13. Start applying - but stay organized

• Don’t forget to keep a list of the company and roles applied for - this will help you keep organized and on track.
• You can utilize Excel or Sheets or even an AI tool such as Teal

        Why we love Teal:

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Check out our favorite journal for all your career goal-setting needs! This one is Leather, is spiral-bound and is even lined and comes in multiple colors!