Your Checklist for Job Search Success

Whether you’re new to the workforce or looking to make your next big career move, no one particularly loves looking for a job. Searching, applying, interviewing—whew! Job hunting is exhausting.

You don’t need a survey to tell you that, but CareerBuilder did one anyway. They questioned 4,506 full time employees who agreed that finding a job is “highly stressful.” Of those, 43% said that finding a job is more stressful than a blind date, waiting for results from the doctor (20%), or buying a house (19%).

You know job searching is stressful, we know it’s stressful. That’s why we put together a handy downloadable checklist to make sure you maximize your time, from planning and getting organized to interview prep and evaluating the offers as they come in.  

1. Make a plan

• Make a list of top three ideal jobs or industries. What do you see yourself doing? What does your ideal work environment look like? Who are your top employers?
• Decide your preferred and minimum salary requirements. Research what the going pay rate is in Hawaii for someone with your experience and skill level.
• Determine your schedule flexibility. Your availability will determine the types of opportunities you’ll be fit for.

2. Get organized

• Create or update your resume. Add recent experience and only keep information that’s relevant to the specific jobs you apply to.
• Compile a list of references. Get an idea of who will give you a good job reference. Most employers ask for a mix of professional and personal references.
• Clean up your social media profiles. Don’t let last week’s party pictures be an employer’s first impression of you. Set unprofessional profiles and content to private.

3. Apply for jobs

• Set a schedule. Commit to submitting a set number of new applications every week.
• Keep track of applications. Document date applied, company name, contact, follow-up dates, and application status.
• Set up job alerts. Most online job sites will notify you when a job that matches your criteria becomes available.
• Register with a staffing company. With ALTRES Staffing, one interview gives you access to hundreds of jobs not advertised anywhere else. Browse our job listings today. 

4. Network, network, network

• Tell family and friends you’re job hunting. Sometimes landing a job comes down who you know.
• Tap into your alumni network. Your former high school or college alma mater may have career services specifically for alumni.
• Join professional industry organizations. Meet others in your field who may know of a job opening at their company.

5. Prepare for interviews

• Research the company. Visit their website and social media to learn about their mission, products/services, company culture, and other relevant information.
• Practice your responses. Prepare answers to common interview questions, including behavioral questions.
• Prepare questions for the interviewer. Ask questions to assess whether the company and job is a good fit for you.
• Pick an interview-ready outfit. Keep the culture of the company in mind. If you’re unsure of the dress code, call the company and ask.
• Send a post-interview thank you note. Send a thank you note to the interviewer via email, preferably on the same day.

6. Evaluate job offers

• Ask yourself tough questions. Will you be proud to work for this company? Will you enjoy the work? Does the position support your career goals and lifestyle?
• Consider the total package. Look beyond salary. Consider everything from benefits and work-life balance to career advancement and work environment.
• Make a decision. It’s okay to decline an offer if the position is not right for you. Just follow-up with the hiring manager in a timely manner.

Happy job hunting!