In the past, I have had trouble with unemployment and underemployment due to health issues and being on a military base in a city with limited opportunities.

With a degree in Psychology and a patchy job history, I’ve learned a few things over the years on what it takes to successfully land a job.

Have a goal in mind

Look at your past experience, skills, and interests to tailor your job search to find something you might be a fit for. If you’re using sites like Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs or Monster.com to search for jobs – you can search for your specific interests and skills to narrow your search.

I did this during my job search to help avoid having to always filter through jobs I had absolutely no interest in doing.

Use your network

You can use your network to aid in your job search as well. Someone you know may be working in a company or industry that you’re interested in and they might have valuable insight.

Family members, friends, co-workers, etc. Reach out to them and see if you can pick their brains.

LinkedIn is also a great way to grow your network and connect with people. You can also look into professional networking groups & events in your area.

Start applying ASAP!

I set email alerts on various sites so that I could be notified of new job postings that fit my career interests. You should try to apply to positions as early as possible. When a job description pops up that you’re interested in – don’t hesitate!

Depending on your location, you’ll be competing with hundreds of people for positions so you’ll want to send in your application as soon as possible to increase your chances of getting seen.

Tailor your resume

Please, for the love of all things wonderful, do not use the SAME resume for every position you apply to. Hiring managers can definitely tell when a resume is generic and not specific to the position.

Here’s a tip: Open the job description and tailor your resume to match the skills and strengths they’re looking for. Try to use some of the keywords they use as well.

I did this during my job search after I quit my job last year and I received an interview from each company I applied to!

Also, rename your resumes in a way that says what company it was meant for (Dannie_CoolCompany_Resume.doc). This will help later on if you find a company with a similar job description because you can make minor changes to tailor it for the next application instead of completely recreating the wheel. Just make sure that you save that doc file as a pdf with a simple name like (First Last_Resume.pdf), don’t include the company name when uploading to their site.

Track your application

I love spreadsheets, so I created one that has tracked every job I’ve applied to over the years. I suggest you do the same for a few reasons:

• You can keep track of the companies/positions you’ve already applied to so you don’t forget later on.
• Whenever you complete an interview you can update where you are in the process and record the feedback you received.
• If you’re rejected, you can document that and keep it moving.

Use temp/staffing agencies

After applying to jobs off and on for YEARS, I decided to reach out to employment agencies. It was the best career decision I’ve ever made. I went from working intermittently at odd jobs and as a substitute teacher to getting interviews with some of the biggest companies in the Bay Area. I did have to widen my job interests (and embellish some of my past experiences 🤷🏽‍♀️) but at least I had the opportunity to interview and ultimately land my first full-time, salaried job.

The great thing about employment agencies is that they have access to jobs that would never be released publicly. Many agencies also offer free training and resources to help you with your job search. The best part is that these folks are working for you and (although you should keep searching on your own too).

Since agencies vary by region, I can’t really suggest the “best” one to contact but I have worked with Office Team, Robert Half and Kelly Services. Just do your own research for your area and make sure to check the reviews before you decide on what company to reach out to.

Use multiple online job sites

Indeed, LinkedIn, EdJoin, HigherEdJobs, USAJOBS, Craigslist (use at your own risk but this is how I found my temp agencies). For my recent job search, after quitting my job, I used FlexJobs.com to find a 100% remote position that I can keep as DJ’s military career changes.

Make sure you read my post about finding flexible/remote jobs and my post about how I maximized my FlexJobs subscription.

Always negotiate!

Whether you’re negotiating a starting salary or asking for a promotion, knowing your worth on the job market can make ALL the difference in what you get paid each year.

I know it’s hard to ask for more money, especially when it took so much to even get the job – BUT you have to! Make sure to consider ALL of the benefits! For example, my job gives me new computer equipment, $500 to decorate, $100 a month for going out, $50 a month for working out, stock options and more. I had to take all of this into consideration when analyzing my offer against what the market states as the norm.

How to accurately assess your market value:

• Match your job responsibilities and not just your job title.
• Assess employer factors like location, company size, and industry.
• Evaluate your relevant skills, education, professional experience and past performance.
• Use sites like Salary.com, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Payscale to get started.
• If you can, discuss compensation trends with friends and coworkers as well.

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That’s all folks. Try to be patient during your job search and make sure to take breaks away from job sites and resume writing. If after a few months you see that you aren’t being contacted for the roles you are applying to, take a step back, reassess your strategy and start over fresh.

I never knew my experience as a SUPER part-time substitute teacher and actor would lead me to corporate training, but taking a step back helped me think outside of the box a land a great new job.

Good luck with your search!

$tay Wealthy Friends!