How to Start the Job Search

When to start the job search:

There is no perfect time to start the job search process, so don’t panic if you haven’t started yet. Usually, three months in advance seems to be a true timeline in public relations and advertising. Job positions are changing so often and needs of the company change as well.

However, the timeline is sensitive in the sense if you start too early... If too early in applying, you run the risk of the company losing interest (not because of your skill sets/accomplishments), but because they may not be willing to wait until the job position deadline to hire you.

If you start the hunt too late, you run the obvious risk of not receiving an offer at all. You may have a couple interviews lined up, but these might not run congruent with the type of job position that you were hoping for.

Before the job search:

Set goals
For both short and long term, it’s good to think about what aspects of a job you might enjoy. Consider your skills and knowledge of the area, and also the characteristics of the job and if they match up to your personal characteristics. It’s important to find a good fit for the company/agency and yourself.

Polish your resume
It’s pertinent to make a good first impression and showcase your skills and experience with this ever-so-important part of the job search. Times are changing so an online portfolio is also acceptable.

Research the job market
Jobs are posted in different cities and areas all the time, so it’s key to keep this search going at all times. Don’t choose to start your job search when you have a final project and a hectic workweek. Set aside time on the weekend to do some web surfing so that it’s not overwhelming. Using LinkedIn to search different companies and their job postings can be very helpful.

Job searching takes time & patience
Resilience is the mark of a great job search and it’s also something employers look for in a successful job candidate. The way you organize your job search, from the first contact to what you say to a receptionist to how you deal with the entire job search process, tells an employer what you’d be like to work with, especially when things get tough.

So not only is patience immensely important for helping to keep you sane during a prolonged job search, but more often than not, maintaining a positive attitude the best you can in spite of the obstacles, becomes the mark of a successful job seeker and that is who employees want to hire.

Lauren is a senior studying Advertising and Public Relations, emphasizing in Public Relations, at Grand Valley State University. She plans to graduate in April 2016 and would love to travel and utilize her minor in Spanish. In Lauren’s spare time, you can find her polishing her Pinterest boards, enjoying anything peanut butter, watching Lifetime movies, or enjoying everything that West Michigan has to offer.