5 Ways To Improve Your Job Search Results

Is your job search going a little slow for your taste? You're definitely not alone on that front. Job seekers all over the country are struggling to find work in an economy that is still sluggish. There is no magic button that you can press that will make things better, but there are some techniques that will help you improve your chances.

Since you are just one of many people looking for work, you are going to have to make sure that your job application stands out from the competition. Here are five ways to do just that:

• Think like an employer. This means you need to explain how your experience and skills will specifically benefit the organization. Don't assume the hiring manager will be able to connect the dots.
• Use buzz words. Key words should be sprinkled throughout your resume. These will help your application come up first if the employer uses an applicant tracking system. If you are unsure which words to use, look at the job description the employer posted and see which phrases are most prevalent.
• Network. Not all jobs will be posted online, so making contacts will be crucial to your job search efforts. It's also much easier to get hired if you can get a good recommendation from someone who already works at the organization.
• Know your strengths. Highlight your strongest accomplishments from your previous jobs. Employers are more interested in what you accomplished than where you worked.
• Make goals. Create a list of what you want to accomplish each day. It's much easier to stay focused when you have attainable goals you can reach. For example, you can make it a point to apply to three jobs a day or make two new networking contacts.