8 habits of a highly effective job seeker

The difference between a highly effective job seeker and an ineffective one is that no matter the season this person will always land the best paying jobs in Kenya. It is not a genetic predisposition but rather strategy, initiative and focus.

You may need to go out of your way to get your desired job. Remember, nobody owes you a job, but you owe it to yourself to achieve your dream career. In this article, I will give you success tips of an outrageously effective job seeker to implement in your job search strategy.

Build personal networks

This individual is intentional in creating personal networks they can leverage in their job-seeking efforts. It can be as simple as creating touchpoints with individuals working in their dream companies to maintaining business networks as they transition through the best paying jobs in Kenya. 

Networking doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but consistency goes a long way. You never know when one of your contacts could put in a good word for you or point you in the right direction. Sometimes, it really does come down to who you know.

Always be sincere in creating valuable contacts that can advance your career. It does not necessarily need to be strictly business, you can share experiences and sincere personal connections. Being out of work does not mean you have to be out of touch, so be sure to build and maintain your networking momentum.

Proactively update their resume

With so many resume tips out there, this timeless tip is the simplest yet most overlooked. Your resume and CV are dynamic documents and as such should continuously be updated in content and structure.

Your resume requires a spring clean every so often focusing on brevity, action verbs, no personal pronouns, skills that fit the specific job and using numbers and metrics. Individuals who develop a strong customized resume or CV when seeking the best paying jobs in Kenya will almost certainly increase their chances dramatically.

Focus on tangible results and practical solutions

In a healthy job market, candidates can promote themselves with their employment history, education and related assets. But when no one is hiring, you may need to focus your efforts on practical solutions like understanding and identifying your employer’s immediate needs and wants. 

If you can effectively answer this age-old question even in a down market, you will be able to carve out an opportunity for yourself. The outcome of your job search should never be based on external circumstances of the job market but rather on your mindset and adaptability.

Prioritize and track your job search efforts

Successful job seekers realize that their efforts involve constantly devising and improving their strategy. A strategy is what drives you towards your goals. Job seeking requires planning, scheduling and even tracking your efforts through networking, filling out applications or searching job sites. To land the best paying jobs in Kenya, the key is consistency.

Make a point of tracking your efforts to ensure that you don’t miss any application deadlines and know when and how to make a follow-up after applying for multiple jobs. A job seeker who understands that job seeking is also an important task, are true go-getters and never give up even when they hit a snug. They reinvent and adapt to new solutions while keeping an open mind and a positive attitude.

They go for jobs outside their comfort zone

A highly effective job seeker is always an out-of-the-box thinker. This means that they are open to being geographically mobile for better career possibilities or even diversifying their career options. They identify their most relevant transferable skills and experiences and put themselves forward for opportunities that could elevate their career portfolio.

They focus on tangible value rather than holding onto redundant professions that don’t serve their needs.  Additionally, they welcome chances to try new things, meet new people, work on different projects and pick up new skills.

Create and manage a personal brand

From identifying and articulating your value proposition on your resume and cover letter to building a robust LinkedIn profile, your personal brand is an overall representation of who you are as a professional.

An effective job seeker will make deliberate and consistent efforts to build their brand online and offline for better visibility by potential employers. This allows hiring managers to learn about their most relevant skills and qualifications right off the bat. Always determine your unique selling proposition and build on that.

Focus on the process, not the outcome

An effective job seeker is also self-aware and patient when seeking employment. They understand it takes time, effort and resilience. When one opportunity doesn’t pan out, they know to keep a positive attitude and look forward to others. They focus on improving their job-seeking strategy rather than getting the best paying jobs in Kenya by setting actionable goals to lead them to their desired outcome. 

A learning attitude

A highly effective job seeker will always take advantage of learning opportunities that could impact their career positively. Whether it means leveraging online professional courses, attending a career seminar or reading books and publications, this individual is always on the move to improve and learn new skills.

It is crucial to be keen on staying informed on current industry trends and investing in upskilling and reskilling so that you can boost your employability. If your industry necessitates a specific skill or knowledge base, make sure you pursue that training so that you can stay current and competitive for the best paying jobs in Kenya today.

Final thoughts

If you are just getting into the job market or you are a seasoned professional looking to level up on the corporate ladder, remember job seeking is an art form that takes practice and continual improvement.

Pro tip: Always make short targeted lists of all your skills. This ultimately gives you a better understanding of who you are, what you know and your value proposition every time you are job hunting.

You have the power to influence your career possibilities and land your perfect job. All the best!