10 Tips to level up your Job Search

Searching for a job in today’s competitive market can feel like navigating a maze — especially when opportunities are scarce, unemployment and mobility are low, hiring is slow, and technology is altering the market. Whether you're a recent graduate, seasoned professional looking for a change, or someone reentering the workforce, refining your approach is essential. In this article, we’ll explore 10 actionable tips to help you level up your job search, stand out from the crowd, and land the role you deserve with confidence and strategy.

1. Tailor Every Application

One of the most effective ways to make an impression is to tailor each application to the specific role you’re pursuing. Customizing your resume and cover letter shows employers that you’ve taken the time to understand their needs, as well as the mission, values, and culture of the company. When you highlight the experiences and accomplishments that directly align with what the employer is seeking, you make it easier for them to envision you in the role. This kind of thoughtful customization demonstrates professionalism, genuine interest, and a strategic mindset. Review the job description and incorporate relevant details into your resume, cover letter, and application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Incorporating keywords from the job description also helps you pass AI‑driven resume scanners, increasing your chances of getting noticed by a human reviewer.

2. Polish your Online Presence

Your digital footprint plays a significant role in how employers perceive you. A cohesive online presence helps employers quickly understand your strengths, values, and what makes you unique. Start by updating your LinkedIn profile with a professional photo, a clear headline, and a compelling summary that highlights your skills, experience, and professional mission statement. Turn on the ‘Open to Work’ option on your account in the Jobs-My Jobs section of LinkedIn. Specify the Job Titles, Locations, Employment Types and Visibility to match your preferences. This step is crucial in signaling to recruiters that you are seeking opportunities, and it provides them with searchable information that could lead to them reaching out to you about an opportunity.

Sharing industry‑related thought leadership content shows your engagement and expertise. Leveraging LinkedIn or any industry-relevant site as a showcase reinforces your personal brand. For example, if you write articles, create videos, contribute to public reports or industry research, add it to the ‘Showcase’ area in the About section of your LinkedIn account. To illustrate how impactful this can be, I have personally found a new job by highlighting my experience with a specific software that a recruiter was searching for a candidate with experience in. My experience with that software was prominently featured on my account About section, which led to a new job that I accepted. LinkedIn equips recruiters with powerful search capabilities to pinpoint candidates who match their specific job requirements, so it is essential to detail your expertise to ensure your profile is fully optimized for discovery.

3. Sharpen your Resume

A strong resume is focused, intentional, and aligned with the roles you are pursuing. Create a headline that helps the reader quickly identify your personal brand as an expert in your field. Highlight measurable achievements and provide relevant details. Quantifying your achievements with numbers and metrics adds credibility and impact.

Your resume should also have a dedicated skills section to help employers quickly identify your strengths, including your familiarity with specific tools or software — something that can significantly influence the likelihood of being selected for an interview. This will demonstrate your competency and commitment to the industry. Seeking feedback from mentors, peers, or career services (potentially through a university or local organization) can help you refine your resume even further.

If you are concerned that some of your experience is unrelated to the desired position, use an ‘Additional Experience’ section (see example). It is a smart way to display employment stability and showcase transferable skills, while ensuring the focus of the resume is on your objective positions. This strategy is particularly valuable if you are transitioning into a new career or have limited professional experience.

4. Showcase your Experience with a Portfolio

A professional portfolio is an excellent way to highlight your expertise and tell your story, presenting you as a complete individual—not just a name on a page. I created a Experience Portfolio which is an all-encompassing CV-style PowerPoint document. It includes the following:

• Introduction & Title

• Career Summary

• Skills & Technology Summary

• Professional Experience

• Internship & Undergraduate Work Experience

• Education

• Certifications

• Writing Experience

• Media Appearances

• Philanthropy & Volunteering

• Projects

• Interests

• Closing & Contact Information

Click here to view the full presentation. 

You may not need to create a detailed CV-style portfolio like I chose to, but it displays an advanced level of dedication to your career and is far more personable than a traditional resume or alternate list-based document. It also provides employers with a clearer picture of your expertise, competence, and potential. Get started by creating slides using the applicable bullet points listed above as a template, then build on them by incorporating content from your resume. Add photos, links, and relevant work samples to the document. Once it is complete you can add it to your website, LinkedIn About section, Slideshare (a platform designed to showcase documents) and attach it to job applications, as well as communications with recruiters alongside your resume. Also, once you create it, you can easily maintain it by adding content as you continue to gain experience.

5. Network Strategically

Networking remains one of the most powerful tools in any job search. Treat it as an ongoing part of your process rather than an occasional task. Attend virtual and in‑person industry, career fairs, webinars, meetups, and alumni events to stay connected and informed. When you attend events take notes, make new connections with presenters as well as attendees, add them on LinkedIn, and ask them about other events they are attending. Be engaging, sincere and open to new opportunities. Also, reaching out to former colleagues, mentors or alumni can lead to referrals, insights, or resume reviews that can reveal blind spots. These events also offer opportunities to engage with recruiters, gain insights into hiring trends, and maintain motivation throughout your search.

6. Upskill Continuously

Staying competitive in the workforce requires commitment to continuous improvement through ongoing learning. Taking online courses or earning certifications in high‑demand areas can strengthen your qualifications. Balancing technical or specialized skills with soft skills — such as communication, adaptability, and leadership — makes you a more well‑rounded candidate. Following industry thought leaders, subscribing to relevant newsletters, and joining professional groups keeps you informed about trends and developments, which you can reference in interviews to demonstrate your engagement, curiosity, and commitment to the industry.

7. Leverage Artificial Intelligence Tools

AI‑powered platforms can give you an edge in your job search. Tools like Jobscan or Resume Worded help optimize your resume by comparing it to job descriptions and identifying areas for improvement. AI‑based mock interview tools can also help you practice responses, refine your delivery, and build confidence before speaking with a hiring manager. Highlight your AI expertise and be prepared to discuss how you can leverage AI to drive measurable results for the company.

If you are interested in learning more about artificial intelligence, I highly recommend taking the University of Maryland’s Artificial Intelligence and Career Empowerment online course. This free program offers a strong foundational overview of the technology, explains its applications across various industries, and shows you how to leverage it to advance your career.

8. Set Clear Goals

Clarity is essential when navigating the job market. Defining the type of role, preferred industries, company culture, and career path you want will help to ensure that your search remains targeted. Since the job search process is oftentimes non-linear, it can be emotionally draining. It is important to build in breaks, celebrate small wins, and stay connected with supportive people. I found it helpful to speak with two career counselors from the universities that I attended. They are highly knowledgeable about the labor market and effective search strategies. They are dedicated to helping current students and alumni throughout the job search process. Counselors can help you set clear goals, identify target industries, and develop a structured job search plan. This includes networking strategies and tips for leveraging alumni connections. Even a brief phone conversation for a resume review and feedback on your job search approach can provide invaluable insights and encouragement.

9. Prepare for each interview

Preparation is key to making a strong impression. Before each virtual interview, test your technology and choose a quiet, well‑lit space. Practicing eye contact by looking at the camera helps you appear more engaged. If you are physically travelling to an interview, have your clothing and any materials you are bringing prepared in advance. Plan to arrive early and consider any transportation variables on your trip.

Researching the company’s mission, values, and latest news allows you to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest. Using structured storytelling methods like SARB (Situation, Action, Result, Benefit) or STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) helps you communicate your experiences clearly, demonstrate your critical thinking skills and highlight the value you bring. Preparing for behavioral and situational questions ensures you can confidently illustrate your strengths and problem‑solving abilities. You should have a few different stories of work experiences prepared so that you can confidently answer behavioral questions.

Always ask questions at the conclusion of the interview. The depth and amount of questions that you ask are going to indicate your level of interest and understanding of the opportunity. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you, and you should want to learn as much as you can about the role and company before committing to the opportunity.

10. Communicate and Show Gratitude

Professionalism should guide every interaction throughout the hiring process. Treating everyone you encounter with respect and dignity — from the receptionist to the CEO — reflects positively on you and can influence hiring decisions. Sending a thank‑you message after each interview reinforces your professionalism and keeps the connection warm, even if you decide not to pursue the role. Use the thank you email to reenforce some of the talking points from the interview, mention a supplemental point to a topic that was discussed, and send over a work sample or any other appropriate addition to your message (like the experience portfolio) to demonstrate further why you are the right person for the position. Create a custom personalized thank you card to accompany your email. It can easily be created for free on a site like Canva. Go to the site, search for ‘Thank You Cards’, find a few designs that you like, and send different custom versions to every single person you speak with (whether it be an appointment setter, recruiter, hiring manager, department manager, etc.).

It is a very quick and simple way to show enthusiasm and make a lasting impression. Take every opportunity to add a personal touch through your communications so that you can display a genuine interest in the role and company. Whether you choose to pursue the role or not, a positive impression can open doors to future opportunities or valuable connections. Spell check and read aloud any communication that you send in order to avoid sending misspelled words or incorrect information.

You never know when a hiring manager has to chose between equally qualified applicants and what factors may tip the scale in or out of your favor. A hiring manager may ask their team members or think to themselves, ‘which person would you like to work with?’ or ‘which person would you see fitting into our team?’ Hiring managers are likely to hire who they want to work with, so you would do well to show them why you are the right choice through the initiative and effort that you display through the process.

 

Bonus: Create a Job Search Tracker

Creating a job search tracker will help you to record key information any time you are in contact with prospective employers. This will help you to stay organized and track precise details that you may otherwise overlook or misconstrue with other opportunities. It should list the following for each opportunity:

• Company Name

• Position Title

• Location

• Date(s) of Contact

• Compensation Range

• Hiring Timeline

• Contact Information and Name(s)

• Notes

This can easily be recorded in an Excel sheet, or on a piece of paper. Tracking these details is an important part of the process and can be helpful especially if you need to reference any information prior to or during an interview.

By applying these tips, you will sharpen your approach, create an effective strategy, and position yourself for success. Continue to refine your approach and keep in mind that once you find the position that is a good fit it will make all your hard work and persistence worthwhile. Best of luck with your job search!

For an analysis of the labor market detailing why competition is high and mobility is low, check out my previous article:

Navigating a Shifting Labor Market: Analyzing Why Competition is High and Mobility is Low

We offer LinkedIn Account Consultation services for job seekers interested in creating an effective and well optimized account. Consultations will include identifying job search objectives, a complete account review and account optimization strategy. Contact us to learn more!

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Andrew C. Belton, MBA is a Marketing, Proposal and Content Management Professional, Writer and Owner of Symmetrical Media Marketing where he helps small businesses to create effective digital marketing strategies. He has been featured in LinkedIn News, LinkedIn Pulse, Startup Stash, Venture and Business2Community. He is a Philadelphia native, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduate and is passionate about helping small businesses, education and challenging the limits of technology and communications.