5 Things to Do Before You Actively Start Job Hunting

5 Things to Do Before You Actively Start Job Hunting5 Things to Do Before You Actively Start Job HuntingWhen does your job hunting officially start? Well, if youre eager to set yourself up for success, the process begins well before you ever begin perusing those job boards and blanketing the world in your resume.Thats right- much like anything else, theres some necessary groundwork that will get your hunt for a new gig started on the right track. What sorts of things should you take care of before you even so much as tailor your resume?Here are five things you should be aya to do before you actually start job hunting1. Consider what you want.Youre eager to start blasting out applications for every open position that seems somewhat appealing. But, its important to remember that quality is more important than quantity in your job search.For that reason, its best to start by thinking through your desires for your next position. For example, what type of flexibility do you want? Are you looking for a part-time role that allows you to pursue your passions on the side? Or, maybe youre on the lookout for a full-time remote position.Aside from just flexibility, things like the job responsibilities and company culture are also important considerations to make. Getting your thoughts and priorities sorted out beforehand will help you focus your time, energy, and efforts on the open roles that are actually most relevant to you.2. Think through your value proposition.Of course, its not all about finding a job that you want- the employer needs to want you as well. So, this is as good of time as any to begin thinking through your skills, strengths, and what exactly you bring to the table for employers.Starting with a step like this one is helpful for a few reasons. First and foremost, itll make it that much easier to begin weeding through those job descriptions, as youll have a better understanding of what exactly youre qualified for. This step also serves as a confidence boo st. When starting the job search feels so intimidating, beginning by reflecting on your own qualifications and competencies is typically just the push you need.Finally, when it comes time to tackle your resume and cover letter, youll already have a solid foundation to build upon.3. Polish up your verbunden presence.You already know that most hiring managers are going to take a peek at your social media profiles to get a better grasp on just what type of candidate you are.Unfortunately, knocking the cobwebs off your own online presence is a task that can easily slip through the cracks when youre wrapped up in all of the other moving parts of your job search.Take the time to do it before you ever even so much as submit a single application. Sure, you might want to make some tweaks later depending on the specific roles you apply to. But, at least you can rest assured that you dont have any posts or photos out there that will raise some eyebrows.4. Reconnect with your references.If its been some time since you last job hunted, Im willing to bet that your relationships with your references might be a little stale.Obviously, these people are going to need to vouch for you if and when an employer calls to find out more about you. So, if its been awhile since youve touched base, its best to reconnect now, catch up, and let your references know that youre going to begin job hunting again.You can also provide some details about what youve been up to recently and what sort of role youre looking for, so that your references are able to provide more relevant information.If you find a reference on your list that you feel is now a little too distant? Work on swapping that out with someone else, so that you have a solid, recent list you can lean on as you move into your job search.5. Make a plan.The job search can be overwhelming, and its all too easy to feel like youre drowning once youre in the thick of those phone screenings, tailored resumes, and vague job descriptions. T his is why it can be so helpful to make a plan for yourself before you actually get things rolling.Your strategy can be as simple or as detailed as youd like. But, having some sort of roadmap in place will both keep you accountable and help you stay on track as you continue through the process.You might think that your job search starts when you find an open role that you want to apply for. However, there are some prior tasks you should take care of before actually submitting an application. Cross these five off your list, and youre sure to kick off your job hunt right.Start Your Job Search