Essential elements for landing a new job can seem elusive

Have you ever wondered why it seems some people land new jobs quickly and others struggle for months without landing a great job?

Both candidates possess impressive resumes, skills, GPAs, advanced degrees, and references. However, why does one get hired faster than the other? Although luck may play a role, success in job searching requires creating your own luck. How can you do this?

Here are 3 important elements to landing another job.

1. Immediately start treating the job hunt like a job

The sooner you start looking the better. In our two cases, the first individual started hunting immediately. They not only checked every want ad and internet service for jobs in their target location, but they also checked into places where they felt they could make a difference that had no jobs advertised. They spent eight hours each day on the hunt, turning over every stone to find new opportunities.

The second job hunter had a reasonable severance package and decided to take some time off. During that time they “dabbled” in job hunting but really didn’t give it their all. When they felt they were ready to go back to work, they had to explain why they had not been working. If you haven’t been working for a while, find something to make positive use of your time. Take a class, teach a class, or volunteer. All these efforts indicate that you are not sitting around being lazy, but rather improving yourself and your abilities during your search.

2. Willingness to look beyond their immediate skill

Frequently, we become fixated on our previous job titles and fail to recognize how our skills can apply to other areas. As a result, we waste time trying to recreate our past roles and overlook new possibilities.

Focus on how they can apply their skills to the various targeted companies, allowing them to see how they would fit in.

3. Network

The person who landed quickly engaged their network. Phone calls, social and professional networking sites (such as LinkedIn), prior employers, friends, parents of friends, friends of friends and just about everyone they knew who might provide a connection to an opportunity. They called or emailed each one personally, even those they didn’t know well, with a request for any leads or connections.

The second person networked within their small social and professional internet communities, and friends. Beyond that, they asked people they knew to ask others if they knew of any openings instead of making the connections personally. Working through someone as opposed to making a direct connection greatly reduces the impact. Request that their contacts introduce them to their contacts. Then, reach out themselves – the more personal the contact, the better. This shows the person they contact that they take charge and are not afraid to move out of their comfort zone.

Of course, a powerful resume and a positive attitude all play a part in getting a job, but most job hunters have that. Quickly treating the job hunt as a job, opening their vistas and truly tapping into their network are three things they should consider if their job hunt has stalled.