We've all been through this phase. That butterflies arise in the stomach, we are invaded by dozens of questions, and sometimes even uncertainty knocks on the door. Entering the job market is a highly anticipated moment in students’ lives.. And it is also one of the most challenging phases in a professional career.

That's why it's natural to look for simple and quick ways to get a job. But the truth is that there is no recipe that, followed step by step, always guarantees the same result! 

There are, on the other hand, several strategies that we can adopt when looking for work. Combined, all these strategies increase the chances of getting the position we applied for..

So where to start? From creating your CV, to sending your application email, to how to make connections and which platforms to search for vacancies, We have listed four strategies that can serve as guidance in this initial phase.

Strategies to adopt when searching for a job

1. Creating an appealing CV that gets straight to the point

The first step in looking for a job is creating a curriculum vitae. This is an important document to enlighten recruiters regarding the qualifications, professional experience, skills and other information relevant to the application. 

The professional experience section is the element you should pay the most attention to. A very common mistake is simply listing tasks and functions in the description of professional activities. But recruiters mainly want to know about achievements, learning situations and results achieved by the candidates.

A tip for inexperienced professionals is provide internships, courses, training, volunteering experiences and other certificates that can constitute a positive differentiator and show the person’s potential.

How much more objective, simple and personalized the CV, the greater the chances of not being immediately discarded and of standing out from the competition. This is because among so many applications received, HR professionals try to make a brief analysis.

2. Sending the cover letter/application email

The CV alone is not enough. Inserting text in the application email or sending a cover letter along with your CV usually increases your chances of being hired. 

Once again, the customization, The simplicity and the objectivity should serve as the basis for creating this text. Remember that recruiters do not have time to analyze each application carefully, so it is best to be brief.

This text must contain the presentation, objectives, skills and experience relevant to the position you are applying for. It should not be seen just as a complement to the resume. 

The preparation of the cover letter or application email must go beyond the information contained in the CV. It is essentially the answer to the question: Why should I be hired?

3. How to make connections

Investing in networking, strengthening contacts and using professional connections to access new opportunities and information is a good idea at any stage of your professional career. 

But when looking for your first job, it can play a particularly important role. In the end, recruiters still value recommendations, so this can be a gateway to the desired position.

In the digital age, Social media is a great tool for looking for work. Some suggestions for using them more efficiently for this purpose:

• Invest time in your presentation and profile photo;
• Take advantage of social networks such as Linkedin to share your CV;
• Interact with users and publications, through liking, commenting and sharing publications;
• Pay attention to what is published, especially controversial or dubious subjects, and how this is reflected in the image that is conveyed;
• Create content that promotes engagement and adds value to the community;
• Take the opportunity to provide work samples;
• Participate in employment and discussion groups on Facebook;
• Invest in contacts that reveal coherence and relevance;
• Know what each social network should be used for.

In addition to online, offline also has several networking advantages. Participating in courses, training, workshops, lectures, job fairs and other offline events is an excellent opportunity to make new connections.

4. Job platforms

All the homework done, now it's time to submit applications. Spontaneous applications are always a good option, but if what you really want is know the specific and immediate needs of organizations and companies, turning to job platforms is a good starting point.

What are the most used employment platforms for looking for work in all areas?

• Linkedin
• Net Jobs
• SAPO Employment

What are the employment platforms for looking for work in Tourism?

• Employment scholarship
• Turijobs
• Turilink
• Hosco
• ADECO

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