How to get a new job: seven confident steps

How to get a new job: the plan at a glance

Knowing how to get a new job, and how to find a new job that fits, starts with seeing the whole path. CareerOneStop, the career site sponsored by the US Department of Labor, observes that a job search works better when you take time to create a job search plan instead of sending your resume to every posting you find. It suggests tasks that are short-term, realistic and tied to specific deadlines.

Here are the seven steps this guide walks through. Give each one a finish line, and you will always know what to do next:

• Clarify your target role.
• Map your skills gap and close it.
• Refresh your resume and LinkedIn profile.
• Network your way into conversations.
• Apply with focus.
• Prepare for interviews.
• Evaluate and negotiate offers.

Steps 1 and 2: clarify your target role and close the skills gap

Pick one or two job titles to aim for. A clear target makes every later step easier, because your resume, your networking and your applications all point the same way. If you are weighing a career switch rather than a step up, a free career aptitude test such as the interest profiler on My Next Move, or a few sessions with a career change coach, can help you settle on a direction.

Next, collect five job postings for each title and highlight the requirements that repeat. CareerOneStop explains that employers describe jobs through knowledge, skills and abilities, and that showing you hold the ones a role asks for helps you stand out. Sort each requirement into three groups: strengths you can prove today, skills you can build quickly through a short course or a stretch project, and credentials that take longer, such as a certification or a degree. O*NET OnLine lists the tasks, skills and typical preparation for each occupation it covers, so it makes a useful reference.

Step 3: refresh your resume and LinkedIn profile

Your resume translates your experience into the language of your next role. Lead with a headline naming your target title, add a short summary that connects your strengths to the employer's needs, then rewrite each achievement around results. Mirror key terms from the postings you collected, so recruiters and screening software both see the match.

Your LinkedIn profile should tell the same story. The National Careers Service points out that the headline has 120 characters and suggests it cover who you are, what you do and what you want to be. It also recommends writing your summary in the first person, using keywords and completing every section, since complete profiles are easier for employers to find.

Step 4: network your way into new conversations

Many of the best openings reach you through people. Start with those who already know your work: former managers, colleagues, clients, classmates and members of professional groups. The National Careers Service suggests being clear about what you want and starting with a small, realistic request, such as advice or an introduction.

Informational interviews are especially valuable. CareerOneStop describes them as informal conversations with someone who works in a career or company that interests you, focused on learning rather than on a job offer. A few of these conversations will sharpen your target and often lead to further introductions.

• Send a short note that mentions your connection and asks for 20 minutes of advice.
• Prepare three or four questions about the role, the team and how they got started.
• Follow up with thanks, and contact any person they suggest.
• Offer help in return, such as a useful article or an introduction of your own.

Step 5: applying for jobs with focus

When you start applying for jobs, aim for fit over volume. CareerOneStop's targeted job search begins with a list of employers that match your preferred size, location, mission and focus, followed by direct outreach to managers in the area where you want to work. Tailor each application to the posting, and keep a simple tracker with the date you applied, your contact and your next follow-up.

Want to get a new job fast? Speed comes from focus. Set alerts for your target title, apply soon after strong matches appear and reserve a regular block in your week for the search. Spread your effort across job boards, employer career pages, recruiters, your network and official services such as CareerOneStop in the US, GOV.UK Find a job for England, Scotland and Wales, and Workforce Australia. In the US, American Job Centers also run free career transition programs, including job search workshops and practice interviewing.

Steps 6 and 7: interviews and offers

Interviews reward preparation. Research the employer, practice your answers out loud and bring real examples from your work. The National Careers Service recommends the STAR method, which structures each answer around the situation, task, action and result. CareerOneStop suggests preparing questions of your own and sending a thank-you note within 24 hours.

When an offer arrives, pause and evaluate it. CareerOneStop suggests expressing appreciation and strong interest, then requesting at least 24 hours to decide. Look at the whole package, including salary, schedule, benefits, training and tuition support. Base any request on the value you bring, and once you accept, ask for the offer in writing.

How to land a job that asks for a degree

Some target roles list a bachelor's or master's degree as a requirement. If yours does, your experience can help you earn it. Universities in the US, UK and Australia assess prior learning through formal processes, and recognized experience can cover part of an accredited degree. You complete the remaining modules with the university, typically online and on a schedule that fits your job. The university decides how much credit to award, and amounts vary by university and program.

A free Pathway Snapshot is a relaxed first step. Share your background through the contact form, and a Pathway Specialist replies by email within one business day with the routes that suit you. The Skills Radar and the Career Upgrade Explorer on this site can help you map your skills gap before you begin.