Job Searching Guide. Part 1
In today’s ever-changing job market, searching for a job can feel like navigating a maze without a map. As experienced Talent Acquisition specialists, we understand the challenges job seekers face.
That’s why our Customertimes TA team — Olha Hodz, Olha Bednarska, Inna Bondarchuk, Inna Parkhomchuk, and Alona Rydun — has prepared a comprehensive guide on job searching. In the first part, we’ll walk you through the job search process, from crafting an attention-grabbing CV to optimizing your LinkedIn profile and using the most popular job portals. The second part will equip you with the tools and strategies to prepare for a job interview.
So, let’s unlock the secrets to landing your dream job!
Craft your CV
Your CV speaks volumes about you. Whether you’re an experienced pro or a beginner, a clear and well-structured resume is key to creating a positive first impression and landing a desired job. While crafting a CV, you should remember about some crucial rules.
Follow a logical structure and use simple language. Have a clear CV outline, use active sentences, and avoid grammatical errors.
Keep it short and clear. An ideal CV should be limited to 2 pages (maximum 3 pages for senior and higher roles). Focus on your main achievements and emphasize projects related to the vacancy.
Be honest. Describe only relevant experiences and don’t exaggerate your expertise.
Maintain professionalism. It’s better to use official-style photos, not model or other types of photos. If you don’t have an official photo, omit it.
Use a proper file name for your CV, for example: Name Surname_Position. It creates a first impression and can influence whether the application gets noticed or disregarded.
What should you include in a CV?
A well-structured CV should be divided into several logical blocks.
- Name, surname, your title, current location.
- Contact details
Include your phone number, email address, and preferred messaging apps. The nickname of your email should be formal, like First Name. Last Name. Provide contacts where you are ready to receive messages and ensure your profiles are open. You can also add links to your social networks such as GitHub, UpWork, etc.
3. Summary
Provide information about your position, experience, accomplishments you are most proud of, and your career aspirations. Additionally, highlight your technology stack, but avoid using progress bars or stars to indicate your level of knowledge.
Do
Don’t
4. Work Experience
Follow reverse chronology and start by describing your most recent job. Add project descriptions and your responsibilities. Important: always remember about NDAs.
5. Education
Describe your education, starting with the highest level. The faculty and name of the educational institution are a must. Additionally, you can add degree, year of graduation, and form of education: full-time or part-time. You can also indicate the courses you have completed, certificates you have received, and professional events you have attended.
6. Languages
Provide a list of languages and their proficiency levels (from A1 to C2). If your level is low, it is better to clarify “can speak or pass interview.” If you have completed courses or have international certificates such as IELTS, TOEFL, FCE, or any other, specify them.
7. Additional information.
In this block, you can add your achievements and interests to accomplish expertise. For instance:
- Articles published on professional platforms, for example Medium or any other.
- Pet-projects.
- Links to recommendations. It can be external links or additional documents. Save space on your resume by removing the phrase “references available upon request” — recruiters will request them if they need them during the hiring process.
- Soft skills. Describe your soft skills if they are crucial for the position. This item is optional.
- Interests and hobbies. You can talk about your interests, both professional and non-professional. But it is optional.
Download your CV in PDF format. Before sending, ensure it meets the job requirements. Also, make sure that the document’s name contains the position title and your first and last name. Don’t forget about the cover letter. Write about how your skills fit the position and what interests you in the project or company. This letter will help you increase the chance your resume is reviewed.
Polish your LinkedIn profile
Many hiring managers use this professional social media platform to find the best candidates, making it a crucial tool for self-presentation as an expert in your field. A polished and compelling profile can significantly increase your visibility and attract relevant job offerings. We’ve created ten simple steps to help you craft a profile that effectively showcases your skills and experiences.
- Add your first and last name in English.
- Upload a professional profile photo.
3. Specify your “Headline”. It’s one of the first parts of your profile someone will see, so pay attention to it. You can add your role: Manual QA Engineer; or you can highlight that you are looking for job opportunities: Manual QA Engineer | Open to Work.
4. Write a summary. The “About” section expresses your motivation, mission, and unique skillset to people who view your profile. Ideally, the text should be limited to one or two paragraphs.
5. Fill in your contact info. This will allow recruiters to contact you through alternative means if you haven’t logged into LinkedIn for a long time. You can delete this information once you find a job.
6. Describe your relevant work experiences. Keep the profile updated with all your professional experiences that align with your current career goals. You can also upload media samples to provide quick access to your work portfolio.
7. Provide information about your education. Include details about your higher education and certifications.
8. Add your skills. A list of relevant skills and technologies showcases your expertise and helps others understand your strengths. I recommend selecting skills from the automatic list offered by LinkedIn. Click the “Add a new skill” button, enter a new skill in the search field, and choose appropriate ones. Before seeking a job, ask your colleagues and friends to endorse your skills.
9. Polish your “Featured” section. Include links to previously published posts, relevant materials, or a CV file. This helps recruiters understand your career aspirations and further evaluate your qualifications.
10. Activate the “Open to work” icon. This will signal to recruiters that you are actively seeking new job opportunities.
Monitor job sites
There are many websites that provide necessary information about vacancies, requirements, and opportunities. All of them are available free of charge and have constantly updated offers. First, it is necessary to post your resume on job search sites. This will speed up the job search, and recruiters will be able to contact you faster.
The best global job search sites:
A platform that remains at the top of resources for job searching. Many professionals are accustomed to receiving messages on LinkedIn from recruiters through direct messaging. However, candidates can also independently search for job opportunities in the “Jobs” section with up-to- date listings.
Another classic platform for candidate and employer searches. Glassdoor provides detailed company reviews, salary information, and interview impressions, assisting candidates in making informed choices regarding potential employers.
Recruiters can use Indeed to reach a broad audience, and candidates appreciate it for the variety of job offers available.
The best job search sites in Europe:
Ukraine
DOU
Here, you can find relevant job openings for experienced candidates, as well as the first technical courses for newcomers and internship options. DOU also assists candidates in decision-making regarding job offers and interview preparation. You can read company reviews, explore their branding pages with descriptions and benefits, and even more — enhance your personal brand by publishing articles on hard and soft skills.
One of the platform’s innovations is candidate profiles, where you can add your resume, and companies pay the platform to view your CV.
An excellent platform useful for both active and passive job seekers. Candidates can provide a brief description of their experience with a specific company and anonymously publish it. As usual, recruiters will reach out to you, and you can choose the most attractive job offers. You can also independently browse job listings and apply to those that interest you.
An outstanding platform currently actively evolving. It’s often referred to as the “Tinder for IT specialists.” Recruiters select relevant candidates and send them proposals. Candidates, in turn, choose those they like, and only after a mutual match, they gain the ability to communicate.
A few more platforms worth considering for career opportunities or candidate searches in Ukraine: robota.ua, WORK.ua, Jooble.
Poland
One of the most popular job search platforms in Poland with vacancies offered by both local companies and businesses from around the world. This platform has its own magazine, “JustGeekIT,” where they publish useful IT news and articles.
A classic and popular platform among IT specialists in Poland. Here, you can find job vacancies and explore company profiles. A small bonus: various research studies are published here in open access.
A few more platforms worth considering for career opportunities or candidate searches in Poland: pracuj.pl, BULLDOGJOB, Think IT.
Czechia
It’s a classic platform where you can browse job listings, apply to them, and explore company profiles. An interesting feature: StartupJobs also welcomes candidates from Slovakia, so if you are currently in that country — welcome!
A few more platforms worth considering for career opportunities or candidate searches in the Czech Republic: prace.cz, Jobs.cz, Techloop.
Latvia
A recognized platform for effective recruitment and job searching in Latvia. This platform provides significant advantages for both recruiters and candidates, creating an efficient environment for interaction.
Montenegro: Zaposli.me
Bulgaria: Jobs.bg
You can also search for positions on the official websites of companies because sometimes companies do not always post their vacancies from the list of job search sites.
Creating a standout CV, crafting a compelling LinkedIn profile, and effectively monitoring job portals are essential for success in your job search.
Stay tuned for the next part of our Job Searching Guide — where we will provide you with tips for preparing for a job interview.
