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The job search tips that make the most difference are simple: aim at a short list of roles you can do well, tailor your CV to each job description, apply on the company’s own site, tell people you are looking, keep a tracker, and practise interviews out loud before they happen. The 24 tips below turn each of these into a concrete action.
Before you apply
1. Choose two or three target roles
Write down the job titles you would apply for and the ones you would not. A focused search lets you tailor every application instead of sending the same CV everywhere.
2. Collect five job ads for each role
Paste them side by side and highlight the skills and tools that appear in most of them. That list is what your CV needs to show. The job description keyword finder helps.
3. Rebuild your CV around those skills
Lead with results, not duties, and use the same words the ads use. Check it reads cleanly with an ATS-friendly layout and see which skills to list.
4. Fix your LinkedIn headline and About section
Recruiters search by job title and skills, so put your target title in your headline. See LinkedIn headline examples.
5. Prepare three stories you can tell in any interview
A win you are proud of, a problem you solved and a time something went wrong. Write each one in the STAR format so it is ready before the first call.
Applying
6. Apply soon after a job is posted
Many employers review applications as they arrive, so an early application is more likely to be read. Set alerts for your target titles and check them daily.
7. Apply on the company’s own site where you can
The employer’s own careers page is where the job is managed, and it often asks screening questions that a job board skips. See how to apply for jobs step by step.
8. Tailor the top third of your CV for every job
Change your summary and the first bullets of your latest role to match the ad. That part is read first, so small edits there matter most.
9. Answer screening questions carefully
Right to work, salary, notice period and location questions often filter applications before a person reads them. Give accurate answers and keep a note of what you said.
10. Apply when you meet most of the requirements
Job ads list the ideal candidate. If you can do the core of the job and can show it, apply and explain the gap honestly if asked.
11. Choose fit over volume
A smaller number of well-matched applications usually does better than a large number of generic ones. See how many jobs to apply for a day for a sensible pace.
Ready to put this into practice?
Set up Auto Apply →Networking
12. Tell people you are looking
Send a short message to former colleagues, classmates and friends saying which roles you want and where. Many roles are filled through people who already know the candidate.
13. Ask for advice, not for a job
People say yes to a 15 minute call about their role far more readily than to a request for a job. Ask what the team looks for and who else you should talk to.
14. Look for roles that are never advertised
Some jobs are filled before they reach a job board. Our guide to the hidden job market shows how to find them.
15. Follow up once, politely
If you have not heard back after a week or two, send one short message to the recruiter or hiring manager. See how long to wait to hear back.
Staying organised and motivated
16. Keep a tracker
Record the company, role, date, CV version, contact and status for every application. A spreadsheet works; see how to track job applications.
17. Save the job ad when you apply
Ads are often taken down. Keep a copy so you can prepare from it if you are invited to interview.
18. Set a weekly routine
Block time for searching, applying, networking and interview practice. A routine stops the search from taking over every day.
19. Review your results every two weeks
If you are getting no replies, change your CV or your target roles. If you are getting interviews but no offers, focus on interview practice.
20. Take rejection as information, not a verdict
Most rejections have nothing to do with you personally. Ask for feedback when you reach the interview stage, and use what you hear.
Ready to put this into practice?
Set up Auto Apply →Interviews
21. Research the company and the role
Read the job ad again, the company’s website and recent news. Prepare two or three reasons you want this role in particular.
22. Practise answers out loud
Knowing an answer and saying it clearly under pressure are different skills. Rehearse your stories aloud until they flow. See how to prepare for an interview.
23. Prepare your own questions
Ask about the team, how success is measured and what the first few months look like. Good questions show real interest.
24. Send a short thank-you note
Within a day, thank the interviewer and mention one thing you discussed. It is a small step that keeps you in mind.
Where to spend your job search time
| Activity | Why it matters | Try this |
|---|---|---|
| Tailoring your CV | A CV that matches the job is more likely to be read | Edit the summary and first bullets for each role |
| Applying | You need a steady flow of applications that fit | Apply early, on the company site, with accurate answers |
| Networking | Many roles are filled through people the hiring team knows | Two short advice calls each week |
| Interview practice | Interviews decide offers | Rehearse out loud before every interview |
Ready to put this into practice?
Set up Auto Apply →How MockIF can help
MockIF Auto Apply finds jobs that fit your CV in the countries you choose and applies on employers’ own job sites with the answers you gave. When a form asks something it doesn’t know, it asks you instead of guessing. Replies arrive in your MockIF Inbox. That leaves more of your week for networking and preparation.
For interviews, an AI mock interview is built from your CV and the job description. The AI interviewer asks follow-up questions, in voice or avatar mode, and scores each answer on clarity, confidence and relevance. Both are free to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best job search strategy?
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Should I apply on job boards or company websites?
How do I stay motivated during a long job search?
Spend your time on the parts only you can do.
Auto Apply finds jobs that fit your CV and applies with your answers, so you can focus on networking and interview practice.
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