Takeaways
- Finding a new position takes careful planning, thought, and diligent interviewing.
- On average, getting a new position takes roughly 3-6 months from start to finish.
- Employers tend to pay more for new employees in similar titles and roles.
- Using a recruiter can improve your chances of getting high-quality interviews.
- Time to employment can vary based on whether you are searching for an in-person, hybrid, or remote position.
Being in a toxic relationship can be exhausting. Many people in the American workforce feel they are in a position they can’t escape. Recent studies confirm these feelings. Roughly 51% of younger workers have felt work-related stress.[1] This type of relationship with work can leave you searching LinkedIn, Monster, Ladders, or other job boards looking for your next opportunity.
Whether you are trying to earn more money, transition roles, or want to get promoted, there are many justifiable reasons to start the job hunt. New employers generally pay more for new employees in similar-positioned roles, so if you can also manage to get a title bump, it can be a great deal.[2]
Getting a new job isn’t necessarily easy. Human Resource professionals say you should plan to start your search at least three to six months before you want to transition companies.[3] The time to employment can change based on what role you are looking for and whether you want an in-person, hybrid, or remote position.
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9 Steps to Get a New Job
Job-hunting process takes time, energy, patience, and a dash of luck. There are certain variables you can control to put your best foot forward. Here are nine steps to help you get your ducks in order and give you the best chance at success:
1. Do Your Research
Not every job opportunity or company is the same. Before diving deep into exploring new positions, you should think about the big picture. Analyze what type of role you want to entertain. Here are several thought-provoking questions you can ask yourself during this process:
- Do you want to get a promotion?
- Are you willing to move?
- Is your objective to pivot industries?
- What compensation package would make you happy?
After answering these questions, you should jump into the research phase of your job search. Researching prospective companies means scrubbing the internet for companies and positions that match your criteria to get a sense of what employers are looking for in candidates. Researching these job openings will give insight into the skillsets, experience, and expectations aligned with the jobs you are looking to fill.
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2. Polish up Your Resume
With the backdrop of what employers are looking for in a new candidate, you can start dusting off your resume. It might have been a couple of years since you seriously sat down and took a fresh look at your resume.
The good news is that with the skillsets employers are looking for in the back of your mind, you can tailor your resume to the industry, position level, and company you want to apply to. Molding your resume to align with where you want to go might reveal some blind spots in your resume, which you can touch up before or during the interview process.
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3. Refresh Your Licenses
For positions requiring industry-specific certifications or licenses, you want to ensure all of your documents are up to date. In professions like medicine, accounting, finance, and more, having up-to-date certifications will give you a boost over the competition.
Make sure you are still eligible for your certifications, and if you still need to, take the necessary coursework and tests and pay the annual dues to get all your credentials up to take. Think about it: you want employers to recognize all the hard work you have already done.
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4. Get a New Certificate
Professional certifications or licenses are in high demand from top-caliber employers. If you already have the standard certification for your industry, contemplate how to supplement your current education.
For example, you might work at a company that offers continuing education reimbursement. If you have a continuing education stipend, you can take a new course, get certified, or get a professional license and get reimbursed. If you work at a company that offers this employee benefit, you should take advantage of this opportunity.
You could use this time to take a masterclass on a new technology, a new certification course, or a professional lecture series on a new industry.
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5. Consult a Recruiter
Now that you have crafted your resume, spruce up any blind spots, and know exactly what you are looking for, it is time to talk to a professional recruiter.
Some recruiting and staffing firms offer industry-specific expertise, while others can be more broad-based. You can even narrow down your search to recruiters who specialize in local markets or open the search on a more national level.
- National Recruiting Firms have many offices nationwide and extensive reach. They could be great for finding in-person, hybrid, and remote work. These companies offer more of a shotgun approach to applying for positions but can give you high levels of exposure.
- Regional and Local Recruiting Firms have a pulse on local markets and know what regional and local companies are actively hiring. These recruiting firms provide insightful tips into in-house recruiting tactics and hiring manager temperaments. Their knowledge can be extremely helpful.
- Executive Recruiting Firms help place managers, vice presidents, and C-suite executives. Some even specialize in building our boards of directors for companies. Depending on where you are in your career, these recruiters have a keen sense of what specific skill sets and experience will take you to the next level.
Talking about what you want for your career with a recruiter can elucidate what you want out of your career. Then, the recruiter can present you with their current opportunity set and might even suggest how your skillset matches searches that have come across their desk.
6. Select Your References
Once you find a recruiter you enjoy working with, they will ask you for several items to start your search. Part of a complete package that is presented to companies is your resume, cover letter, and reference lists.
You should consider who you want on your reference list. This can be former managers, employees, clients, or peers. Your list of references should validate your skillset, work ethic, and overall agreeableness as an employee.
Curate your list to three or five people who you believe will speak well on your behalf. The next step is to let them know you have included them as a reference and ensure they are comfortable being included in the process.
7. Crush the Interview
With your completed candidate package in hand, you will start submitting job applications for positions that match your criteria. From there, you will start receiving requests to interview for jobs.
This phase of getting a new job involves interpersonal skillsets. It involves meeting with hiring managers in person or over Zoom. You want to make sure you are appropriately dressed for your interview, which usually involves at least business casual attire. Being on time or ahead of time for these meetings will signal that you are a serious candidate.
Research the company, hiring manager, and what they are looking for in a candidate. You can consult your recruiter to brainstorm questions you can ask during the process to highlight your level of insight and diligence.
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8. Negotiate Your Offer
Getting a job offer will probably take multiple interviews. In fact, there is only an 8.3% chance of getting a job interview from one application. So, the more places you apply to, the better your chances of getting an interview are.
Once you finish the interview, you will start receiving job offers. These offer letters will include your new title, starting salary, bonus percentages, equity compensation structures, employee benefits, and more. Analyze the compensation package on a holistic basis and ensure it is what will make you happy.
Once you have found the job you want, you can sign on the dotted line and discuss your start date. From there, you can define what success will look like.
9. Define Success
The first 100 days of a new job dictate how your fellow employees feel about you in the long term. First impressions matter tremendously, so creating an action plan to win the hearts and minds of your fellow employees will behoove you in the long run.
Defining what success looks like in those first couple of months with your manager or boss will alleviate the pressure of the unknown. Additionally, it allows you clarity in developing a strategic plan for execution.
During this process, you will make new friends, establish business relationships, and better understand how the business operates. Understanding the inner workings of the business will set you up for even more success.
Smart Summary
Getting a new job can quickly broaden your career prospects, especially if your new role has an upgraded title and compensation package. Remember to negotiate with your future employer in good faith because win-win sets you both up for a great start to your newfound relationship. Higher salaries can help you save money, start investing, buy a new home, and put your money to work earning passive income. The boundaries are endless with a fresh start.
Frequently Asked Questions
You shouldn’t have to pay anything out of pocket to consult or work with a recruiter. Generally, the business hiring you pays the recruiter a fee if you are hired eventually. All you must do is cream the interview and negotiate your compensation package.
Having multiple income streams will keep you distanced from the paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle. Depending on how demanding your day job is and what your letter of employment states, you can pick up a side hustle and earn more income to save for an emergency or slush fund, a down payment on a house, or invest.
The general rule of thumb is to have all your significant accomplishments on one or two pages of a resume. Since your resume is designed to highlight your key achievements, listing out all your accomplishments furthers your application. Instead, curate your top accomplishment.
(1) American Psychological Association. 2024 Work in America Survey. Last Accessed January 14, 2025.
(2) Harvard Business Review. When New Hires Get Paid More, Top Performers Resign First. Last Accessed January 14, 2025.
(3) Flexjobs. How Long Should a Job Search Take? Last Accessed January 14, 2025.
