Looking for a job in today’s digital age has become easier—no more sifting through countless job ads in newspapers and magazines or visiting company locations just to send physical resume copies.
However, it’s not exactly a walk in the park. A simple search online can result in hundreds of job openings and listings. Then there are different job search platforms, direct company applications, and staffing agencies. How will you know which of these opportunities would lead you to the career you strive for?
Relying only on a job title can be misleading in many ways. So, how exactly can you find the right position? You need to look beyond job titles!
Pitfalls of Relying Solely on Titles
Using the job title you want as a keyword when searching online can still generate the positions you’re looking for. You may still find opportunities that pique your interest or those that follow your planned career path.
But unfortunately, you can experience significant pitfalls that can negatively affect your job search. This can be very troubling since the more time spent searching for a job, the more money you waste.
1. Similar job titles have varying details.
When looking at job boards, some listings may have the exact same job titles but different job descriptions and requirements. You need to understand that the industry and organization greatly affect the other details of the job requirements. Job titles for one team can have a completely different description in another organization.
For example, the responsibilities and benefits of working as an accountant in a financial institution far outweigh those of working as an accountant in a restaurant. Then there are different focuses like loans, management, and taxation aside from the usual jobs of accountants. Each of these requires different specializations and experiences that you may or may not qualify for.
2. Misleading usage of buzzwords.
Employers usually use buzzwords to generate more engagement with their job openings. This can be a problem when companies use buzzwords that aren’t directly related to the positions they’re filling.
This can create confusion and disappointment for candidates who base their job search only on job titles. Instead of receiving the responsibilities they expected, they would be met with expectations misaligned with their position.
Remember the last time you visited a job search website? There may have been other positions that popped up even though you’re specifically looking for an engineering role. This may have been caused by some of those job openings using the wrong buzzwords.
Read More: A Better Way to Online Job Search
Improving Online Job Search
A strict focus on job titles can restrict your chances of accomplishing your goals. Since job titles, descriptions, and responsibilities for a position can vary per company, it can be hard finding the job that fits your goals perfectly.
It’s best for you to move away from titles and refine your research by considering the following questions to maximize the opportunities available in the job market. Here are some questions you can ask yourself that can help improve your search online.
Read More: 2023 Job Seeking Advice
1. Who do you want to interact with all day?
No person is an island. As a candidate, this suggests that interacting with others will always be a part of your responsibility, no matter what company you join or what position you choose to fill. To be able to refine your job search, first, you need to identify the basics of the job you want. Start with the people who will surround you daily.
- Who do I want as officemates?
- What profession do I want my team members to have?
- Who are the customers I want to work with?
- What will my customers mainly need help with?
- What is my preference about the educational level and lifestyle of the new people I’ll meet every day?
According to an article published in the International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 31 percent of employee retention is based on the environment within the office. 1 And one of the main factors that affect an office environment is the people within it.
2. What do you want to do?
Think critically and create a detailed answer. Imagining yourself simply as an auditor is the same as restricting yourself to specific job titles. Focus more on the activities you would want to do once employed.
- Would you like to focus on analyzing research data?
- Do you see yourself interacting with customers about their financial standing?
- Do you prefer being at the desk all day with limited customer interaction?
- Would you like to lead people in finishing projects or help them improve their skills?
Searching for the job you want is more about knowing the skills you prefer to utilize. In this way, you remain open to all opportunities that match the type of work you want.
3. Where do you want to work?
Let’s say you see yourself helping customers in the field of finance. The venue where you want to work can help broaden the opportunities you consider for your next job.
- Can you imagine yourself in a bank setting, or are you aiming for an office inside a company?
- Which setting related to your industry do you find the most exciting?
When answering this question, consider your previous answers as well. Remember that nothing is too specific since you’re simply identifying your preferences for the job you want. Try to make your responses similar to the ones below:
- I want to be an engineer for an organization focusing on buildings.
- I want to work near my home as a program specialist for a local business.
- I need an office that is near specific establishments like gym, hospital, or a shopping center.
4. Why are those your preferences?
Knowing who you want to work with, what you want to do, and where you want to do it won’t be of any use to your job search if you don’t take the time to ask the reason why you want it. Take your answers and wonder about your motivations behind them.
Performance
- Why do I need to work with financial experts like me?
- Will my performance at work be different if I work with people who aren’t experts in the field?
- What am I hoping to gain from working with them?
Preference
- Why is that the type of work I want to do?
- Am I more interested in the marketing job than in another field of focus?
- What’s the reason behind my interest in specific activities?
- Do I like doing them because they’re the easiest or the hardest tasks to finish?
Environment
- Why do I need to work near these places?
- Does that factor affect my productivity or efficiency?
- What motivates me to choose specific settings more than others?
Your Answers Are Your Valuable Tools
Your responses to the questions above will serve as your best tool for refining your job search. Instead of looking at job titles, focus on the aspects you consider a must-have. Simply asking yourself about your preferences narrows down your search and gives you a better chance of having a fulfilled career.
Remember: be open to different opportunities and consider other jobs that may not fully satisfy your needs while still being critical of the aspects you hold important.
LOOK BEYOND JOB TITLES AND FIND YOUR PURPOSE WITH PEAK PERFORMERS
Here at Peak Performers, we value your capabilities. We believe that you deserve meaningful employment that fully utilizes the skills and talents you offer. Our expertise helps us find the right fit for your preferences, and we strive to connect the perfect employee-employer match.
