7 Important Steps To Conduct A Job Search By Skills

Updated 21 August 2023

Your skills can play a significant role in finding a suitable job. Searching for jobs based on your skills can help tailor your resumes and cover letters to an organisation and role. Learning how to conduct a job search by skills can help you find a role suitable for your skills and interests. In this article, we discuss how to conduct a job search by skills and provide helpful steps to assess your skills or abilities.

How To Conduct A Job Search By Skills

Here are some steps that can help you conduct a job search by skills:

1. Identify your interest

Assess your traits and abilities to decide your career path. You can write your field of interest and hobbies alongside your skill set. Identifying your strengths can help you find your most-valued skills. Write all your abilities together that are relevant to the industry that interests you the most. You can also participate in a career quiz or take help from a mentor or career coach. Performing self-assessment can benefit you when applying for a job.

2. Take help from online portals

Some online platforms can allow you to search for jobs relevant to your skills. You can filter your job search depending on a particular skill. For example, you can search ‘jobs for people with computer skills' and explore different options. Many companies post online ads when they have an opening. You can search for current openings and select the job you like. Make sure you review the job descriptions and skills requirements before applying for the role.

With the help of some online portals, you can search for jobs without needing visit offices. Understanding the keywords related to the job you are interested in can also make it easy for you to use job search portals. You can upload your resume on the portal and send it to the most suitable job positions available.

3. Ask for other's suggestions

When asking others for job suggestions, be specific about your requirements and the skills you wish to offer. It can become easier for others to help you if they know your abilities. While you ask others for job advice, it can also be helpful to discover jobs on your own. You can also consider showing gratitude, becoming prepared and following up on the suggestions. Networking and connecting with professionals in your industry can benefit you in improving your skills and getting better job opportunities.

4. Select a job from the list

After going through the list of different job postings, find a job that matches your skills. Look closely and research each job on your own from the list. Research about the organisation as it can provide you with more important details related to the job. This can also help in removing the jobs that seem irrelevant to your educational background and skills. Once you select a job, check the salary offered for the position and what other requirements the company looks for in candidates.

5. Read the job description carefully

After conducting the job search, carefully read the job description. A job description is information that recruiters provide for job seekers relating to a role. It can help you in finding the skills that are essential for getting the job. You can match those skills with your abilities and evaluate if you are a suitable candidate. Finding relevant skills and mentioning those as keywords on your resume can help you get invited to an interview. Aside from the skills, also review the expected responsibilities for the role.

6. Search for related jobs

Many online search portals work on an algorithm that shows different search results based on the keywords you input. Looking at related job roles can help you learn more about your abilities and introduce you to the skills that are in demand in the industry.

While searching for a suitable job, be sure to maintain focus on your skills, connect with your contacts and use job search tools and apps. Conduct research on the companies you wish to work for, their hiring process and the employees who work there. It can help you to understand the principles and goals of the company and what they look for in the employees.

7. Attend a job fair

You can also attend job fairs and explore various job openings in your industry. Many colleges and companies host job fairs where you can interact with different employers and other professionals. Before attending a job fair, prepare a well-formatted resume and list all your relevant skills. You can also attach a cover letter and portfolio to your resume. Many employers conduct mini-interviews during job fairs. Be sure to dress professionally and prepare for these short interviews. After the job fair, you can send a follow-up email to the employer to maintain contact and remind them of your interest.

How To Assess Your Skills

Assessing your skills can provide many benefits in finding a job and getting invited to a job interview. Here are some helpful steps to assess your skills and learn more about your professional strengths:

1. Reflect on your current job

Reflecting on your current job can be a good starting point in assessing your skills. Check the job description for your position and review the mentioned skills. It can also be helpful to review technical and other skills that you learned during your schooling and degree courses. If you are unable to find the job posting for your current position, then conduct research on similar job postings in your industry to learn more about the requirements.

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2. Identify your soft skills

The next step can involve evaluating your soft skills as these are the abilities that can add value to your professional experience. Soft skills may include critical thinking, analytical thinking, leadership qualities and verbal communication skills. Analyse some of your best soft skills and determine how you apply them in the workplace.

You can analyse your problem-solving skills by asking yourself if you are able to solve conflicts or issues between coworkers. Find skills that show how well you perform under pressure and your ability to adapt to unexpected changes. Highlighting such skills on your resume and during the interview can help present you as a suitable candidate.

3. Analyse your performance review

Candidates who have current employment can show their professional skills by presenting an appraisal from their managers. You can review your old performance reviews and pay attention to both your strengths and weaknesses. Asking yourself what steps you took to improve your skills can be very helpful. You can add testimonials and references from your past work experience to your career portfolio.

You can also ask your previous managers for feedback about your skills and strengths. Your current and past coworkers may provide you with the right feedback to help develop your job applications. Asking clear questions can help you get honest feedback regarding your work.

4. Take an online test

There are several online tests that allow candidates to understand their interests and check their emotional intelligence. Keep the job role in your mind while answering questions as it can help you to answer in the most relevant way. Participating in online assessment tests can help you learn more about your strengths and weaknesses. You can also get some suggestions for applying to jobs that may suit your skills.