If you've started this new year with a new job or career path in mind, you're not alone. You're actually of the majority! The past few years have opened many eyes to different standards of professional life. At this point, it's safe to say that whatever your workplace desires are can be found, but how exactly can you find it? We've compiled five ways to prepare for a job search in 2022 below.

1. Outline your wants and needs.

It's hard to pinpoint what you want out of your next job if you don't write it down. Try outlining your wants and needs by splitting the two into their respective categories. "Wants" are what you would consider a bonus to your work situation, and "needs" are non-negotiables. The sky is the limit, and the current job market is in your favor as a candidate. Go for what you want and need!

2. Polish your resume.

Revisiting your resume can be one of the scariest parts of re-entering the job pool. There are so many resources available to assist you in generating a standout resume. Try visiting a website like myperfectresume.com to get your template started. As you begin to refresh your resume, make sure you include details that pertain to the type of job you want next. For example, rather than listing your work experience in chronological order, list it from the highest relevance to the position you are trying to land. 

3. Filter your job search.

There are a lot of open jobs on the market right now. The more you filter a search to your needs (which you have already listed above in step 1), the less you will have to sift through positions that won't appeal to you. After you have filtered your search, make sure you create job alerts for the companies or job titles you are most interested in. What you're looking for with your dream company might not be available right now, so it never hurts to keep tabs on them for the future. 

4. Engage with recruiters.

Of course, we have to make an entire section about engaging with recruiters. We're OakTree Staffing! We cannot stress this enough: it is literally a recruiter's job to find you a job. You will want to do a little research to find which staffing firm is the right fit for you. First, try finding an agency that is specific to your industry. For example, OakTree is a staffing agency specializing primarily in IT (Information Technology). On top of our recruitment training, we teach our recruiters about the day-to-day functions of job titles within the IT sector. When you work with recruiters who know what skillset to hire for a specific position, you will have more success with landing interviews. A great recruiter will help you with every step, from defining your wants/needs to accepting the right job offer.

5. Apply, apply, apply!

You might be curious about what you can achieve on your own after following the steps above, and we encourage you to go for it! Apply for job descriptions that meet your needs and fit the skillset displayed in your polished resume. The worst that can happen? They either don't respond or let you down easily. The best? After a few successful interviews, you have multiple job offers on the table. The more you apply, the more odds are in your favor. 

2022 is the year to find a job that works for you as much as you work for it. The time is now to get what you deserve. If you have any questions about our recruiting process at OakTree Staffing, contact us!