Long-term unemployment has become a fairly common situation, But why do we take so long to find a job? Many variables influence, including increasing competition or the shortage of offers in some sectors. These factors cannot be changed or controlled, but we can modify others that, curiously, interfere a lot in our success in finding a job in the tech sector. We can go through with some useful tips.

The first has to do with the inadequacy of competencies to market demands. How long have you not formed into something new? Society evolves along with globalization or New Technologies and you cannot be left behind. Possibly you studied years ago, but it does not work to prove a degree: you have to be on continuous training the second factor is related to the way you are looking for a job.

Now it’s a bit of self-criticism. Do you have a search strategy? Do you apply a routine and are you constant? Do you use all the sources at your fingertips? Have you squeezed your contact network to the maximum?

Do you have an attractive profile in social networks?

These 2 factors, the inadequacy of skills and how to look for a job, have great weight when defining the chances of success. Luckily, it’s up to us to change them.

We propose some keys to get out of long-term unemployment and find a job quickly (be careful, it does not mean tomorrow, nor the day after, but in the short term). Don’t stop putting them into practice!

7 Tips for getting a tech jobs.

1. PLAN YOUR ROUTINE

The people who organize and put a method to their search, are the ones who find a job faster. From when you wake up in the morning until you go to bed at night, there are at least 14 hours. In your hand is that they are productive or that they become downtime and wasted.

The most advisable thing is to design a realistic homework schedule that suits your needs. For example, after breakfast, check the news on job portals and social networks. Then, invest one hour in a proactive search, etc. It is also very useful for you to set goals: make a couple of new contacts on LinkedIn every week, include, at least, a new training every 3 months … it all depends on your situation and needs.

2. FORM SOMETHING NEW

If your curriculum has not fit into any offer during the last months or years, you may not be offering companies what they are looking for.

Propose to incorporate into your candidacy a training that enriches your profile, making it more attractive. How to train? It all depends on the type of position you are opting for, although some fields are always a good idea: new technologies, languages, marketing, and sales techniques, R&D, etc. The SEPE offers free courses to unemployed people to pave the way to employment.

3. COVER THE INACTIVITY PERIODS … WITH VOLUNTEERING!

Does your curriculum have many empty spaces, that is, long periods in which there is no experience or training? If so, it can give the feeling that your candidacy is out of date, so you should get to work. What better way than volunteering! In the first place, you will carry out a productive and useful activity for the society and, also, you will project a good image to the companies, which will deduce that you are a committed, active professional with the ability to work in a team.

In addition, volunteering will increase your self-esteem and network of contacts. In order to choose the volunteer activity, always focus on something you like and what you feel comfortable with. It can be nature, contact with people (with disabilities, the elderly, etc.).

4. BE PROACTIVE

As the popular quote reads: “If the mountain does not go to Muhammad, Muhammad goes to the mountain.” It is not useful to “sign up” for the offers available in all job portals: the difference is made by those who contact companies directly.

Keep in mind that recruiters are looking for motivated and initiative candidates. If you get in touch with them and transfer your desire to be part of their team, you will have demonstrated many of these attributes, without realizing it.

Start by making a list of “target companies”, those in which you would like to work and that fit your training and experience. Become familiar with the profiles they demand and get a phone or email from the Human Resources person. LinkedIn is an excellent channel to contact the company without being invasive.

5. USE SOCIAL NETWORKS AND INCLUDES KEYWORDS

If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile yet … it’s the time! More and more companies use it to recruit their future workers. It is not necessary to have a very high qualification, the most important thing is to have the will to create an attractive profile and make it known. For this, a good idea is to include Keywords or keywords so that they can easily find you.

For example, if you have experience in customer service and are looking for a job in a store, you should know that many companies look for this term in English “store manager”. Include all the keywords that can bring you closer to the position you want to opt for.

6. SOLD ALL CHANNELS FOR EMPLOYMENT SEARCH

Portals, placement agencies, and non-profit organizations, Public Employment Services, Social Networks, and personal contacts. This last route has great relevance, insofar as 8 out of 10 offers are covered with acquaintances. Contact all the people around you who can open the doors of work for you: family, friends, former colleagues … and add new contacts by attending fairs, forums, work meetings, etc.

7. TEST THE WORK INTERVIEWS

If they call you for a job interview, it means that you have passed the curriculum, but it is of little use to go without preparing yourself. Try to master some aspects well:

• The company – What do you know about her? What are your mission, vision and values? The more information you collect, the better you can guide your speech in the interview.
• The job – What position are you requested for? What functions will you have to perform?
• Your candidacy – How can I explain that I am suitable for the position? It is important to show that your qualities fit the requirements for the position. It is also useful to test the answer to certain type questions: what can you contribute to this company?Why do you think we should choose you? Base yourself on your previous skills and experiences to explain why you could add value to the position.

However, above these recommendations, there is an essential: positive attitude. It is the cornerstone of the entire search process. If you feel discouraged, the first step is to invest in your emotional health.

For example: Walking every day in a natural environment, looking for new hobbies (reading, playing sports, learning to cook), not neglecting social relationships, leaning on your relatives and knowing how to alternate the job search with rest.

If you follow these guidelines, surely the job knocks on your door in no time. However, remember that strategies do not give results overnight and that you have to be consistent to have fruitful results.

Good luck!