Done right, a job search can result in collateral benefits
➔ It goes without saying that your primary objective in a job search is finding a job. Although not necessarily directly related to your search, going through the process of the search can yield many more benefits. Recognizing those benefits will help you to truly maximize your experience.
There is no official list. There is no set list. There is no one-size-fits-all list. But it’s incumbent upon you realize that, aside from the obvious, there is much to be gained from a job search.
A job? Yes. But wait. There’s more.
Some of these job search benefits may seem obvious. Others not so much. We’re not going to go into a lot detail here, but you should get the general idea. Here are some collateral benefits that may befall you.
Let’s start with, in order to create your best resume possible, and in order for you to be as well prepared as possible for a job interview, you must know yourself and your abilities. To accomplish this, you’ll probably have to spend some time taking inventory of your strengths, weaknesses, etc.
If you’ve done a good job of evaluating yourself, you may have uncovered some “holes” in your game. To compensate, you may have upgraded your skills; learned new software; been exposed to new equipment, etc. A job search is a good time to learn a lot.
In creating your list of target companies, you may have stumbled upon many more companies that you didn’t know even existed. That knowledge may come in handy down the road. Especially if you (God forbid!) find yourself back in the job market.
A successful job search has perfected the art of networking and, in so doing, you should have made a lot more contacts at companies, in different positions, performing different tasks, etc. The more people you know, the better equipped you’ll be to do your job or to assist if you’re ever in another job search.
Last, but certainly not least, to hone their skills or to network, many job seekers spend a portion of their time volunteering for an organization about which they may have a personal interest. Not only are working to benefit a cause in line with a personal passion, but you’re making yourself into a more valuable potential employee.