Don’t forget the thank you note: four key points to land your dream job

You embark on a job search because you want a new (better) position, or you simply need a job, but one that is fulfilling.

It’s the very opposite of an ‘enjoy the journey’ endeavour.

You’re not in it because of the joys of interviewing: you’re sticking it out for the end result.

With that in mind, here are four hard job search truths you’re going to have to accept in order to be successful.

You need to reach out to your network

There are lots of reasons why people want to skip this step.

They want to ‘do it for themselves’. They don’t want to be seen as ‘users’. They find networking to be terribly awkward.

But more than three-quarters of jobs are found through networking, referrals count for almost half of all new hires, and hundreds of people will apply for an average open position.

This means that being in touch with others is a crucial part of finding the right role, getting your application seen, and can even increase your chances of landing an offer.

You need to complete the application

The answers you submit through that cumbersome form are probably going right into an applicant tracking system, so if you give one-word responses, your materials might not get filtered through the system for human review.

Regarding cover letters, done poorly, there’s no big deal at all.

Done well, a cover letter gives you the chance to speak directly to how your skills and experience line up with the specific job you’re pursuing. It also affords you an opportunity to hint to the reviewer that you’re likable, original, and likely to fit in around the place should you land the job.

So, take the time to cross your Ts, dot your Is, and complete every part of the application.

You need to prepare for your interview

I’m not saying this to increase your pre-interview jitters, but the truth is, you are being graded based on your answers.

Like any test, if you come in well prepared, you’ll feel more confident. If you give solid answers to those initial, predictable questions, you’ll establish a rhythm that’ll help you feel more comfortable (and ready to answer something less-expected as well).

If you decide to wing it and stumble over the first several responses, you’ll spend the rest of the meeting preoccupied with the idea that you need to make up ground. And yes, you need to research the company, too.

You need to send a thank you note Put plainly, it can make all the difference.

Yes, you might’ve met with a hiring manager who thinks thank you notes are old school, but you could also have one who simply won’t hire a candidate—no matter how perfect they are—if they skip this step.

So, you must play it safe and send one.

Looking for a job isn’t easy. It takes time, it takes effort, and it takes a willingness to accept that not all of the steps are things you’ll look forward to (or think make sense or even consider fair). But, you have remember that they will help you reach your goal, and when you get to go to work at your new job, it’ll be worth it.