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In today’s competitive job market, job seekers from diverse and athletic backgrounds, often face unique challenges and opportunities

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Expanding your job search beyond traditional methods and networking effectively can significantly enhance your chances of landing your preferred job. Here’s how you can maximize your efforts:

[/vc_wp_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”1. Diversify Your Job Board Strategy” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20px|text_align:left|color:%23236488″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_wp_text]

Diversity in job search strategies can lead to remarkable results. While online job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed are valuable, consider niche platforms and industry-specific websites tailored to your career interests.

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Sites such as BuiltIn, Diversity.com and Jopwell cater to various industries and offer specific job postings that may not appear on larger platforms.

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Tip: Reach out to a company contact, even if it’s your first time connecting. Applicants who engage directly with company contacts have a higher chance of receiving a response and advancing in the hiring process. Here are some great follow-up message examples on The Muse.

[/vc_wp_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2252″ img_size=”full” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”2. Leverage Professional Associations and Networks” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20px|text_align:left|color:%23236488″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal” css=””][vc_wp_text]

In my experience as a Director of Student-Athlete Development and Career Coach at various universities, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of broadening job search strategies. One standout example is a former student-athlete who expanded his network through alumni connections and secured three job offers from different companies. He initially chose to start his career with one of these companies but later transitioned to another opportunity from the same pool of offers, where he continues to thrive today and recently received a promotion!

[/vc_wp_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2249″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”3. Utilize Personalized Outreach” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20px|text_align:left|color:%23236488″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal” css=””][vc_wp_text]

Personalized outreach can yield impressive results. Tailor your resume and cover letter for each application to demonstrate your skills and alignment with the company’s values. Incorporate keywords from the job description to increase your chances of passing automated screening processes.

[/vc_wp_text][vc_custom_heading text=”4. Showcase Transferable Skills” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20px|text_align:left|color:%23236488″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal” css=””][vc_wp_text]

Former athletes possess a unique set of transferable skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Highlight these skills in your applications and interviews to differentiate yourself from other candidates.

[/vc_wp_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”5. Track Your Job Search Progress and Adjust Accordingly” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20px|text_align:left|color:%23236488″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal” css=””][vc_wp_text]

Tracking your job search progress is crucial for optimizing your strategy. Here are three free effective platforms that make tracking your job applications easy:

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• Huntr.co: Allows you to track all your job applications in one place, manage pipelines, and collaborate with others. It integrates with popular job boards for seamless import of job postings.
• Jobscan: Helps you tailor your resume to each job application by optimizing keywords and formatting. It provides insights into how well your resume matches the job description and suggests improvements.
• Google Sheets or Excel: Use spreadsheets to create a customized job application tracker. Record application details, follow-up dates, and networking contacts. Set reminders and notes to stay organized throughout your job search journey.

[/vc_wp_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1720442763481{padding-top: 45px !important;}”][vc_column][xzopro_text_with_bg_color text_color=”#ffffff” css=”.vc_custom_1720476876390{margin-bottom: 45px !important;background-color: #0a6db7 !important;}”]By diversifying your job board usage, leveraging networks effectively, and showcasing transferable skills, you can significantly enhance your job search success and open doors to new career opportunities.[/xzopro_text_with_bg_color][/vc_column][/vc_row]