What are some effective job search strategies for adult learners?

1 Identify your goals and skills

Before you start looking for jobs, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what you can offer. Think about your short-term and long-term career goals, your values, and your interests. Then, assess your skills, qualifications, and achievements. You can use tools like the Skills Matcher or the CareerOneStop Competency Model to identify your strengths and gaps. You can also create a skills inventory or a SWOT analysis to summarize your abilities and areas of improvement.

4 Research the market and the employers

To succeed in your job search, you need to know the trends, demands, and expectations of the market and the employers in your field or industry. You can use online resources like the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the O*NET database, or industry-specific websites to learn about the skills, qualifications, and salaries of different occupations. You can also research the companies you are interested in, their culture, values, mission, and goals, and their current projects, challenges, and opportunities.

5 Prepare for interviews and assessments

Once you get invited for an interview or an assessment, you need to prepare yourself to showcase your fit, competence, and enthusiasm for the job. As an adult learner, you have the benefit of having real-world examples, stories, and achievements that you can use to demonstrate your skills and knowledge. However, you also need to practice your communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills, and anticipate the questions and scenarios that you may encounter. You can use online tools like the Interview Simulator or the CareerOneStop Assessment Center to help you prepare, or ask a career coach or a friend to mock-interview you.

6 Follow up and evaluate

After you complete an interview or an assessment, you need to follow up with the employer and express your gratitude and interest. You can send a thank-you email or a note within 24 hours, restate your qualifications and value, and ask about the next steps. You can also follow up again after a week or two if you don't hear back, but don't be too pushy or desperate. You also need to evaluate your performance and identify what went well and what you can improve for the next time. You can use online tools like the Interview Feedback or the CareerOneStop Evaluation to help you reflect, or ask a career coach or a mentor for feedback and advice.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?