Job Search Guide: Resources for Your Next Career Move
Take control of your job search with these tips, strategies, and resources for each stage of your career move.
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Congratulations! If you've made it here you're ready to make a change in your career. To make it easier to take the next step, we've broken down the job search process into key tasks with a wealth of free resources to make your move easier. Bookmark this page to refer to throughout your job search—we'll be adding new resources regularly.
How to choose a career path
Whether you’re entering the job market for the first time or considering a switch to a new role or industry, you’ve got options. Explore in-demand, high-paying jobs based on your desired lifestyle, degree, or target industry with the resources below.
What Job Should I Have? Careers Based on Personality, Strengths, and Interests
What Is an Informational Interview? And How to Make the Most of It
If you've read the above articles and are still unsure which career you'd like to pursue, you might consider taking a career quiz online. Career quizzes can be a great way to brainstorm ideas, but remember that the advice given is limited and impersonal.
Find a job that fits your lifestyle.
We spend a third of our lives at work on average. As you think about what type of job or career path to pursue, it’s worth considering those jobs that both bring you satisfaction and empower you to enjoy the lifestyle you want.
Explore work-from-home jobs.
Browse in-demand career paths.
In these career fields, job candidates with the right skills are often in demand and paid well for their expertise. Start here to learn more about some of these lucrative industries:
Find a career that works for you
Get job-ready with professional-level training and a credential in a high-growth field. Not sure what career is right for you? Explore your options with Coursera Career Academy.
Look for jobs that leverage your degree.
If you already have a degree—or are in the process of earning one—consider these jobs that might align with your degree level or area of study:
How to get a job without a degree
5 Tech Entry-Level Jobs in 2024: No Experience or Commute Required
How to Become a Software Developer (With or Without a Degree)
How to get your first job
A first job represents an opportunity to gain work experience and build skills you can take with you in your future career. These positions are often called "entry-level" or "junior" roles.
How to change careers
We change careers for various reasons: the desire for a new challenge, more advancement opportunities, a bigger paycheck, or a better work-life balance among them. Regardless of when or why you choose to change careers, a shift calls for thoughtful planning.
How to upskill for your next role
When it comes to developing new job skills, a small investment in time and energy can lead to big opportunities in the job market. Small steps add up over time. Most active Coursera learners spend an average of three hours per week building skills that help them pursue their goals. What skill will you build next?
Writing your resume or cover letter
Your resume and cover letter often serve as the first impression potential employers have of you. An effective resume clearly communicates both who you are as a professional and the value you would bring to a company or organization. Make your cover letter or resume shine with these tips:
Providing references
Sometimes, an employer will ask for a list of references—former colleagues or managers, professors, clients, or personal connections—who can speak to your skills, accomplishments, and character. Learn more about who to request as a reference (and how to ask them):
Creating a portfolio
In some industries, data analytics, development, and user experience (UX) design, for example, you may be asked to provide a portfolio as part of your application. Your portfolio is your chance to show off your best work and validate your ability to get the job done.
How to search for jobs
If you already know what career you'd like to pursue and are ready to start searching, these next few sections are for you.
Job search sites
With so many job search sites, it can be difficult to choose one or keep up with several. Here's a list of the five best job search engines, according to Rolling Stone [1]:
1. ZipRecruiter
2. Indeed
3. Monster
5. Glassdoor
You might also consider job search websites geared towards specific industries. For example, Dice is an excellent platform for connecting to tech jobs.
If you've completed a Google Career Certificate on Coursera, you've gained access to the Google Hiring Consortium!
Interviewing
Congratulations! You’ve landed a job interview. This is a big accomplishment that brings you one step closer to that new job title. Interviews can be both exciting and nerve racking. With a little preparation, you can walk into your next interview with confidence.
General interview tips
Prepare for each step of your next interview with key skills, practice questions, and interview best practices:
15 Insightful Questions to Ask a Hiring Manager During Your Next Interview
How to Write an Interview Follow-Up Email: Guide and Samples
Industry-specific interview tips
Practice some common interview questions for your target industry so that you’ll know what to expect on the big day:
Take the next step in your career with Coursera
Whether you want to build job-ready skills or enhance your resume for a career transition, gaining credentials from trusted institutions can help you prepare. Explore certificate programs designed for specific careers on Coursera today. Get unlimited access to 7,000+ learning programs from top companies and universities, including Google, Microsoft, Meta, Yale, and more with a Coursera Plus subscription.
Article sources
Rolling Stone. "Best Job Search Engines 2023, https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/best-job-search-engines-2023-1322411/." Accessed January 25, 2024.
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