Securing your professional big break or finding that next great job opportunity can be an incredibly stressful journey. Especially if you've recently changed careers, invested heavily in rope access training, and stretched your finances to the limit. How do you land your next job before the next rent check is due?
At Pacific Ropes, we receive a lot of resumes (Check out our current job openings here! ). We often need to be efficient with our process, so while we want to be thorough, applications that stand out are the ones that grab our attention first. Based on our experience, here are some tips on how you can get an edge on your application process.
.png?width=1000&height=1200&name=10%20steps%20to%20securing%20a%20job%20Blog%20Image%20%20(2).png)
Let's dive into each step!
1. Research Industries
Get to know your job. Before sending out your resume, familiarize yourself with the industry the job is related to. What qualifications do people need? What qualities and skills do you need in order to succeed? Do most people belong to a union? How do people advance? Each industry will have its own parameters in which they exist by. Get to know them in order to best present yourself to future employers.
2. Research Companies
Get to know the employers. Next, you’ll want to get to know your future employers. Which companies are leaders in the industry? Which ones are starting out? What do these companies care about? Aligning your values will put you ahead of your competition. Employers want people who care about their company. Learn their hiring seasons. The best time to send a resume is right before hiring begins.
3. Prepare a Resume
Write a resume. Create a standout resume to grab employers' attention. Use reverse chronological order for jobs, education, and certifications. Include action verbs like 'Managed,' 'Supervised,' and 'Assisted.' Check for spelling errors and highlight experiences matching the company's values. Tailor your resume to each job, showing you care about their objectives.
4. Prepare a Cover Letter
Introduce yourself. Submit a cover letter to expand on your resume and the qualifications in the job description. Focus on the company's objectives and how you can meet them.
5. Be Open Minded
Apply for everything. Don’t expect your perfect job immediately. Starting out, gain experience without being picky. Any job provides insight, skills, connections, and experience. One job can lead to the next, and you won’t know what it's like until you try. A seemingly undesirable job might reveal hidden skills.
6. Network
It's about who you know. Networking is essential for building industry connections, enhancing your reputation, and accessing job leads. It offers growth opportunities through training and mentorship, and increases visibility. Many positions are filled through referrals, and from an employer‘s perspective, referrals from reliable techs is valuable information. A larger network also allows for support, collaboration, and learning.
7. Follow Up
Connect again. Submitting your resume is just the first step—don't stop there. Follow up! Employers receive numerous resumes, and yours could be forgotten if sent when they're not hiring. Following up keeps you top of mind and increases your chances of being called back first. Follow-up methods include emails, social media messages, phone calls, and in-person meetings. Stay proactive to stay memorable.
8. Social Network
Use social media. Stay connected to people in your industry and to stay up to date with company updates. Revise your social profiles to present yourself professionally. Even if it’s a personal account. Use social media as another way to meet people and increase your network.
9. Self Educate
Be better. A rope access certificate isn’t enough. Depending on the industry and employers you want to work for, you may need to have extra training, skills, and certifications. Spend the time and money to invest in this extra education so that you become the ideal employee that everyone wants.
10. Work Hard
Give it your all. Once you land your first opportunity, give it all you’ve got. If you work hard, be a good team player, remain positive, and go beyond what is expected, you’ll get called back. Opportunities will arise when you do a good job.
11. Bonus Tip
Treat finding a job like a full time job. This process demands your time, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills. Rushing through it can result in frustration, submitting low-quality resumes/cover letters, and feeling discouraged when employers don't respond. Give yourself enough time and take the application process seriously to avoid these pitfalls.
The Rope Access job market, while expanding with more opportunities, remains highly competitive. Focus on applying for multiple jobs that genuinely match your qualifications, not just the most appealing ones. This requires honest self-assessment of the skills and experience you can bring to any new employer.
A Rope Access certification alone may not suffice. If you're not getting responses after numerous applications, consider researching additional skills, certifications, or experience that could make you a stronger candidate for the job you desire. Register to train with us, whether it is to get your Level 1, 2, 3 certificate, Petzl PPE Inspector Certification, Fall Protection, Tower Training - we have a wide range of training options to give you a competitive edge.
