Job seekers have all the power right now. Here are our 5 best tips for finding a career you love.

[Business Insider]

• This summer is the best time to be looking for a new job.
• Employers are looking to woo workers with signing bonuses and other perks.
• Insider’s compiled a helpful guide for anyone searching for a new role this summer.

The job market is on fire right now.

After a steep decline at the beginning of the pandemic, employers are finally beginning to hire again. And they’re hiring a lot. On July 16, job postings on Indeed were up 36.4% above where they were on February 1, 2021, the pre-pandemic baseline. There were 9.2 million open jobs in the US at the end of May, the most recently available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated. 

Moving jobs is also a great way to make more money. A 2017 Nomura analysis found that people who had changed jobs earned roughly 1% more year over year than people who stayed with the same employer.

It’s a job seekers’ market, and some employers are working to woo workers with incentives such as bonuses and new employee benefits.

There’s never been a better time to look for a job, and Insider has compiled a helpful guide for anyone looking for a new opportunity.

Quitting shouldn’t be your first move if you’re unhappy 

Maybe you don’t want to leave your job, but you’re not exactly thrilled with how things are going. Don’t fret, experts said there are simple tweaks you can make to your workday that may help you feel more fulfilled. 

It’s a common problem. Gallup found that 51% of workers in its global analysis of about 112,000 business units were not engaged at work. No wonder 3.6 million US employees left their jobs in May.

But, career experts told Insider, playing to your strengths can help you feel more satisfied at work.

And remember: Don’t be afraid to share feedback with your boss. Chances are that if you’re unhappy, other people are, too. 

When it’s time for a change

Maybe you’ve tried to make things better at your current role, but they aren’t improving. Or maybe you’ve outgrown your role and want to move on.

Regardless, it’s time to launch your job search. 

A good first step is to send some networking messages. Blair Heitmann, a LinkedIn career expert, previously told Insider that your network “is your No. 1 asset as a professional over the course of your career.” 

You can also make key tweaks to your job-application materials that may draw the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. 

And when you’re ready to give your notice, make sure you don’t burn any bridges with your employer. You never know if you may want to return someday. 

Finding the best opportunities

Jobs in human resources and diversity and inclusion are skyrocketing right now. 

HR professionals, for example, are being recruited relentlessly for high-paying roles, experts previously told Insider. Jobs in diversity and inclusion grew 123% between May and September of last year, Indeed data showed.

But these aren’t the only industries worth checking out. It’s important to explore all of your options to find a role that is the best fit for you. 

Asking (and answering) the right questions

You’ve done the work and sent out tons of applications. Now hiring managers are scheduling interviews with you. 

The most common interview question is “Tell me about yourself.” Jacques Buffett, a career expert at the online résumé service Zety, said interviewees should use this question to briefly mention their career history and tell stories of past achievements. 

But it’s also important to know the right questions to ask hiring managers. This could help you get a clearer sense of the company culture.

By Caroline Hroncich