Job Search

Career Contessa’s Best Job Search Advice for 2024

Job searching can be difficult and we know it. We compiled our best of job search advice, from resume writing to difficult interview questions (and how to answer them!)

By Career Contessa Team
January 08, 2024

Photo by Brett Sayles

Looking for the best job search advice? We've got you covered!

The job search is one of the most stressful and (hopefully) most rewarding processes we go through in our careers. We're here to make the stressful parts a little less stressful.

First and foremost—don't make the job search about you, as an individual.

It isn't a reflection of your ability or worth—even if it takes you months to find a job. It isn't personal if you get 20 interviews and never get hired. Sure, that might mean it's time to have some introspective moments to see growth opportunities. However, the job search is about finding the right fit. And it's out there, we promise.

Before diving into the practical, actionable advice, read our contributor's reflection on her job search—one where she was rejected from jobs 100 times. Interested in what she has to say about dream careers? We were, too.

Best Advice on Starting Your Job Search

So you're ready to launch your job search. Whether you're unhappy at work, feel like you've outgrown your role, maxed out your learning at your current company, or are thinking about making a career transition—you're ready for something new.

We've got tons of advice on job searching—it's stressful and takes a lot of intentional research and time.

Best Interview Advice

Oooooh, you got the interview.

Each carefully-tailored resume and well-written cover letter is worth it, once you get to the interview stage. (We promise.) But interviews also bring a whole new kind of stress. The sweaty hand, trembly voice kind of stress.

Beyond our interview flashcards to help you prep your answers, we released content to help you with the interview process from start to finish. Prepping, the phone interview, the in-person interview, the post-interview thank you note...all of it.

Job Interview Prep

The In-Person Job Interview

The interview is nerve-wracking, to begin with. The last thing you want is to be caught completely off-guard with questions you aren't prepared to answer. That's why we created our series, "How to Answer Anything," with step-by-step methods to answer the "stumpiest" interview questions.

Finally, remember the interview is a two-way street. While you're busy making yourself as impressive as possible, make sure that you're not ignoring red flags and that you're gleaning as much as you can from the interview process.

After the Interview

Asked back for a second interview? We knew you would be! We have some specific preparations to ensure that you arrive ready for the second round of the job interview. You're so close!

17 Common Second Interview Questions (+ How to Prepare For Them)

Career Growth + Career Transition Advice

Part of why you're job searching is probably because, on some level, you're ready to grow—and that growth might mean you need a new job, a new company, or a new industry.

Maybe that means you need to do a little soul-searching. Maybe you just need new skills. Maybe you really need to hone your personal brand. Maybe you just need to pick other people's brains about what it is they do. Whatever it is, we've got advice for you.

Now, let's talk courses, We have spent the last few years gathering intel, researching, and speaking to readers like you. We have created courses that are customized to power your career—whether you're headed for a management role, making a total career transition, or even if you're feeling stuck and need a little confidence boost. Here are our favorites.

If you're ready to build your personal brand—we can help you from start to finish. We've got a guide to help you create a unique, consistent online persona that reflects you, your achievements, and your goals. If you want hands-on help, we made an entire online course, Digital You, to help you build a website that tells your story—and starts your next chapter.

Have any content ideas for us this year? Questions you need answered? Email us at editorial@careercontessa.com!

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Career Contessa Team

Career Contessa is an online job search and career advice resource. Since 2013, Career Contessa staff have been writing career advice articles on a variety of topics from job search to advancing at work with insight from experts, research-backed tips, and personal stories to help you become more fulfilled, healthy, and successful at work. When tackling big pain points like job search, interviewing, and career transitions, we need all hands on deck. The articles attributed to the team feature hard work, research, and real experience.