Three Things to Focus on in Your 2014 Job Search

As an administrative or clerical professional, research is likely one of your skill sets. You know how to find jobs, but spending all your free time with the search engines and career sites leads to burn out. Success isn't just about knowing how to find jobs, either. Once you locate leads, you still have to land the interview. In 2014, focus on efficient searches, expand your definition of opportunity, and impress employers.

One of the most common job search tips for 2014 involves putting the search engines to work for you so you can spend less time narrowing down the field. Understanding how to find jobs using search engine query logic reduces the time you spend squinting at hundreds of unrelated results. Trim excess results on search engines like Google by removing keywords you don't want returned. An executive assistant might search for administrative assistant jobs but not want to see results for receptionists. The search terms in that case would be something like "executive administrative assistant –receptionist." Placing the minus sign in front of a keyword tells the search engine you aren't interested in results that include that phrase.

Use locations in parenthesis to help locate jobs in your area. If you want to know how to find jobs for a specific company, search Google using keywords for the position with the phrase site:companyURL. Searching for a receptionist with Virginia-based hospital chain Carilion would require the search "receptionist jobs site:carilionclinic.org".

Creativity is another popular job search tip for 2014. Use professional creativity on résumés and cover letters, but also think creatively about job opportunities. Consider new options and ideas to expand the list of available jobs, and don't rule out temporary employment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of available jobs in administrative and waste services increased by 15,000 in November 2013, but that trend is due in part to heavy reliance on temporary services. Temporary employment may provide access to companies you wouldn't have on your own, and temps who excel are often converted to full-time staff members.

Once you've figured out how to find jobs and compiled a list of possibilities, prepare to wow potential employers with strong results and cover letters. Ensure your résumé is on-point, unique, and free of grammar errors. Always include a cover letter, but don't use it to reiterate the same information covered in your résumé. Instead, be personable and speak specifically to the employer and opportunity for which you are applying.

Knowledge about how to find jobs is essential to a successful search, but admin pros usually have to do some work to land a job. Concentrate on quality searches, think outside the box, and take time to polish your résumé before sending it to potential employers.

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