Are you feeling unsatisfied in your current job? Do you want to look for something new, but are worried that there might be some truth to the saying “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”? Taking a leap into a new career path can be incredibly intimidating, but thankfully it’s becoming easier than ever to get information on what a workplace is like before you even apply. If you think you’re ready to start a new job, here are some tips for finding and securing the perfect career for you.

Do Your Research on Employers

There are plenty of resources nowadays that allow you to get to know a workplace before you apply, helping you decided whether or not it’s a good fit. On hiring websites like Indeed, past employees can write reviews about their experiences in the time that they were with the company. These past employees are also asked to give ratings on categories like work and life balance, compensation and benefits, job security and advancement, management, and culture. These ratings are then averaged to give the workplace an overall rating out of five stars. This feature is a great tool for anyone searching for a job, since they give real insight into what goes on in the workplace. Maybe the compensation and benefits that a job offers are a priority for you, in which case you might not care about a poor work and life balance. Whatever your preference is, these reviews and ratings can help you decide if a job is really right for you.

Something that should always be a priority when looking for a new job is finding an employer that truly cares about the well-being of their employees. Look for a workplace that has clear safety measures in place to prevent work-related injuries. You should also pay attention to the health care plans that an employer provides. You might typically think to immediately look for things like medical, dental, and vision plans, but you should also pay attention to how employers help workers who are struggling with their mental health. If there is poor coverage for these kind of health problems, or if there seem to be an abnormally high number of employees in the workplace who are struggling with stress, depression, and anxiety, then it might be best to avoid applying there.

Believe in Yourself

One of the most important things you can do to increase your chances of being hired for your dream job is to believe in yourself. This might sound super tacky and cliche, but it’s true! Employers love candidates who are confident and personable–ever heard of a personality hire? Showing that you have confidence in yourself tells prospective employers that you’re both capable and won’t be in need of constant instruction or reassurance. Having the ability to confidently interact with your employers also shows that you’ll be able to confidently interact with customers or clients as well. Plus, in an interview, it’s essential that you sell yourself effectively. If you don’t believe you deserve to get the job, then how do you expect the interviewer to?

In addition to having confidence, it’s important that you view yourself as being capable of performing the tasks of any job you apply for–even if you aren’t fully qualified. You might think that applying for jobs you don’t meet all of the qualifications for is just a waste of your time, but you’ll never be able to train and move up if you don’t take a chance. Plus, if you really nail your interview, a prospective employer might overlook a minor detail like the fact that you only have three years of experience working in an office instead of the four that they requested. The way that you present yourself in an interview can sometimes be even more important than what’s on your resume.

Cast a Wide Net

The current state of the job field is incredibly competitive. Depending on where you live and what kind of jobs you’re applying for, you could be up against a hundred other candidates or more. This is why it’s so important that you cast a wide net in your job search. It might be difficult to hear, but the truth is that it’s unlikely you’ll be hired for the first job you apply for, or the second or third. In the current economic climate, it takes the average person about five to six months to find a job. If you want to speed up this process, you need to treat the application process like it’s your full-time job, since your livelihood does depend on it.