As the calendar turns to a new year, you may be about to begin the exciting journey of finding a new job. Whether you’re looking for a career change, seeking better opportunities, or simply wanting a fresh start, the beginning of the year is an ideal time to kickstart your job search. In this post, we’ve put together some great tips to help you navigate the ever-evolving job market and land that dream job.
Reflect on your goals and skills – Before diving headfirst into the job search, take some time to reflect on your career goals and assess your skills. Consider what aspects of your current or past roles you enjoyed and what you’d like to change in your next job. Identify your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This self-reflection will not only guide your job search but also help you tailor your applications to positions that align with your aspirations and abilities.
Tailor Your CV to each job – Top of the list and we can’t stress this enough! Even though many of the roles you apply for will be similar, no two jobs are the same. Tailor your CV to reflect the requirements of each job, after all, it’s better to send one strong, targeted application than ten poor applications.
Update your online presence – Do your social profiles position you as a strong candidate for your ideal job? Recruiters actively search for candidates on LinkedIn, so you can’t afford not to have a presence here. It’s also worth asking previous managers to provide a recommendation, this gives recruiters the confidence to trust you.
Example your skills – People tend to remember engaging stories and examples over lists of facts. Plan ahead by identifying personal experiences or accomplishments that highlight the skills needed for a certain job. Add these to your cover letter and use them during interviews.
Follow up an interview – After an interview, reinforce your interest in the job by sending a note of thanks to the panel. If you presented some examples of your work during the interview, include them in the email too. This allows the hiring manager to look at you again and makes you more likely to stand out.
The “What are your weaknesses?” question – Yes, some interviewers still ask this question. Avoid the “perfectionist” answer, instead, tell the truth! Select a topic that you’re actively working to improve or have improved. Share what you’ve done or are doing to overcome it and the impact it’s had.
Include a Cover Letter – A good cover letter is just as important as your CV which is great at providing the details of your previous roles and responsibilities, but it’s your cover letter that tells prospective employers who you are, showcases why they should hire you, and helps you to stand out above all the other candidates. Pro tip – Make sure your cover letter is unique to each application!
Do your research – If you get an interview, make sure to get up to speed on the company, its products, services and management. Good research helps you to answer the question of why you want to work there and reflects your enthusiasm for the role. It also allows you to prepare good questions for your interviewer.
Evaluate your transferable skills – You probably have many ‘transferable skills’ that lend themselves to a variety of different roles, these might include communication, conflict resolution, planning or problem-solving. Think about yours and add them to your CV, then example them in your application.
Invest in continuous learning – Show your prospective employer that you’re proactive by investing time in expanding your skill set and upskilling yourself. Whether it’s attending online webinars or completing courses, there are plenty of resources out there to help you get the ball rolling.
Own your key messages – It’s a good idea to have two or three key points that you want to make about what you have to offer during your interview. These are the points that you want the interviewer to remember about you. So try and work them in naturally whenever you can, even in the first few minutes.
Preparing for a video interview – Ensure your environment is well-lit and distraction-free. Do a ‘dummy run’ to make sure your technology is working before you start and remember that although you’re at home, it’s still an interview. Wear professional, office-appropriate clothing and have your CV and any notes in front of you.
Letters of recommendation – Recommendation letters from previous managers can be a handy thing to have. Not all applications require them, but there’s nothing wrong with sending them on to the hiring manager after your interview as a way of further highlighting your skills and helping you to stand out.
What happens in Vegas could cost you the job – Google yourself, what do you see? Check your socials and make sure your profile picture is something your mum or dad would be happy with. It may sound extreme, but your online activity could cost you a job. Remember it’s not about hiding who you are, but something that might be funny or innocuous to your Facebook friends may resonate differently with others.
Know how to listen – Good listening will help you to have a great interview and also show that you are someone who can listen. In an interview, it’s important to know when to talk, when to stop talking and when to ask questions. When you practise answering questions with a friend or family member, don’t forget to also practise listening carefully and closely without interrupting.
Have daily job-related goals – Getting a new job is no easy feat! It takes a great deal of time and effort, and there can be months of prepping, applying, researching and interviewing! It can be easy to get distracted too, so focus on achieving daily tasks. For example, don’t leave all your applications for one day in the week, it’s better to apply for one or two jobs a day than being faced with 10 to apply for in one go!
Be Adaptable and persistent – Job searching can be a rollercoaster of emotions with its fair share of challenges. Be adaptable to changes in the job market, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Stay persistent, maintain a positive mindset, and learn from each experience. The right opportunity may take time to materialize, but staying resilient will increase your chances of success.
We hope that these tips will help you set a strategy for finding your next role, be sure to keep an eye on our latest vacancies and our experienced team of consultants are always happy to have a chat and offer advice. You can talk to them on 01908 229589.