If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of the many people that have a challenging time when it comes to finding a new job.
This is a common problem and unless you work in an extremely high-demand industry, job searching is often incredibly frustrating. The thing is, there are plenty of ways to make finding a new job easier on yourself, it just requires putting in some groundwork first.
Below we run through our top tips for finding a new job – whether you’re just starting or you’re an experienced candidate that needs a fresh perspective.
1. Understand what you enjoy and what you dislike
It might sound obvious but you’d be shocked at how many people don’t really understand what they enjoy about their work – they just do it because it’s what they always have. While this can be great if you stay in the same career, if you decide to move at any point it can make the job-searching process much harder, especially if you’re changing careers.
You’ll want to be clear on your strengths and weaknesses, what you enjoy doing and elements of a job that you dislike. By having this understanding, you’re in a better place to find a role that offers job satisfaction.
Remember, don’t just think about money and benefits. You’ll want to consider other aspects such as company culture, your surroundings, working styles and more.
2. Build yourself a brand
This doesn’t work for everyone but if you’re someone that enjoys social media and regularly seems to engage with people on platforms such as LinkedIn, why not make use of that?
Creating a personal brand is as easy as regularly communicating with people online in the way that you want to be interpreted. If you want to be seen as the authority on a certain subject, try to politely and professionally engage with people talking through these subjects.
Remember that everything you do online is permanent. While being positive and knowledgeable can help your job search, being negative can hinder it – especially since recruiters and hiring managers now scan social media channels as standard.
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3. Leverage your contacts
We’ve already discussed the importance of networking but it can’t be understated how much a large, engaged network of contacts can help you find new job opportunities.
This tip is especially important for more experienced candidates that have already built a large network of contacts but it holds true for everyone.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to people you know – including those online – that might be able to help you find a new job.
In most cases, hiring managers would love to have someone recommended to them by an existing employee rather than sorting through countless applications.
4. Work with the right recruiter
If you choose to work with a recruitment agency, make sure that you choose the right partner.
Having an experienced and knowledgeable recruitment consultant in your corner can be a positive influence throughout your entire career, not just when you’re finding a new job.
This is why we’re so focused on offering a complete, unified service that doesn’t revolve around commission. We work with both candidates and clients to prioritise a culture match, as this is what leads to long-term, successful relationships.
When you choose to work with a recruiter, make sure you perform your research just like you would working with any other third party.
5. Don’t limit yourself to online job boards
While it’s tempting to simply run through some of the larger job websites out there and fill in hundreds of applications, you might find more success looking elsewhere.
Take the time to research companies and consider applying directly to the relevant person if you’ve found the ideal role for you.
Likewise, recruiters often host jobs on their own sites which you can directly apply for. This not only separates you from all of the applications on a larger job site but also puts you in touch with a recruiter, which can be a great resource during the job search.
6. Create effective application documents
One of the best ways to find a job quickly is to make sure that you’re fully prepared and have the right documents you need.
Elements of an application such as a CV, cover letter, portfolio and personal statement are all tools that can help you stand out in a crowded market.
By making sure they’re formatted correctly, contain all of the necessary skills and are up-to-date, you put yourself in the best position to experience a successful application.
You can find more about creating the perfect CV or writing your personal statement in the CV Guidance section of our resources here.
7. Tailor your application to each individual job
One of the biggest mistakes people make when finding a new job is not being specific enough. Having a single CV that you send to every open job position won’t cut it anymore. If you’re applying for multiple roles, tailor your CV, cover letter and personal statement to the job description of the role.
This is relatively easy to do as all of the information you need is in the job description, you just need to make the right changes.
A great way to get into this habit is by creating a flexible document template that can be easily edited when you’re changing out skills, qualifications or achievements depending on the role.