Are you spending hours trawling through job adverts? Do you keep applying for roles but don’t seem to be getting any responses? Or, have you found yourself unexpectedly looking for a new employer but just don’t know where to start? We hear you… hunting for a new job can be hard and if you speak to anyone in the know, you’ll quickly learn that it is very rare that the ideal position will just fall into your lap (although wouldn’t it be great if it did!).
Now, in theory it should be simple to get a new role, but your input is the key to success; especially if you want to find the right position. So, you have your end goal in sight, but what are the steps you need to take to get you there? Here are some suggestions that will help you on your road to success:
Start simple
Be clear about what you are looking for. You need to identify your non-negotiables and where there may be room for some room for flexibility. Ask yourself some simple questions, and here’s a tip, write down your answers. This will help you truly analyse your needs and you can refer back to this throughout your journey to ensure you stay on track. Think about salary, location, type and size of company, work hours and flexibility, and perhaps most importantly what is your key motivator; what is driving you to seek a new role. If you are looking for career progression your answers are likely to be very different from someone who has been made redundant and has a sense of urgency about finding their next opportunity.
Do some research
A common mistake people make is to dive straight into their job search and start hitting the apply button for any and all roles. It is much better to get the lay of the land first and work out what roles appeal to you, and more importantly, what positions match your skill set. If you start applying for roles without taking the time to ensure your credentials align, then you may become disheartened when you don’t ever get shortlisted. It is also important that you refer back to your original list; there is no point applying for a role if it doesn’t match your key criteria. It is imperative to read job specifications carefully and in full and take note of any specific qualifications required and what the recruitment process involves. If you notice a specific certification keeps cropping up, then why not obtain this to strengthen your chances?
That said, it is sometimes hard to know what the must haves are, as opposed to the desirables. Another common mistake people make is not applying for a job because they can’t tick every single box on the specification. It is important to focus on the skills you do have, not those you don’t. If you are unsure if you should apply for a role a good tip is to take a highlighter and mark all the things you have experience of or can do. If when you finish, there is more highlighted than not it’s probably worth throwing your hat in the ring. At Selective Recruitment we are always happy to discuss any of our roles with prospective candidates and will be able to guide you on whether you should apply.
Make sure your CV is up to scratch
Now, this one may sound obvious, but we are all guilty of it… just adding to our CV as we go instead of taking the time to review and edit it properly. It may be that after conducting your research there are lots of skills missing from your CV. If they don’t feature, then you risk ending up in the rejection pile.
When was your personal statement written? Have you just been tweaking it as you go? If so, it may be time for a complete overhaul. Your personal statement is your chance to shine; to grasp the reader’s attention and set out your intentions for your next career move. Spending some time on getting this right could make all the difference. If you need support in editing your CV our team of dedicated consultants are always happy to schedule an appointment to help.
Register with a Selective consultant
But job hunting is a lonely and tiresome process I hear you say! It doesn’t have to be, it is much easier with someone in your corner. Especially someone with the knowhow and industry knowledge. Our experienced consultants are always happy to help and are on hand, not just to assist you with CV writing, but to advise on the right type of companies and roles for you, as well as give you honest feedback. They will support you at every step of your recruitment journey and the registration process is simple and hassle free.
Don’t lose momentum or see rejection as a set back
Finding the right role can take time and patience. The hiring process often has a few stages, but it is important to remember that this isn’t about making you jump through hoops. Prospective employers want to ensure that they find the right person for the job, and you should view the process in the same way. As you progress through the application process, the different stages are your opportunity to find out if the job is the right one for you, if the role matches up to the criteria you set out at the onset, and your chance to get to know more about the position and company. If you do receive a knock back, try not to get disheartened, take feedback and keep moving forwards. Rejection can be empowering if you use it to drive you. As the renowned life coach Tony Robbins postulates “The more rejection you get, the better you are, the more you’ve learned, the closer you are to the outcome. If you can handle rejection you will learn to get everything you want”. At Selective we will help guide you along your road to success.
So, you now have the tools to take control of your job search. You are in charge of your destiny; be proactive and remember Selective Recruitment are always here to help.
