With a new year comes new opportunities, and what better way to kick off 2024 than stepping into a new job role? Once the festivities are over, many of us are keen to get back into good habits and routines. Forbes claims that January and February are the best time to apply for new roles, with lots of us adding ‘find a new job’ to our long list of New Years resolutions. They also add that companies are likely to be on the lookout for new team members during this time, with budgets for roles being set ahead of a new year.
This post will help you to understand:
- What you are looking for in a job role
- What you need to do to ensure your job search is successful.
1) Define your ideal job role
Before starting your job search, it’s worth asking yourself: “What do I want in a job role?” List out everything you want from a role then make sure anything you apply to ticks your boxes. Your list could include salary expectation, location, and progression opportunities. It could also include more practical requirements related to the duties of the role. Set your expectations from the beginning and it’ll help you shortlist the jobs you want to apply for.
2) Make sure your CV or portfolio is up to date
You’d be surprised how many recruiters receive CVs that haven’t been updated since the dark ages! Don’t make this mistake. Your CV should present your current situation, and include any relevant professional experience. This includes your current and any previous job roles related to the sector you are applying to. You should also add any relevant qualifications or extracurricular activities you have completed that align with your career goals.
While it’s important to present yourself professionally, it’s worth adding a little bit of personality to your CV – this will help recruiters understand whether you’ll be a good fit for a company’s culture. Calling all creative candidates! If you’re applying for creative roles, you’ll likely need to present a portfolio so recruiters and employers can see visual examples of your work. It’s a great opportunity for you to show off what you can do so make sure you choose to present your portfolio in a way that best suits your skills. If videography is your thing, Showreel may be best. If you’re a graphic designer, you may decide to display your work digitally on a website or create a physical printed portfolio. There are lots of different options. Choose the one that shows off your skills and experience best!
3) Optimise your online presence
Ever heard of ‘personal branding’? Growing your online presence can be a really powerful tactic when it comes to a successful job search. Start with LinkedIn – make sure your profile is up to date and details your current and recent job roles and any relevant experience.
Then, get networking! Connect with recruiters and engage with their posts. You could also start sharing your own content. This could be as simple as reposting articles you find interesting that are related to your area of specialism, or even writing your own! The more active you are, the more likely you’ll get noticed by recruiters and potential employers. Position yourself as an expert in your field to show you’re the right person to approach for that new vacancy!
4) Reach out to recruiters
Once you’ve connected with recruiters, drop them a message and say hello! Introducing yourself to recruiters who specialise in the area you are interested in is a great way to put yourself forward for suitable roles. Tell them about your experience and skills, and you’ll likely be top of their candidate list if a suitable role comes up.
5) Develop your interview skills
There’s no denying that interviews can be tough. It’s normal to feel nervous but you’ll feel more confident if you prepare. Develop your interview skills to make sure you are ready when the right role comes along! You can do this by preparing answers for common questions. Some common questions an interview panel may ask include:
- What skills and experience do you have that make you the right fit for this role?
- Talk about a time when you were challenged in a previous role – how did you overcome this?
- How did you add value in a previous role? You could talk about a project you worked on that made a real impact, or you may want to provide some stats to show how your work has improved the business or helped achieve a certain goal
Make some notes on the above points and be sure to include real examples. Providing examples shows you can use your skills in real life situations.
6) Persistence and resilience is key!
Lastly, persistence is essential when it comes to a successful job search. You may not find the perfect role straight away, and there might be occasions where another candidate is simply a better fit. But don’t let this put you off. If you don’t manage to secure the role after an interview, look at this as good experience. Ask yourself how you can improve next time and use the experience to prepare for your next interview. If you don’t secure the role you want, the role may not have been the right fit for you! There are plenty of opportunities out there, and the right one will likely come along when you least expect it! If you found these tips useful, you can find lots of advice on interviews, CVs and more over on our blog.
Check out these 5 mistakes not to make when applying for roles, or have a read of these helpful tips on how to recover from an unsuccessful job interview.
