Considering a new role and how to approach it can feel daunting. Often, it’s knowing where to start especially as there are so many things you can do with different outcomes associated. To put yourself in the best position for your next career opportunity, it’s best to make sure you have plans or strategies in place that cover all angles.
We have pulled together some hints and tips that candidates at all levels should consider when searching for a new role.
Maintain your networks on social media – make sure you firstly are connected to old colleagues, contacts, suppliers and stakeholders on LinkedIn and have a plan on how you will engage with your contacts if you are looking for work. These people know you, have probably worked with you and can vouch for your professional capabilities. They are also a source of opportunity and could at any point in the future be working somewhere or know someone that has an opportunity you are interested in and possibly could get a referral fee if you secure a role with their recommendation.
Make yourself visible to recruiters and companies – Publicly and privately you can get to the top of a recruiter or company’s search by updating that you’re open to work. It’s on your profile and takes seconds to do. If you are out of work and are willing to be more public, we recommend using the #opentowork banner on LinkedIn, both of these will significantly increase your chances of having conversations with recruiters, head-hunters and companies directly.
Company websites and job-boards – take time to research where the jobs you are interested in will be advertised and register your details for email alerts. If you have specific companies you want to work for, do the same on their career sites. This will increase your chances of seeing all opportunities you are interested in, even senior management and leadership level jobs will sometimes be advertised on companies career sites.
Work with trusted recruiters and search firms – all recruiters were not created equal so work with the ones you trust, have had good experiences with and can create opportunity for you. You will over time decide who you believe can help you the most but our advice is also see these contacts as long term relationships. They may not have the roles for you now but could at any point in the future.
Be aware of your social media presence and your personal brand – we are by no means experts on this, and the reality is everyone’s perspectives on this differ. So, our advice is know what your online presence looks like and make sure you are happy with how you appear publicly. Social media is a powerful marketing tool for you in your search for a new role so do consider whether you want to become more active by posting, liking and commenting on content – this will put you in front of mind with your network and increase your reach.
Be organised – keep a track of what you are applying for, and find ways to make sure you follow up with all applications, recruiters and contacts in your network. Absolutely follow everything up even if nothing is coming back from the recruiter or internal recruitment team. By being tenacious and organised you remain in the process, you also become more memorable so it can aid you being considered faster especially if there is high interest.
Tailor your CV – we don’t advocate re-writing your CV at the drop of a recruiter’s hat however what we do advise is to exercise your own judgement whether your CV is right each time you apply for a role. If you believe adding or removing content will give you a better chance of success, it’s worth the investment of time amending your CV.
Always be prepared for the unexpected – this may sound vague and that’s intentional. Things go wrong sometimes whether its tech failures, trains cancelled, or a meeting over-running so be prepared to manage a crisis, remain calm and navigate the issue to showcase your skills in a crisis.
Finally, and most importantly – treat others how you expect to be treated and be kind. Everyone you will interact with has some stake in the decision-making process from the recruiter to the CEO so bear this in mind. No matter how suitable you are, how you have excelled in the process or you’re sure you will get the role, we can tell you from experience the interactions you have at all stages of the process are critical to you getting the job.
There are so many things we can do in a job search, what have we missed and what do you do? If you are looking for advise, guidance or a sense check on your approach contact Mark directly and book in some time for a conversation to see how we can help you secure your next great opportunity.
Mark
07900557982