Studies show that we are changing jobs more frequently than ever. If you’re thinking about making a career move, or you’ve lost interest in your current role, it can be difficult to know where to go next. You may have ideas about what you want to do or where you want to be, but it’s not always easy to execute the next steps. In this guide, we’ll share some top tips to help you find the perfect job for you.
Establish your priorities
One of the best ways to go about narrowing down your options and identifying the right career path is to establish your priorities. It’s often difficult to find a job that ticks every single box. Many of us have to make compromises. Think carefully about what matters most. Is the salary the most important selling point, or is a healthy work-life balance the ultimate goal? Are you looking for flexibility or the chance to progress, or is location crucial? Outline your priorities. Try not to be swayed by other peoples’ opinions or wider societal trends. It’s critical that you make decisions that are right for you and your family.
Once you are clear about your wishes and aspirations and you know where you’re willing to compromise, you can start looking for roles and considering whether they are suitable for you. If you’re desperate to spend more time at home or free up more hours to spend with your family and friends, for example, you may be willing to drop your salary demands slightly. If you’re looking for a pay rise and you’re keen to earn as much as possible in the next few years, you might not mind travelling further afield or sacrificing more of your free time.
Consider your passions
The saying goes that you’ll never work a day in your life if you find a job you love. In reality, most of us will have several jobs, some of which are not remotely related to our interests, talents or passions. Often, people accept jobs purely for financial reasons and to put a roof over their heads, but if you’re in a position where you don’t have to prioritise money, it’s a great idea to consider your passions and interests. The average employee spends 36 hours per week at work. This is a lot of time to devote to something that doesn’t inspire, motivate or stimulate you.
Using your passions as a source of inspiration for your job search can open new doors and help you find a job that you will enjoy. From creative activities and health and fitness to working with children or animals, there are multiple ideas to build on. If you’re not ready to risk it all and change careers, it’s worth exploring ideas like setting up a side hustle or gaining work experience. If you’re artistic or you enjoy writing, for example, you could try blogging, freelance writing or selling your art while you’re still working. If you love animals, why not volunteer at a charity or a shelter and see if that type of career is for you?
Update your CV
Searching for a new job can be a long and time-consuming process, especially if you’re looking for roles within competitive industries or you have a niche job in mind. Before you submit applications or register with recruitment agencies, update your CV. Your CV should provide a detailed but succinct overview of your skills, experience, qualifications and strengths. This is a document that should sell you to potential employers and help you to stand out from the crowd.
If you’ve applied for a lot of jobs in the past and have a low success rate, it’s wise to review your CV and seek advice. Make sure the information is up-to-date, highlight your talents and achievements and check the spelling and grammar. Tailor your CV to the individual role. Avoid adding irrelevant information and keep your CV short. Try to use snappy, punchy language. An employer may have a huge pile of applications to go through. You want your form to attract and hold their attention.
If you have questions about your CV, or you need help with revamping or improving it, there are some brilliant guides and tutorials online. You can also access workshops and download templates.
Find the right recruitment agency
When you’re ready to start looking for a new job, you have multiple options available to you. You can search for vacancies online, find out about opportunities via networking events and business contacts or sign up with a recruitment agency. Recruitment companies and websites specialise in connecting employers with suitable candidates and helping individuals to find jobs that match their requirements, skill set and level of experience. There are agencies that cover every industry and companies that specialise in entry-level roles and middle management as well as those that cater to senior positions. If you are on the hunt for a high-level role, or you work within a specific industry, it’s wise to choose an agency that has the expertise, experience and client base to help you find the best job.
Searching online is an excellent way to locate recruitment agencies in your local area or find firms that match candidates with employers in your chosen sector. If you’re looking for head of communications jobs, type this term into a search engine, visit websites and find out more about different agencies. Read client reviews and testimonials and focus on finding reputable firms that have a proven track record. If you don’t have a specific role in mind, but you want to work in healthcare, engineering or education, for example, use the Internet to find specialist recruiters and browse vacancies.
You can sign up for alerts from websites and social media accounts you follow to hear about new opportunities first. If you join a recruitment agency, the recruiters you work with will get in touch with you if a job that matches your skills comes up.
Hone your interview skills
For many of us, going to a job interview is one of the most daunting challenges we face. It’s natural to get nervous before an interview, especially if you’re desperate to get the job. Before you apply for jobs and start attending interviews, try to hone your skills. Practise answering questions, try to increase confidence levels and go through dummy scenarios with friends or a partner or family member. Take advantage of free resources online to help you prepare and look for ways to develop your skills. You could join virtual group sessions or workshops or arrange some sessions with careers advisers or experts in public speaking.
If you do get through to the interview stage of the job application process, try to maximise your chances of success. Take time to prepare. Read the job description. Research the company and learn about its mission, culture and ethos and its history. If you’ve been asked to do a presentation or answer specific questions, give yourself enough time to create a plan and practise several times before the interview. Ask for feedback from trusted friends and try to predict what kinds of questions the panel will ask. It’s also beneficial to go into an interview with a couple of questions you’d like to ask your prospective employer.
On the day of your interview, plan your journey in advance and make sure you’re as relaxed as possible. Allow plenty of time to get there, read your notes and prepare yourself mentally. Maintain eye contact with the panel, smile and have confidence in your abilities. Take time to think before you answer questions, speak clearly and try to avoid rushing. Don’t panic if you don’t give a model answer. Very few interviews are perfect. Try to use the opportunity to show off your personality and share your values as well as selling your qualifications, skills and experience.
Are you ready to make a career move? Take these tips on board to find the perfect job for you.