CAREER ARTICLES
Land a new job this year with 10 top tips
Wednesday 3rd August 2022
Ian Taylor - Career Advice Expert, CV-Library
The UK job market is extremely buoyant right now, with records being constantly broken, as can be seen in this recent article from Bloomberg UK.
If you are considering finding a new role, then there probably hasn't been a better time. So, what do you need to do to land that new job?
Here are our top 10 tips:
1 - Update your CV
Your CV will need refreshing. Most people don't update their CV when they get a new job, so your current role is most likely missing from it. Read and review the whole thing and remember that your CV should be tailored to each job you apply for. The first step is to make sure it's up-to-date. Including your current role.
2 - Prepare a Cover Letter
You need to give some thought to the basics of your cover letter, how you intend to describe yourself, your skills, experience and how you are the best person for the job - again, this will need customising for each role, but the basics won't change.
3 - Consider what you want to do next
Do you want to work in the same field or industry? The same role, or are you looking to move up, perhaps to a managerial role, for example? Perhaps you want to change your industry altogether. You need to check out job boards, LinkedIn, etc. to confirm what it is you want to do next. Don't forget other social media, such as Twitter, some accounts tweet new vacancies as they become available, often by sector.
4 - Check and update your online presence
Any new employer will check your social media and online presence, so make sure you have an online presence that is suitable for a business professional. Make sure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date, and again, where possible, tailored to the role(s) you are applying for.
Make sure there is nothing inappropriate in your Twitter, Instagram or other social media profiles. Make sure your profile picture is appropriate too - business-like for LinkedIn and a bit more casual or fun for Twitter, Facebook, etc.
5 - Get organised
If you're going to be applying for just a few or many job roles it's best to be organised. A simple spreadsheet is all that is needed.
It needs to show what job you've applied for (with a link), the date you applied, how you applied, contact details for the recruiter or HR manager, status and next steps as a minimum - you'll think of other things you may need to add as you set it up.
Make sure you update it daily.
6 - Find the role
Similar to point 3, but this is homing in on the actual job you want to apply for. Ideally, more than one. Make sure you get the job description and check it out thoroughly. Do you have the requisite skills and experience required for the job? If not, can you address the gap(s) - do you believe you have a chance of securing the interview and then the job?
If so, make sure your cover letter and CV reflect the skills necessary.
7 - Prepare for the interview
So, the CV and the covering letter did the job, and you've secured an interview. It could be by phone, video or 'in person'. Regardless of the format, you need to prep yourself for some commonly asked questions, some of which may seem a little unusual.
It's best to practice your answers so that you are as relaxed as possible, the best way to do this is to get a friend or loved one to ask you the questions, and you reply.
Make sure you confirm when and where the interview is to be held, and make sure you can attend on time, whether face-to-face, online or by phone.
8 - Follow up after the interview
If you feel it went well, or if you feel it didn't, it's always worth following up after the interview to see how it went and to ask for any feedback they may have. There may be none at this stage, and they may not have made a decision yet, but following up shows you are keen.
9 - Take some time out
Entirely optional, but highly recommended - try to take some time to relax, exercise, walk the dog, meditate - just take some time for yourself, rather than spend most or all of your spare time on the job search.
10 - Respond to any requests in a timely, professional manner
If you're asked for more information, to complete a task, or to attend an interview - make sure you do it within any timescale specified. Make sure you are professional and polite at all times, make sure you double-check your spelling and grammar for any written replies and make sure if you call that you are in a suitable environment (no dogs barking) with a good signal if on mobile, that sort of thing.
Finally, good luck in your search, for more advice, check out the hugely popular Career Advice section of CV-Library's website.
Ian Taylor
Career Advice Expert
CV-Library