My Job Hunting Tips
With many companies struggling to find the right people to fill vacancies, there’s never been a better time for candidates to shine.
New research shows that more than a third of businesses increased recruitment in the first three months of this year. Yet around the same proportion of companies surveyed for the Totaljobs Hiring Index stated they couldn’t find the right talent.
It's great to see that the momentum for recruitment is set to continue, with more than a quarter of firms intending to increase their efforts to take-on new people in the next couple of months.
There’s also evidence that firms are willing to pay more in order to attract the right people. The UK Report on Jobs found that both temporary and permanent new-starters are attracting bigger pay packets.
I know the talent is out there – so now is the time to stand out from the crowd.
To help you shine brighter than the rest and show that you really want the job and are ideally suited for it, here are my tips for success…
Be Pro-Active
Don’t wait for the job to come to you. Research the types of companies operating in the industry you’re interested in. When you’ve got enough information about them and what they do, get in touch with them.
I’ve known a senior professional who was appointed by a company after contacting them to say he was new to the area. They were impressed by his pro-active approach and offered him a job soon afterwards.
This is an ideal way to side-step those crowded online job boards. Yes, it involves some perseverance because not every company you contact will be hiring. But just remember: it only takes one successful approach to open the door to a new opportunity.
Target The Market
Focus on the job boards which are best suited to the types of vacancies you’re looking for. Your skill-set can then be matched more easily with the available jobs.
It’s also a great idea to use job search engines to hone-in on the kind of employment you’re aiming for – and in what location. You can sign-up for daily or weekly job alerts by email.
One of the best ways to help target your search is by using Google. I’ve found this really useful. Simply type-in what you’re looking for, including the geographical area, and Google does all the work for you. It’ll list all the suitable vacancies on different job boards and where to find them.
CV Review
Make sure your CV is right up-to-date. I can’t stress this enough. It’s vital your CV has the latest and most accurate information about you. Then you can tailor it to match the job you’re applying for.
It’s vital that your CV’s opening statement is powerful and shows why you’re the ideal candidate. Check your CV against the job advert. If an important qualification is near the bottom, then move it to the top. Tailoring your CV for each application will take extra time, but it’s worth it.
Check that your CV highlights the essential points listed in the job specification. Many organisations now use applicant tracking systems. That means when you submit your CV, tailored software picks out keywords that relate to the job advert.
Sell Your Skills
This is all part of making your CV and covering letter fit the job description. Think of examples to illustrate your skills. Remember that many skills are transferrable. Good communication, problem solving and the ability to work in a team are all skills which can be used in lots of different roles.
If you’re successful in securing an interview, remember the STAR method of answering questions about your skills. It’s an ideal way to demonstrate your experience. You talk about the Situation you were in, the Task you had to do, the Action that you took – and the Result you achieved.
Nimble Networking
It’s always a good idea to do a bit of networking, both virtually and in-person. By that I mean you could tell your friends and family that you’re job hunting -and they can keep a look-out for you on social media and websites, or even hear something through the grapevine.
But if you’d prefer not to make your job search ‘public knowledge’ among those close to you, it’s worth creating a network of contacts online. Many recruiters search for candidates on the professional networking site LinkedIn, so having a presence on there will help.
Posting on LinkedIn to say you’re looking for a specific type of work is also worthwhile. If you know the sort of company you want to work for, LinkedIn could also help you make a direct approach to the right person at that business. As well as connecting with prospective employers, you can obtain recommendations from previous managers.
Get Expert Help
Be sure to use the expertise of a recruiter such as Nomad. Thanks to our on-going relationships with employers we know exactly what they’re looking for. It means we can match the right candidate to the ideal role.
Getting to know the candidate helps the recruiter sell their strengths to the employer. This can save a lot of time and avoid wasted effort. One candidate recently told me they preferred to work with Nomad because “we fight for our candidates.”
It’s Good To Talk
In this age of digital devices and instant messaging, it may seem a bit old fashioned to actually pick up a phone and speak to a recruiter, but it’s still an effective approach. If you’ve applied online, it’s worth following it up with a phone call.
A candidate phoned me and said he thought it would make a difference if he introduced himself. And it certainly does make a difference. Your CV goes to the top of the pile because you took the trouble to make the phone call.
That phone conversation is a chance to not only get your personality across, but to build a relationship with the recruiter. If you’re nervous about what to say, write down some bullet points so you don’t forget.
I hope those job searching tips are useful, but if you need any further help, don’t hesitate to contact Nomad HR and Recruitment.
