Job search tips for the new year

After a few weeks of relaxation, family time and over-indulgence, January provides a bit of a reset. If, like many others, the new year marks the beginning of your job search, it can be hard to know how to keep track of it all. Here’s our top job search tips to help you have a productive, streamlined and stress-free January.

1. Think about what you want

Before you start searching for new positions, take a step back to reflect on your career so far. Think about your strengths, any gaps in your experience and the kind of work you want to be doing. This will help you figure out which vacancies best match your aspirations and give you a head start on the information to include in your applications.

Whether you want to:

– Progress into a more senior role

– Transition into a new industry

– Return to work after a break

It’s important that your next step on the career ladder matches your goals.

Take some time to research the companies you want to work for too – and not just to see if they are hiring. You may be searching for a new position due to negative experiences at your most recent workplace. If so, have a dig around to make sure the same culture doesn’t exist at the business you work for next.

2. Have a clear plan

It’s hard to juggle a job hunt with work, family commitments and other responsibilities. So, it’s important to tackle your tasks in as organised a way as possible.

Start by making a to-do list. Prioritise applications by their deadline and your interest in the position. The most important outcome is sending out applications for the jobs you really want!

Once you have established your priority list, break down the tasks you need to complete for each one. These could be company-specific applications or a tailored CV or cover letter. But having a note of each step means you immediately have a clear view of what you need to do.

Now you can split up the tasks you need to complete and meet application deadlines without a last-minute rush.

3. Pursue all avenues

Businesses and recruitment companies use a variety of channels to attract applicants to roles. Alongside websites like workingmums.co.uk, keep an eye on:

– Industry-specific recruitment websites

– Company websites

– Google

– Social media platforms.

Set up alerts on each of these channels where you can for the kind of job you want. That way you stay one step ahead of the competition and find out first about new opportunities.

4. Perfect your professional profile

We wrote last month about why December was the ideal time to update your CV. But now we have another question for you: when was the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile?

Networking – both in-person and online – can be integral to finding your next role. According to a Forbes article in 2020, a whopping 95% of recruiters are active on LinkedIn.

Your LinkedIn profile needs to be up-to-date, engaging and full of the right information. Do you need professional help to make a good first impression online? We can optimise your LinkedIn profile to showcase your experience, include the keywords recruiters are looking for and target the kind of roles you are looking for.

5. Don’t burn yourself out!

The most important point of all!

Finding your next role is important – but so is quality time for your family, hobbies and self-care. If you spend all your free time working on applications and researching roles, you will run out of energy. And that’s when you will make mistakes!

Make sure you take regular breaks, get plenty of fresh air and allow yourself time to rest. Motivation is key – so keep it high by balancing your time with things you enjoy.

We hope that these tips job search tips help you feel more productive and less overwhelmed! You can find some more advice here.

*If you are struggling, though, sometimes the best thing to do is ask for help. To make the best first impression for your dream role, a professionally-written CV and cover letter will help get your foot in the door. With unlimited edits and an express 24-hour turnaround option, our talented writers can help take the stress of your job hunt away. No matter what your next step is, we want to wish you the best of luck with your job search. This is an exciting time – if there is anything we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to let us know!

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