1. Broaden your horizons
When looking for work, focus on the core skills you have that you can transfer to different types of roles, rather than being fixed on looking for specific job titles. This will really help to open up new sectors and new roles that you may never have considered before.
The great news here is that everyone has unique selling points and transferable skills that employers are looking for – the trick in your job applications is to highlight what they are and how you will use them to match what the employer wants.
2. Go virtual
Learning how to use virtual platforms, such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom or Skype, can really boost your chances of success. Many employers are now conducting interviews remotely rather than meeting face to face.
Taking the time to learn how to use the platform, test your technology and get your environment right in plenty of time before your interview will help you to feel confident and be yourself when you meet your prospective employer for the first time.
3. Ask for help
Looking for work can feel daunting at times and it can be tricky to know where to start. Whether you need help to write a stand-out CV, create a fresh job-hunting strategy, learn how to shine at interviews, or need to explore what opportunities there are for you, reach out for support from an employment professional.
An objective view and practical help can boost your confidence and help you to stay resilient while you find the job that’s right for you. Letting your friends and family know you’re looking for work can also help, as well as networking, to widen your reach in the job market.
4. Find ways to stand out from the crowd
Competition can be strong for positions with many applicants applying for a single vacancy. To stand out from the crowd, quality not quantity is often the key.
Carefully tailoring your talents to employer needs, doing some ground research and paying attention to details such as spelling, grammar and formatting can really make the difference between an interview offer and a rejection.
A thoughtfully prepared application or CV that matches the skills and qualities required shows you are genuinely interested in the company and the role and helps the employer see that you could be a great fit for their organisation.
Being proactive by making speculative applications and setting up an online profile on LinkedIn can also help – it’s a great way to increase your presence and visibility to employers and gather positive comments and recommendations for your past work to get you noticed.
5. Make a job hunting plan and look after yourself
Creating healthy job-hunting habits can really help you to stay on track. Create a plan and regularly review your progress to see how it’s working for you.
It’s a great idea to dedicate some time each day specifically for job hunting and taking an organised approach to how you will spend that time will help you to see results and where you might need to tweak it a little.
You might like to consider whether training, getting some work experience, considering an apprenticeship, or taking an interim role while you’re looking for a longer-term opportunity might help you.
It’s really important to take breaks from your job hunting to do something you enjoy, spend time with friends or family and take some “you” time to help you relax. This can help you feel less anxious about finding work and renew your focus and energy when you are job hunting.
How we can help
Whether you’re worried about redundancy, looking for your first job, returning to work after a break, or taking the next step in your career, we can support you. We can even help you start your own business.
Our Guideline team provides experienced advisors who can help you explore career pathways, search for vacancies, create or update your CV, and prepare for interviews.
To find out how we can help you, please complete our simple online form and one of our Guideline team will get in touch with you.