Top Ten Tips for Jobsearch Success
Should you find yourself in a situation where you are involuntarily looking for your next position take a look at these top 10 tips to get you and keep you on track.
- Don’t take it personally
Don’t take what has happened personally, most of us have been in a similar situation at some stage in our careers. - Don’t panic
Don’t panic and start applying for jobs you don’t want simply because you need a job. You probably won’t be successful (and if you are, not for the long term), and it won’t do your confidence levels any good in the long run. - Keep focused
Forensic focus and structured approach to every phase of your job search otherwise you can waste a lot of energy. Have a plan B up your sleeve if you need it. This could be consultancy or interim work or NED or voluntary work. Keep an open mind. - Adopt a new approach
Adopt a marketing approach with you as the product. What are your Unique Selling Points? What makes you special? What fires you up? What can you offer? Then get some metrics together to support this. All your marketing documentation needs to have a consistent message although how you deliver this will vary. For instance your Linkedin profile should not just be a download of your CV – your style and approach should be very different. Less is more on a LI profile and the style tends to be more relaxed eg ‘I’ rather than ‘he/she’ and with a photo taken in an appropriate work context (definitely no babies or animals!). - Network like crazy
Network like crazy (but in a structured and focused way!). Who do you know that may be able to help and are themselves well networked in your sector, or locally? Think how you will approach your key contacts and make sure you are comfortable with it. Most people enjoy helping others and some will go to great lengths to support you with introductions, opportunities they know about on the grapevine, or simply advise on your CV or recruitment consultants. - Play the game
To a certain extent it is a numbers’ game, but… - Quality over quantity
Focus on quality of applications rather than quantity. Better to have 10 good live opportunities than a 100 ‘flights of fantasy’ ones. - Recruit in the right way
Use recruitment consultants in the right way. You may have existing contacts or hear about headhunters from your network. Focus on 5 or 6, try to get to see them, or at least speak to them, and stay in touch on a regular basis, at least once a month. - Stay in balance
Keep yourself in balance. Spend sufficient time on your job search but combine this with other activities you enjoy. Fresh air and exercise is always good! - Outplacement support
Finally, as part of your exit package, make sure you take up any outplacement support on offer. If none is available, try to negotiate career transition support to help you. A good service should provide you with practical tailored assistance, contacts, emotional support geared towards you achieving a great result. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
We hope this helps and good luck!
