1. One slow down
Firstly DON’T PANIC! If you've been made redundant as a result of COVID or maybe having enforced time working from home in lockdown has made you question your career or job, try not to panic.
It’s easy to take a knee jerk reaction and start applying for everything and anything you see.
If you're applying for things you in reality have little chance of getting and if you’re honest, don’t really want, you're unlikely to be selected for an interview, which will dampen your confidence. Your CV may also be landing in lots of places possibly for the same role but with different recruiters or via different jobs boards.
You will secure another job, believe in yourself.
You've got jobs before and you will find a new one now.
The media often paints a doom and gloom picture right now with stark warnings about the numbers of people being made redundant and how many people are looking for work, but THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE, people are successfully securing roles and some areas and industries are actually booming.
So, slow down and take stock before you start applying for roles.
2. Be clear on what you want
Firstly, take some time to reflect on what it is you really want to do.
In an ideal world, what would your next job look like?
Be realistic about this next step. It’s OK to have a goal but can you reach your dream job now with your current skills and experience or is it a few steps away?
If it's a few steps away what are those steps? What should you be looking for now to help you move in the right direction?
Given the time we are operating in right now your dream job may not be there at the moment or you may not have the time to wait for something to come up.
You may be thinking about applying for things you wouldn't in normal circumstances, just to keep some money coming into your household.
That's okay right now, so be kind to yourself if that’s where you are.
This next job doesn't have to be forever.
Think of it a bit like the saying relating to friends - “Friends come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime”.
The next job you take may be a “reason” job and that reason is simply to earn some money in this difficult time.
If that's where you are in your job search right now think about your transferable skills and clearly highlight these on your CV.
3. What are your strengths and skills?
This is a useful exercise to complete. It will help you update your CV, start planning for interviews and also give your confidence a boost.
Make a list of your strengths and skills and the things you've achieved and are proud of in your current role and other roles you've had. To help with this, think about the tasks you undertake in your role and ask yourself what skills you need to carry them out.
Also think about other things that you do naturally well. Enjoy chatting to colleagues and finding out about them? That sounds like it could mean you have great relationship building skills.
4. Plan for rejection
It's an unpleasant fact of job hunting I'm afraid. You’re likely to be rejected for some of the roles you apply for.
A successful job hunt can take between 3 and 6 months or as little as a few weeks depending upon what you're looking for and that's in normal circumstances. We are living in different circumstances right now so your job search may take a little longer than you'd ideally like. Be prepared for that.
Look after yourself during your job search and practice self care. Have some support in your corner, people who will remind you of your strengths and skills and keep you going.
Develop your resilience; If you get a knock back, reframe it – “that obviously wasn't for me and something better will come along”.
5. Refresh your CV
It may have been a while since you updated your CV, so take a dispassionate look at it; make sure it's up to date with you most recent role and showcasing you in the right way.
Ask yourself if it's clear from your CV what type of job you're looking for and how your skills and experience match?
Make it easy for recruiters or hiring managers to quickly see from your CV that you meet the requirements of the job.
Don't let them have to dig around on your CV to try and find what they're looking for.
6. Perfect your elevator pitch
If someone asks you what it is you're looking for, have something prepared to say.
You never know who will know of a job opening or who will remember what you said when they hear of an opportunity.
Two or three sentences that explain what you’re looking for and that you feel comfortable saying out loud is perfect!
Then give them a call to action “If you hear of anything, I’d be really grateful if you could let me know”.
7. Work your network
Now you have your elevator pitch worked out, get networking.
People often think “I don't have a network”.
You do, everybody does! Your network is everyone you know and everyone you've met more than just fleetingly.
It is estimated that between 60 and 80% of jobs are never advertised and the best way of accessing these “hidden” jobs is through your network.
Make a list of your network. Friends, family, friends of friends, colleagues, ex colleagues, school gate mums, partners of friends. Where do they work, what do they do? Who may be useful to get in touch with and ask whether they know of anything suitable or if they know of someone they could connect you with that may be useful.
Don't be shy! I'm sure you wouldn't mind if someone contacted you with the same question.
8. Use LinkedIn
LinkedIn can be a rich source of hidden jobs and a great way of expanding your network. If you haven't got a profile already, set one up; it's simple and free.
Populate your profile with your skills, experience and some personal information about you too.
Make sure you focus on what it is you're looking for and target your profile to match so that employers searching for whatever it is you want to do will find you easily.
Then start connecting with people in places you'd like to work, the HR managers and recruiters within those organisations are great people to connect with as they are likely to be posting about jobs.
9. Research and Target Organisations
Find out about organisations that interest you, follow their pages on Facebook or LinkedIn, look at their website and check out their career pages. Connect with people who work there on LinkedIn and keep an eye on what they're posting.
You could also message or email speculatively to ask if there are any current opportunities. You just never know.
10. Use a range of channels to search
This is a simple one. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket when it comes to your job search.
Don’t rely solely on one jobs board or on a recruitment agent. Be proactive and use some of the other things we’ve suggested in this blog to give yourself the best possible chance of securing that new role.
If you’d like some more help with your job search, get in touch at hello@amandaparadine.com