It’s a New Year and that means the chance to have a think about the changes you want to make in your life. For a lot of people that might mean finding a new job or changing direction with their career.
Recruitment and employability is an ever changing field and it’s important to make sure you keep up to date with new practices and use a variety of methods when job searching. It’s also a good idea to start thinking more practically about how you apply for work within different industries – what will get a potential employers attention?
Here are my top 5 suggestions for finding a new job in 2016;
1. Consider a Video or Online CV
Your CV is (and most definitely should be) an ever changing document. It’s great if you have a key focus for your career and two solid pages of experience to back it up but for most people – especially if you’re just starting out or facing a career change – this might not be the case.
A lot of companies within certain industries are requesting a video or ‘online’ CV – think along the lines of Creative Media, Film/Photography professions, and even for some customer service roles in high profile companies.
The benefit of this type of CV is it really gives you a chance to show off your skills and ability to use some various programmes/software that might be a requirement of the job. It also means you can add a real personal flair and a good dose of your personality into it. Think about the job or industry you’re trying to break into and consider this as a way of making the employer really pay attention over all those standard 2 sides of A4 in front of them!
Related: How to Make a Video CV for Job Applications [INFOGRAPHIC]
2. Give Your CV a Boost
I’m a big advocate for making sure your career isn’t just a day job but something that genuinely fulfils you. I’m sure you’ve heard the adage ‘Love the work you do and you’ll never a work a day in your life’ – and it’s very true!
Extra curricular activities – volunteering, blogging, fundraising, tutoring, mentoring, commitment to a sport or hobby – anything that aids what you want to do in life will not only help fulfil you as a person but will make a big difference on your CV and give you something extra to talk about when meeting employers. I am always impressed at interviews when the candidates can talk passionately about something they do outside of work – even if it doesn’t directly relate to the role they’ve applied for. If they can articulate how the skills from that experience will benefit me as an employer, both on their CV and at interview, I definitely pay attention.
It goes back to something I’ve mentioned a few times – employers want a human being to join their business not a robot, so let them know what you’re all about – especially if you know the skills will be valuable to them!
3. Utilise Social Media
Social media plays such a huge part in our lives, and employers and recruiters are definitely making full use of it.
Most people will be aware now that employers often look you up on social media to see what your presence is like – don’t get caught out with stuff you’d rather not have a potential boss see! Make sure you use social media to your advantage – check any content available about you online and make anything too personal private. Then don’t forget to start creating a public presence you want employers to see that doesn’t just stop at LinkedIn. Utilise spaces like Twitter to share and comment on relevant industry articles and updates. For any creatives out there, Instagram, Tumbler, Pinterest are all fantastic platforms to get your work or skill noticed and provides an excellent way to showcase what you can do – And don’t forget to put links on your CV to show off all your work!
Related: How to Use Social Media to Get a Job [INFOGRAPHIC]
Employers and Recruiters will also have a social media presence, as well as using it as a platform to advertise vacancies and opportunities – follow employers you want to work for and engage with them, let them know you’re interested and keep right up to date with what’s up and coming recruitment wise with their business.
4. Do Some Research
Do you actually know what the employers you’re targeting are looking for? What are the ‘Key Skills’ that get them excited when reviewing a CV? How did the CEO or Director start out with the company? What is their staff turnover and recruitment process?
Before blindly applying for any and all jobs you think you have a good shot at, have a think about the above and more importantly make sure you research the company thoroughly to find out if it’s a good match for you. All of these things will help you with tailoring your application, cover letter or CV, and might also give you some insight as to whether this is a company you want to work for.
Related: How To Research Your Potential Employer
5. Don’t Forget Your Contacts
Being unemployed or unhappy in your job can be a lonely place. Looking for work on your own can be exhausting and it’s easy to get demotivated. Make sure those around you know if you’re looking for work and the types of roles or companies you want to work for.
I’ve found two jobs in my lifetime simply by asking on Facebook (interviews the following week!) and many more opportunities have come my way by asking friends and posing the question on Twitter. Whether it be they let you know about an upcoming vacancy, forward you vacancies they come across, make recommendations to look at companies you hadn’t thought of and –best of all – recommend you for a role – it certainly helps to have them on your side and casting an extra pair of eyes over the job market.
Just make sure if anyone you know offers help or a lead on a job you follow it through, often they will have spoken to the employer already and it doesn’t look great if you then don’t follow through after complaining publicly on social media!
So, there you go. Just a few ideas to help get you kick start on your job search this New Year. I’d love to know how you get on – feel free to comment below and let me know if any of these worked for you!
photo by: carolyn
