As we’ve entered the New Year, many of us decided to have New Year’s Resolutions. You know, things we want to improve or change like spending more time with friends and family, getting fit, eating healthy or looking for a new job. According to The Independent, almost half of the UK workforce are looking for a new job in 2016.
I’ve recently read that only 8% of resolutions are actually achieved. If looking for a new career opportunity is one of your New Year’s Resolutions, you certainly don’t want to belong to the vast majority of having failed their resolutions. But what can you do if you’re looking for a new role?
Being organised and having a plan can reduce the stress often associated with a job search. The 16 steps outlined here will help you prepare and find that new job you’re looking for.
- Figure out what you want. What do you want to achieve or accomplish? What is important to you? The “Career Choice Worksheet” can help you identify your priorities and can be used to evaluate whether a vacancies fits your requirements.
- Review your personal brand, as Shawnice Meador from UNC Kenan Flagler Business School suggests. She breaks your personal brand down into your paper impression (your CV), your online presence (e.g. LinkedIn) and your in-person appearance (e.g. during an interview).
- Update your CV. If it has been a while since you’ve last done this, there are plenty of articles online which will guide you. Look at your job description and write down what you’re doing. After listing each activity and achievement, ask yourself: “So what? What does this mean?” Describe what it means for the business (e.g. “reducing process time by 2 days” or “saving the company $750,000”).
- Review your online profiles. As you’re updating your CV, you may also want to update your LinkedIn profile and google yourself. If you find any discriminatory information (e.g. embarrassing Facebook pictures), remove it or ask the owner to remove.
- Discreetly ask your boss, colleagues, clients or other business associates about their impressions of you. You don’t want to alarm them about your intentions to change jobs. Yet, you can always use the feedback as an opportunity to develop further in your current and future companies.
- Identify your unique selling point. How do you differentiate your work, behaviour and knowledge from others? What differentiate you from others? What do you bring to the table that others don’t?
- Building onto the previous point, prepare and practice your elevator speech. What’s your own value proposition? How do you define yourself in one word or concept? Focus on your unique selling point and your achievements.
- Now that you know who you are, what you can bring to the table and what you’re looking for, work your network. In the Middle East, jobs often get filled through contacts. Let your trusted contacts know what you’re looking for and they may refer you for a vacancy.
- As you’ll need to provide references, review who you’d like to use as a references. Contact them now and make them aware of your plans. Ask them whether they’d act as your reference. They may also know of suitable openings for you.
- Know which company you’d like to work for? Great! Check for vacancies directly on their website. Do you know anyone working at your ideal future employer? Ask them about internal vacancies. Often companies advertise internally first, giving current employees a chance to apply first or forward any referral candidates.
- Search websites like Bayt or Gulftalent for open positions. These websites also have a section for recruiters. Upload your CV and let recruiters find you.
- Don’t forget to utilise the services of local recruitment agencies specialised in your field. They can give you additional insights into the market and work with you to prepare for an interview and support you during the offer negotiations.
- Invest in a quality outfit which you can wear for interviews. It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. If you don’t know what style suits you, why don’t you give us a call? As Colour Me Beautiful consultants, we can advise you on the colours and clothes which bring out the best in you.
- Practice general interview and behavioural questions. Follow the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) when answering questions. Describe the situation, then your tasks, elaborate on the actions you took before outlining the result. Employers are interested in learning what you did. Describe what you’ve done, not the team.
- As your search continues, remain positive about your current employer. Carry on with your work projects as dedicated as before you’ve decided to change jobs. Don’t use your employer’s resources to search for a new opportunity or attend (phone) interviews while working. Schedule these for outside working hours.
- Stay motivated and optimistic. Job hunting can take time and may be a bumpy roller-coaster ride. Surround yourself with inspiring, encouraging and supportive people. When you’re hitting an obstacle, find alternative ways to overcome it and don’t forget to treat yourself to some time out from your job search. Do a fun activity!
The more you know about what you’re looking for and the better you’re prepared, the smoother your job hunt will be. What worked for you when you changed jobs last time? What additional tips do you have for job seekers? I’d love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Agni