Many people began the new year searching for their ideal job, however, rushing in and applying for roles without thinking about what it is they really want will only lead to disappointment, says Hays CEO, Alistair Cox, in his latest LinkedIn Influencer blog.
At the beginning of each year there is a spike in the number of job applications received by recruiters and businesses alike, with people looking to start the new year with a change in their career. Applying for jobs can be time consuming, meaning jobseekers should be more targeted with their search and fully understand what they are looking for, while also taking the time to really understand whether a move is right for them.
Alistair says, “More often than not, the unsuccessful candidates are those who have dived head-first into the job search process, without thinking about what they really want and what exactly they need to do to get there. As a result, they end up applying for roles that aren’t necessarily right for them at this particular stage in their career.”
Before rushing in to a job search, Alistair believes candidates must first consider these following steps.
- Map out a clear career path
Alistair adds, “Securing the right role for you, rather than ‘a role, right now’, requires you to take a step back and answer some honest questions about what you want out of your career in the long-term.
Alistair advises candidates to think about their strengths and weaknesses, the skills they possess and the type of work that has provided them with the most fulfilment in their career so far. Taking the time to find the answers to these questions will guide jobseekers in finding a job that is suited to them, but they must still ask questions around external factors too; is their industry facing a period of change and what could impact opportunities available to them, both now and in the future?
Alistair adds, “Aside from determining the kind of job you actually want to be doing, answering these questions will provide you with a roadmap to success. You may recognise an attribute that sets you apart from other candidates which you can focus on highlighting to employers, or you could spot an emerging area of employment in your sector that has so far gone largely unnoticed.”
- Use their current position to enrich their CV
Candidates must ask themselves whether there is anything within their current role that could enrich their job further, as well as their CV, before looking elsewhere. Staying at a place of employment longer to develop their skills further and to ensure they have learned everything they can from the role will make them more employable and will help their search for their dream career in the long run.
Alistair says, “Refining your expertise and skills is another fantastic way to flex your muscles in your current role, while also boosting your potential future value in the jobs market. It will also do wonders for your self-confidence, which is no bad thing when embarking on a job search.”
- Think about what they want to be known for
Candidates must take the time to think about their personal brand and how they are perceived at work. A jobseeker’s personal brand shapes their professional identity and ultimately how others view them, which could be pivotal to their success.
Alistair advises, “Instead of jumping headfirst into your job search, you must think about what you are currently known for, how you see yourself, what you want to be known for, and what needs to change for you to become the best of brand of you. Try to think about the positive traits you want people to see in you – envisage it and become it.”
Taking these steps will assist a jobseeker in finding their ideal job by discovering their most valuable skills and developing them further, as well as helping them to determine the best career path for them and the right time to move.
Alistair closes by saying, “Switching employers is a significant change and long-term success should never be sacrificed for short-term satisfaction. Speaking as an employer myself, the candidates that really stand out are those with clear drive and focus, those who have a plan, not just in their day-to-day but also in their long-term career ambitions. By taking a measured approach and considering where you want to be and how best to get there, you should find yourself pulled towards an exciting new role that is right for you in 2017 and beyond.”
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About Hays
Hays plc (the "Group") is a leading global professional recruiting group. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK and Asia Pacific and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe and Latin America. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As at 30 June 2016 the Group employed 9,214 staff operating from 252 offices in 33 countries across 20 specialisms. For the year ended 30 June 2016:
– the Group reported net fees of £810.3 million and operating profit (pre-exceptional items) of £181 million;
– the Group placed around 67,000 candidates into permanent jobs and around 220,000 people into temporary assignments;
– 22% of Group net fees were generated in Asia Pacific, 45% in Continental Europe & RoW (CERoW) and 33% in the United Kingdom & Ireland;
– the temporary placement business represented 58% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 42% of net fees;
– Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Chile, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the UK and the USA