The do’s & don’ts of Job Searching
The New Year is almost upon us, and whilst we all begin to wind down before some well-earned rest & time with our loved ones, in the world of recruitment we know it won’t be long before what is probably the busiest time of year for jobseekers.
To help you prepare, here are some do’s and don’ts to bear in mind when starting your job search!
The Do’s
Think carefully about why you are looking for a new job.
Before you start applying for jobs, ask yourself why you are unhappy in your current role. Is it salary? A lack of flexibility? A bad working environment? Whatever it is, bear this in mind when making your next move and, if using a recruiter, be completely honest with them about it (this will only help them in finding suitable roles for you). Moving into a job with the same underlying issues will, eventually, put you back in the same position.
If you love the company you work for and the sole reason you are looking elsewhere is salary, it may be worth trying to negotiate with your employer first (check out our blog post on salaries for some tips).
Be honest with your salary requirements.
This may sound like an obvious one, but it’s not always as simple as one figure.
Recruiters need to know which jobs are going to work for you. To provide the best service and to avoid the possibility of wasting both yours and their clients time, it is essential to have an honest conversation about what you are open to. A good recruiter will always ensure that the employer is willing to meet your requirements before setting up an interview.
Here’s an example:
Job One: Office located within walking distance, hybrid working pattern, good progression opportunities.
Job Two: Office-based, 30-minute drive to and from work, limited progression opportunities.
Would your salary requirements differ for each role? If you specify £40,000 as your bottom line but would consider £37,000 for Job One, you may not ever know about it…
Communicate with the employer and/or recruiter.
Recruiters and hiring managers are human and understand that things change (they’ve likely been in your shoes before too!), but it’s important to be honest and transparent to avoid burning any bridges. If you are actively job seeking you will likely have interviews or job offers elsewhere, and that’s fine! It’s also completely acceptable to change your mind before or after an interview. Just remember that recruiters earn their living by providing the best service they can for their clients, so if you simply do not turn up, pull out at the very last minute, or ignore their calls, they will likely have reservations about working with you in the future!
The Don’ts
Do not apply for anything & everything.
Read job specs very carefully and focus on quality over quantity! It’s a little different when starting your career, but if an employer requires 3 years of marketing experience and you are an Accounts Assistant with no marketing experience, do not waste your time. This can be damaging to your applications moving forward as it shows that you have not read the job specification and lack clear direction. If you are looking for a career change, speaking to a recruiter beforehand can be a good place to start.
If including a cover letter, make sure it is relevant.
We receive a lot of job applications with cover letters that have been written specifically for other positions. A well-written cover letter, although not essential, can really set you apart. However, a cover letter that is not written for the job you are applying for can be damaging.
Don’t lose your cool.
Jobseeking can be a frustrating process. Many candidates will rightly complain if they do not hear back or receive any feedback after a job interview (I myself have even stopped working with companies who fail to do this, so I’m on your side!). Having taken the time to meet and interview with a potential employer it is only fair that, at a minimum, you receive constructive feedback. However, if you are unsuccessful after the interview process and the employer does provide feedback, it is important to accept it graciously.
Interview Prep!
This one deserves a post all to itself, but I’ll keep this short. Be sure to do your research on the company, ask questions, use examples (especially for soft skills), highlight your achievements, practice your answers, and be yourself! You can follow our social channels for more detailed information on interview prep and other candidate resources.
If you are looking for advice and would like some help with your job search, please contact us or register to explore your options!
