6 days ago
As Christmas and New Year approach, it’s a time to look back and reflect as well as a chance to embrace possible fresh opportunities. Are you still happy in your role or is it time to ring the changes and bring in the new year with a new job?
Things to consider include:
· Does your current company align with your personal values and offer a supportive environment
· Are you feeling appreciated
· Do you still get job satisfaction
· Is there a chance to upskill and challenge you to grow?
If you are taking a break over the festive season and planning to look at job vacancies, then here are a few tips to aid your job hunt:
1) Your CV
Your CV is your shop window and needs to stand alone and sell your skills and experience so make sure yours is updated.
It should be easy to read with your past roles in chronological order from most recent to least. Your job titles should be easy to find.
Use
· Bullet points, bold and underlining to help lead the reader
· Make sure you account for any gaps – if you’ve taken time off to travel or do voluntary work etc. then say so
· If the job description includes something that you have do currently or have done before, ensure you include it
· Remember to include contact details like mobile number and email address but your full postal address is not necessary, although a general location is useful
2) Screening questions
Sometimes an online application will include screening questions. At first glance they may look like a box-ticking exercise, but often there’s more to it than that.
So, what’s the best way to handle them?
Screening questions may seem somewhat narrow and restrictive, but there’s a good reason they’re there. Aside from reading the questions carefully, here are a couple of other tips to answering them.
1) Honesty is always the best policy:
If you’re being asked if you have previous or recent experience within a particular sector it pays to be totally honest. After all, if the recruiter feels you’re not right for this role you might be perfect for another similar role where that particular experience is not an essential requirement.
Saying yes when you actually mean no can backfire so being transparent can bag you a conversation and a job offer further down the line.
2) When it comes to specifics – e.g. hybrid/location – always start on the right foot:
Before you answer any questions, make sure you’re clear on your deal-breakers and what you would be prepared to compromise on.
For example, an organisation that expects its staff to be in the office 5 days a week or is in a location which is not central, might not be on your wish list so it’s best to be honest with yourself up front about whether this is going to work for you.
And remember that answering “No” to anything may not automatically discount your application.
3) It’s not just online…
Remember that everyone needs a friendly recruitment consultant, so pick up the phone and reconnect with a recruiter you’ve connected with before who knows you and understands your drivers.
If you are ready to move on to pastures new, then this holiday season could be the perfect time to check out the job market and identify a perfect new job!
Finally, wishing you a very merry Christmas and happy New Year. And good luck in your job search!
To check out current vacancies, simply head over to: https://www.trprecruitment.com/jobs