How to find a new job

Once you have made the decision to look for new opportunities, it can be hard to know where to start with your job search.

To make sure you are able to apply for the most relevant jobs, it’s important that you dedicate time to your job search and understand the different ways that new roles can be found.

Update Your CV

The very first task when starting your job search is to update your CV. Ensure you list your day to day responsibilities for each of your roles, going into particular detail for your three most recent positions. If you are applying for a variety of roles you should tailor your CV accordingly, which may mean you have a couple of versions that you can use depending on the role you are applying for. 

Draft a cover letter

While it is never a good idea to send through a generic cover letter, some thought should be given to what you want to say and the general format of the letter. Then, as you start to apply for roles you can easily tailor the letter to suit the position you are applying for. A highly tailored approach is much more professional and can make all the difference to potential employers.

Get in touch with specialist recruiters

Reputable recruitment consultancies will have a strong network of contacts that you can leverage off for your job search. They are often aware of opportunities before they are advertised and can introduce your skill set to companies of interest. Working with a recruitment consultant who specialises in your area of expertise means they will have a better understanding of what you are looking for and be able to give valuable career advice to assist with your job search. They will also manage the process on your behalf and will keep you up to date with employment market trends.

Job boards 

Signing up to relevant job boards enables you to apply for advertised positions. Most employers use online job boards to advertise roles they have available so job boards can be a good indicator of how busy the market is, which can help determine whether or not it is a good time to be looking. 

Networking

Letting your own network of contacts know that you are interested in new opportunities can be extremely helpful in securing a new role, although discretion is key here if you don’t want your current employer to know you are looking.

Attending networking events that are relevant to your industry or profession is a great way of making new contacts and keeping up to date with industry trends.

Social networking

The rise of social media has meant that more and more job seekers and employers are using social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to advertise and apply for roles. Social networks provide a rich source of information about companies of interest and enable you to showcase your expertise, participate in relevant discussions and build new relationships. It is therefore a good idea to ensure you have active profiles on sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google+ and that you behave professionally on these sites. 


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