Job seeking in a tough market

Looking for a new role or having to find a new job because you have been laid off or made redundant is difficult at any time, but when you are competing in a tough market, it can feel even more daunting.

In this blog, we’re exploring how to set yourself up for the job hunt and how to stay positive if things take time.

Evaluate where you are and where you want to be

One of the first things to do if you suddenly find yourself without a job or you are keen to move on from your current role is to evaluate - where you are right now and where you want to be heading.

Here are some questions to ask yourself.

Do you want to head straight into a new role? 

Being between roles for a while isn’t necessarily a bad thing. And in today’s world, a gap in your CV isn’t the red flag it used to be. So consider whether you want to pitch straight into a new role or take some time off first. You might decide to take time out to study, to travel or simply to rest and recharge.

Do you want to stick to a similar role/sector, or do you want to try something new? 

A new role can be the chance to try something new if you feel stuck in a rut. Perhaps you’d like to try the same type of role but in a very different organisation or sector? Or maybe you’d like to try a different role altogether. Knowing this can help guide your job search and either narrow or broaden your choices.

What transferable skills do you have?

If you’ve worked in one role, organisation or sector for a long time, you might think your skills are only relevant to that one thing. But if you evaluate them objectively, you’ll probably have lots of transferable skills. Things like:

• Working in a team

• Leading others

• Reporting and analysing

• Financial skills

• HR experience

• Writing and communications

All of these can be transferred to a new setting.

Would you be willing to take a pay cut or lose some of the benefits from your current role to secure the new job?

Knowing what you are willing to compromise on (if anything) will help you narrow your job search and give you a starting point for any negotiations should you get an offer.

Are you looking for your next forever role, or are you happy with a stopgap?

Think about what you’d like your next role to be and what part it will play in your career path. Is it a shorter-term role to tide you over while you look for your dream role, or do you want to step straight into another long-term position?

What commitments are affecting your decisions?

Depending on what stage you are at in life, you may have commitments that affect the decisions you make. For example, you might not be able to take as much time between jobs if you have a mortgage to pay or a family to support. Taking some time to think about your situation will inform your decisions. 

Brush up your skills

In a competitive market, you need to stand out, and that means making sure all the elements needed for your job application are up to scratch.

If you have applied for a few jobs and not got the result you want, or you want to get started on the right foot, then you need to:

Check your CV

Your CV, combined with a cover letter if one is required, is your first foot in the door of the recruitment process. If it’s been a while since you’ve applied for a job, your CV might need some sprucing up. We’ve got some great tips to help you review your CV.

Practice interviews

Another skill that might be a bit rusty if you’ve been in the same job for a while is your interviewing. So, a quick practice interview could boost your confidence. Our colleagues at McLaren Recruitment have some handy tips for calming interview nerves.

Add some extra skills

If you want to use your next job to move into a different role or sector, you might need to add some extra skill strings to your bow. Two good ways to do this, if you have time and budget, are:

Volunteering - Volunteering has many benefits - for you and the organisation you volunteer for. It’s a great way of learning new skills and boosting your happiness by doing good for others. Plus, it can be a route into your dream role.

Professional development - If what you need is more skills-based, then taking time for some professional development could be a good option. It doesn’t have to break the bank. Read some more tips here.

Set aside time for self-care

Searching for a new job in a tough market can be draining, especially if you have applied for a number of roles and not been successful. It’s vital to make time to look after yourself in this situation and try to focus on a positive outlook. 

Some things to try:

• Making time for a hobby or activity you enjoy

• Limiting the time you spend searching for and applying for jobs each day to a certain time frame so the job hunt does not consume your whole day

• Sticking to routines like getting good sleep and exercise

• A relaxation activity like yoga, meditation or journaling

• Making time to connect regularly with family or friends who can act as a support network

We wish you the best of luck in your job search. Remember to check our listings regularly to see the fab “do good” jobs we have available.