5 Ways to Find Your Dream Job
I’m often surprised by how little effort people are prepared to put into finding their next role. They will update their CV, register with one online job site (usually Totaljobs, Monster or Indeed) as well as one or two recruitment consultants and think that’s enough. They then spend the next few weeks panicking, wondering why the right position hasn’t materialised and give up!
Although we are now thankfully no longer in recession and recruitment is back on many employers’ agendas, competition between job seekers has remained high. Through necessity, businesses became more creative in attracting the right candidates at the lowest possible cost. Less emphasis was placed on recruitment consultants and expensive advertising in favour of lower-cost options, meaning that job seekers needed to be more imaginative in finding their ideal job than perhaps they might have been previously. Although there has been a resurgence in the use of consultants and advertising following the recent economic recovery, many companies have maintained their low-cost candidate attraction strategies.
The following are my five top tips for finding your next role. I recommend using a combination of all of these activities and, as with anything else worthwhile, the more effort you put in, the better the results you will get:
1. USE YOUR NETWORK!
Using your network is my No 1 way of finding your dream job. The more people you tell about your search, the more they will be able to help. Research suggests that the majority of new roles are found either through those we know or the people that they know, i.e. our network. I recommend making a list of everyone you know (most clients can come up with around 100 names). Grade them 1, 2, 3 (one being the those you feel very comfortable with) and get on the phone, calling the No 1s first. N.B. you are not asking your contacts to find you a job, you are informing them that you’re on the market and asking if they’ll let you know if they hear of anything that may be suitable. If people don’t know, they can’t help.
2. Online Job Sites
There are so many job sites to choose from, including generic ones such as Totaljobs, Monster, Indeed, Reed, Glassdoor, etc. as well as industry/role specific ones. I recommend registering with at least five that are most pertinent to your industry/position. Upload your generic CV (please remember only to include an email address and phone number, NOT your home address - you wouldn’t put all your personal details on social media so why would you put it on a job site?). I also suggest uploading a new CV every two weeks, as many recruiters search for candidates based on date. By uploading a new CV regularly, your details are more likely to remain within search criteria.
3. Recruitment Consultants/Agencies
Again, I would suggest registering with at least five. When discussing your ideal role, you need to be very clear about what you want; if you're unclear, then the consultant will be too. Make a list of the role content, type/size of the company, remuneration details, etc. before you see/speak to them. N.B. It’s up to you to build the relationship with consultants, not the other way around (no matter how senior you are!). Consultants will usually help those who keep in regular contact with them over those who have not. Always try to see consultants face to face or at the very least, via Skype. When you do, treat it as a formal interview; dress smartly, be clear about you want and know your CV inside and out.
4. LinkedIn
I’m still amazed at how many people overlook LinkedIn as a job search tool. LinkedIn is a great place to find your next role as it has a comprehensive job section. Ensure that your profile is up to date and matches your CV (having incorrect dates is a common mistake). You must also have a professional profile picture (no pictures of you with alcohol, pouting or wearing your holiday Speedos!). I’d also suggest that you join groups that are pertinent to your job and industry. Many companies advertise their vacancies within those groups as they can directly hit their target market and doesn’t cost them anything.
5. Direct Applications
Make a list of the companies that you’d like to work for (I also recommend you do this when registering with recruitment consultants and have it with you when you meet/speak to them). Go to the company’s website and check their ‘careers’ section. Alternatively, if there isn’t a dedicated jobs page, research the name of the person who handles the recruitment and send a speculative application directly. Using the recruiter's name is far more effective than sending to a generic inbox. Follow up your application within a couple of days by calling the recruiter.
For more top tips on job hunting and a whole range of topics head over to new 'Jo Banks' website blog, click here to read more.
Your Dream Job Free Online Course
Since I set up my business What Next, In 2009, I’ve had the privilege of helping over 4,500 people to find and land their dream job through my corporate outplacement programmes. Now, for the first time, all of my top tools and techniques will be available to everyone in a full ‘Your Dream Job’ programme launching at the end of September. It will consist of three individual courses:
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