The job hunt is on!

Spring has arrived and Easter is just a few days away. While it’s a great moment to spend some extra time with your family and go egg hunting in your garden, it’s also a good time to go job hunting.

But, while your competition might be busy looking for Easter eggs in their own gardens, you could be hunting for a job. It’s even better, because instead of adding extra weight, it brings in money and makes you happier on the long term.

So we think it’s a good time to share our four eggs of career advice.

1. Have clear goals

Reflect on what you’ve been doing so far: what has worked and what hasn’t? Let this be the foundation of your goals this weekend. While it’s not realistic to aim for a job interview next week, since these days a lot of employers have temporarily closed their doors, it could be a good target to have at least some applications open by the end of the official Easter break. But since everyone works differently, the key is to set realistic goals for yourself.

2. Identify opportunities

You might have the ideal job in mind, but it’s always good to keep your options open. There are many roles with similar functions, but with a different name. If you’ve been applying to the same type of roles unsuccessfully, you should change tactics and go back to basics. Think about your strengths and weaknesses and how you can match them to a job that will be just right for you.

Take enough time to scroll through job descriptions, identifying the requirements and how you match up to them.

3. Polish your CV

You’ve found a job, or more than one, you want to apply for? Great. But whatever you do, don’t send a general CV to every company. Keep in mind that after Easter break, a lot of employers will be swamped with applications and that it might take them longer to sort everything out due to the circumstances, so you’ll have to stand out.

Always try to match your CV to what they’re asking for. Remember, employers want people who are going to help drive their business forward. So feel free to add relevant expertise and some results you’ve seen there. If you’re a graduate and can’t give specific examples, don’t panic. Instead give examples of a skill you used at university, the outcome of using it and how it peaked your interest in the area.

In case they ask for a skill you don’t have, don’t despair. It’s never too late to learn. And what’s a better time than Easter break? Nothing shows your interest in a subject more than you taking the initiative to learn.

4. Take a step back

Don’t lose yourself in applications and job searching all weekend. Don’t feel guilty if you want to take some time to step back from everything that’s job related. Everyone needs time to find their focus and you should give yourself the opportunity to prepare for the next steps after Easter break.

Instead of diving head first into even more applications, take some time to step back from all things job related. Everyone needs time to refocus and you’ll find you’re in a much better frame of mind to hit the ground running come Tuesday.