What to do if your new job hunt takes too long

Get clear on what kind of job you are looking for and what you want

 

Most people usually follow up their current career when changing a job. Think about what your primary motivation is for changing jobs.

Are you looking for a position with more responsibility? Then you need to be sure and you need to clearly demonstrate that you can handle all that it entails. Is your motivation primarily financial? Verify, ideally from multiple sources, that your financial expectations are realistic. Do you want to change fields completely? Select transferable experiences from your existing career that you can apply in the new sector and build on them. Remember that you may need to accept lower position in terms of seniority, and probably also step back a little from your financial expectations.

Make a list of your requirements and identify those that are crucial for you and those you are willing to negotiate, this will help you identify suitable positions.

 

Some people tend to prioritise volume over quality - sending out their CV to many job offers, to a large number of employers. There are several drawbacks to this approach - not only will you soon lose track of who and where you've sent your CV, you won't be able to remember important information from job adverts and you may miss out some, many from these application may also not be relevant. Before you apply for a job, do your research and find out a little more information about the company.

Use the internet and social media to learn more about their culture, vision and try to understand who they are looking for on their team to try and match your skills and experience with what the company needs.

Read the job description carefully to make sure you meet all important criteria.

 

We've already written about how to write a CV or how to tailor it to the job you're applying for. So, in short - whenever you send out a CV, you should tailor it with keywords so that it catches the recruiter's eye. Look for the skills and experience the company is looking for in the job description and tailor the terminology in your CV accordingly. Highlight relevant skills so that the employer doesn't overlook them on your CV. If you have knowledge of any of the systems used by the company, be sure to include these as well.

 

While your CV gives the reader information about your experience and qualifications, the cover letter gives you the opportunity to explain your motivation for working for the company and why you are the right candidate. Make sure you focus purely on the facts, you can also give a specific and relevant example of one of your achievements.

 

For example, if you are applying for a social media marketing position: "In my current position as a Social Media Manager, I designed and run a campaign that increased traffic to our website by XY% and increased sales by X%. I believe I can not only apply my experience well in your company, but also expand it further."

 

In your cover letter, you also can highlight how your personality fits with the company's culture and vision, for example, "I was impressed by the social media posts you publish about your company. I enjoy working in a team and sharing ideas with other colleagues, which you seem to support, so I think I would be a good addition to your team."

 

Always be factual, don't try to flatter, and remember to be concise - the cover letter should be no longer than a third of an A4 page.

 

Be active on professional social networks. Join industry communities, network with companies and professionals in your field. Again, quality should win over quantity, so don't send hundreds of connection requests. Make sure they are relevant contacts at your professional level, or one level above, create new connections also with recruiters. Attend available events, webinars, etc. This activity will not only help you to make new relevant contacts that will stay with you in the future, but also to gain new information and insights into what is happening in your industry.

 

Think about what professional skills and knowledge are in demand in your field and consider whether it would be worth taking a professional course or getting a new certification to help you get your dream job. Make sure you´ve added all courses in progress into your CV and your LinkedIn profile. Employers always appreciate people who work hard and continually expand their skills.

 

Most people are looking for a permanent position with unlimited contract. However, there are also a number of temporary jobs that can be very attractive. Temporary jobs have a time frame specified, most often with a six-month or one-year contract. This may be to cover maternity leave, to cover for long-term sick leave, or for a new project the company acquires, for example. Often these jobs are with very prestigious employers who in many cases also offer the contract extension or signing a permanent contract.

 

If you've had multiple interviews and haven't made progress in your job search, ask for honest feedback. You can find some tips on how to ask for it here. Good, constructive feedback can provide you with important information that you can consider in future selection processes. Don't take it as criticism, but as a guide to what and how you can improve. The feedback should also give you an indication of whether you are applying for the right type of positions or employers.

 

Looking for a new job can be a lengthy and challenging process, but it's important that you don't get distracted and stay positive at all times. Each selection process moves you further, one step closer to your dream job.