As the new year dawns, we often feel full of optimism for the year ahead. We’re buoyed to start fresh and strive for more. Alternatively, you may feel like the new year isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, but we’re here to tell you that it is the perfect time to look for a new role because employers often return to work reinvigorated after the Christmas lull. But with so many people just like you thinking the same thing and wanting a change of role for the new year, what’s the best way to get ahead?
Increase your skill set
January is a brilliant time to enrol on a new course, apply for voluntary work or join a work experience placement. The more you broaden your skill set and show a willingness to increase your capabilities, the more likely you stand out from the competition when applying for roles.
Reinvigorate your CV
All CVs tend to look the same. With a recent focus by many companies to concentrate on developing their company culture, why not try adding an opening to your CV to reinforce that your values and beliefs fit with the company culture for where you are applying? Not sure where to find out about the company culture? You will often find this on their website or in published annual reports.
Additionally, ensure your CV is not an endless list of roles and responsibilities. Employers will be much more interested to find out your impact on your previous roles rather than the ins and outs of the role itself. Consider adding points about your impact at previous workplaces and what you allowed the company to do.
Prepare for an interview
First and foremost, establish whether you are being called in for an informal ‘getting to know you’ chat or whether you will be attending a more structured interview.
Remember to prepare for questions you may be presented with, which can often fall into several categories such as technical ability, strengths, weaknesses, working with others, self-motivation and customer service. Ensure you have at least a handful of examples for each category which you can talk about easily. Remember, these questions are often ‘rhetorical’; therefore, there is no right or wrong answer.
Another helpful tip when preparing for an interview is to research as much as possible regarding the person or people interviewing you. This is essential when building rapport but remember not to come across as too ‘matey’. For more tips on building rapport, look at our previous blog.
And remember, just because you ‘won’ an interview, if it doesn’t feel right and the company doesn’t seem like the right fit, don’t be afraid to turn the role down. After all, it is where you will be spending most of your time, so you must find the right company fit for you.
For tailored role recommendations, call us to discuss how we can help you find the perfect role for you in 2020.
