How To Get The Most Out Of Your Job Search
A CV alone won’t get you a job, but it can get you an interview. Having a generic CV is not the worst crime you can commit in your job search, but it won’t separate you from the barrage of other applications a hiring manager will receive.
Make sure to emphasise experience and interests that are relevant for each role you are applying for, and have a think about how buzzwords affect the tone and direction – things like “target-driven” are often favourable for a salesperson, whereas a “creative flair” is essential for Marketing and design-oriented fields.
You may not think that the layout matters all that much, but if it isn’t appropriate for the industry and role you’re aiming to get into, then the hiring manager may think you want to go into a different sector. If you have a plain, ordinary CV, and are aiming to get into a creative field, then you’re not going to come across as very creative at all. Similarly, if you have a CV that looks like it’s aiming for a graphic design career, then a hiring manager for a recruitment role will not look too favourably on it.
If you are unsure on your CV, see our guide which is packed full of tips and expert advice on everything from content order all the way to specific fonts.
Properly fill out a profile on one or two job boards
Most people sign up to websites like Reed, TotalJobs and Jobsite with the sole intention of using it as a way to apply for jobs. What they don’t realise, is that recruiters can access these profiles on the CV database side of the websites, and approach candidates if they see a profile with suitable qualifications and characteristics that suit what they are looking for. If your profile is not filled in properly, or it’s filled in wrong, then you run the risk of being contacted about roles that you have no interest in, and may miss out on roles that you could be perfect for. Spend 10 minutes filling in what you’re interested in, and what you definitely aren’t looking for (if you know 100% that you aren’t interested in a career in sales, but have a profile that would suit a sales opening, state that you’re looking elsewhere). A bonus tip, which may seem obvious, is to make sure that your profile contains your most up-to-date CV, so contact details and work history are all correct.
Don’t ignore LinkedIn
LinkedIn reportedly has over 500million users and somewhere in the region of 10million live job adverts, meaning it is not a platform to be underrated or ignored! The networking site is jam packed with professionals that may be useful in your job search, many of whom actively look out for people with desirable profiles for roles they are recruiting for. Put as much effort into creating your profile and adding details to it as you would to your CV and job applications, as it is effectively a publicised version of both of those things.
There is a great feature on the site which allows others to leave a personal recommendation for you, reinforcing the skills you claim to possess. If you’ve had work experience, or done a placement year, try to get your line manager to write you a short review or endorsement to legitimise your claims, as this will do wonders for your profile.
For more advice on LinkedIn and how to use it to your advantage, read this helpful article.
Utilise social media and be direct
Most companies have someone who looks after their social media pages, and it can be a quick and direct way to get your name known to a company without getting lost in a mass of applications. Once you have chosen an industry and have done research into companies that you can see a future in, then have a look at their social media pages and don’t be afraid to send a direct message! In this modern world, even the smallest companies have some sort of online presence to promote their brand, and may even use those platforms to promote current openings – whether it’s LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or even Instagram, you will never be worse off for taking the initiative to send a company a quick message.
The best things can come in the smallest packages
The biggest companies seem like they are the most glamorous and, because of this, a lot of graduates only apply for names they’ve already heard of and are familiar to. By narrowing your search like this, you’re putting a lid on the possibilities that are you there, and may mean that you miss out on some great opportunities. Don’t ignore the little guys because you think the big names can give you the best start to a career, because in many cases that is simply not true.
When you target the companies with a huge reputation behind them, you are exposing yourself to a fierce amount of competition and, therefore, potential disappointment – the biggest companies will get tens of thousands of applications for a handful of roles, meaning there are always a lot of disappointed candidates, no matter how qualified they may be. Without suggesting that you can’t secure one of those roles, because clearly someone out there is, it may be worth widening your scope to SME’s and start-ups too. You never know what may be waiting for you behind those companies’ doors! We have a full post on the perks of joining a start-up, which goes it to heaps more detail on the matter.
Make sure you know where you stand
It is common for job adverts to include contact details for the person who is dealing with the role, so, if you can, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone or send them an email to enquire about your application. You’ll be able to express your interest in the role and can ask them if they’ve had a chance to look at your CV yet – if it has been a while since you applied, you may learn that they’re no longer hiring and you can move your focus onto other roles, or if they’ve not yet got to your application, you will have created a good impression for when they do get around to it!
The same principle goes for interviews, make sure you know what the next stages are, when you should expect to hear back, and who the point of contact is for updates. This way, you’ll show how much you want the role and, if you’ve been unsuccessful for whatever reason, you can move on swiftly and not waste time waiting for a response. Make sure that your interview prep includes knowing how to close the interview, so you don’t leave with any unanswered questions.
If this article has been helpful, or even just mildly enjoyable to read, have a look at our other posts – we (aim to) post every Thursday, so hit the follow button to be notified about new uploads! If there is anything you’d specifically like to see on the blog, whether that’s tips or opinions, feel free to leave a comment or send an email directly to our Sales and Marketing Executive, Caitlin, via caitlin@5-q.co.uk.
