How to go on the job hunt?
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Whether you’re coming back to the workforce from a child-rearing career break, or simply looking for a change, starting the job hunt all over again can be a daunting process, especially if vacancies in your field are dwindling.
Studies suggest that job vacancies are starting to fall, making it more important than ever for you to stand out from the crowd when looking for a new job.
If the time has come for you to start the search for your new career, here are just four fantastic tips to help you out along the way.
Update your CV
Whether you’ve been out of work for a while, or even just in the same job for most of your working life, your CV will probably need updating. Your CV needs to be clear and concise, relevant and readable; make sure that you demonstrate your suitability for the specific position right at the start.
You want to make sure you stand out, especially if a hiring manager has a lot of resumes to look through.
Learn new skills
From advancing your education to gaining transferable soft skills, learning something new can help you thrive not only in the job market but in the role you end up hiring for. For example, many of us state on our CVs that we’re able to use Microsoft Excel, but how many of us fully grasp its features? Rather than just stating that you can use it, take the time to actually learn how.
You could also consider taking on other useful skills, such as learning a second language with software such as Rosetta Stone. Not only can this make you a more appealing candidate, but it can also improve your traveling adventures too.
Understand how companies hire
Not all companies hire in the same way, so gaining an understanding of how the different hiring processes can help you thrive in your job hunt. Of course, if you’re applying to a smaller company, the hiring managers will probably still read through CVs manually.
However, larger companies often use applicant tracking software, such as Oleeo, to find the most relevant CVs.
This means that you should make sure that your CV contains keywords that are related to the job, maximizing the chances that yours will make it through to the next stage.
Reaffirm your interest
Once you’ve had your interview, your instinct might be to sit at home in the dark and pick over every answer that you gave. However, there is a much more useful way you can spend the time that you’re waiting to hear back: following up.
After your interview, take the time to contact the hiring manager and thank them for the opportunity. Not only can you reaffirm your interest in the role, but it will help you stand out.
Have you recently secured a new job? Share your job-hunting tips in the comments below!