If you are considering a new job in the New Year, you are certainly far from being alone. The start of a New Year is a time when many people feel enthused about new resolutions and goals. The promise of something new and exciting; the chance to really knuckle down and start progressing in your career. It is especially tempting after the year that we all have had – job losses, redundancies, furlough – it has really worn a lot of people down, and a fresh start is exactly what many people need.
In our latest blog post, we take a look at some of the things that you can do to land your dream job in 2021.
Broaden your horizons
We have all been there. We have gone through college, university or training and have got ourselves settled into a career – and never got out of it. It can be all too easy to feel like you have trained for a particular field, so you have to stay in it – but this could not be any further from the truth.
Start to think outside the box a little more when you’re considering a new career – especially if you’re looking for new motivation. For example, if you can speak more than one language, do not restrict yourself – there is a wealth of opportunities out there, which you should explore in more detail. The perfect job might not be the one you originally thought of or trained for. Take a look at this post for some great career paths for bilingual individuals.
Update your profile
Of course, the holiday season should involve lots of relaxing and enjoying time with your loved ones, but it is also the perfect opportunity to give your job profile a bit of a makeover. Take advantage of this time to get ahead of your competition and give your new career search a head start.
The most obvious place to start is your CV, especially if you have been in your current job for a while. Add any promotions, new skills or certifications and if you are considering a whole new career change, adapt it to suit the new industry. You may also want to take another look at the people you have listed as referees – are they still appropriate?
Some tips to help you include:
- Using the keywords from job descriptions
- Update titles for each job and don’t use the same one more than once
- Check for spelling, grammar and typing errors
- Include any evidence or statistics to back up any claims that you make
Don’t forget to cast your eye over your public social media profiles and update your LinkedIn profile as well. LinkedIn is a great resource for connecting with potential employers and networking with others in the industry, but if your profile is out of date, you might not be connecting with the right people.
Research the market
One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is not doing their research into the market before applying for jobs. Spend a little time over the next couple of weeks looking at the positions that people with your skillset have secured, and where your skills are needed. Take a look at the jobs that are being advertised and make a note of the salaries and benefits of each one. This will help you to make decisions on which path to go down, especially if you are thinking about broadening your horizons.
Attend virtual job fairs
In any other ordinary year, we would be talking about attending job fairs, where you get the opportunity to speak to prospective employers, find out more about the jobs that you are thinking about applying for and make a bit of an impression.
However, in 2020 it’s perhaps fair to say that attending a job fair has been out of the question – unless it’s a virtual one that is.
At the moment, it is one of the best ways to develop a connection with employers. We have shared some tips to help you to get the most out of a virtual job fair, but the main point you need to remember is this: Take it seriously.
It can be difficult to see a virtual event in the same light as an in-person event, but there should be no difference in your approach and professionalism. Here are a few key things to bear in mind:
- Dress to impress – just because you are attending from your bedroom does not mean you shouldn’t dress professionally
- Make sure your technology works – there is nothing worse than someone needing to mess about with cameras and audio when you’re trying to speak to them. Check it all works before you join
- Have your CV and references ready – if you click with an employer, they may ask you to send your documents over immediately. If you have them ready to go, you look keen and prepared – and that is what they want
- Do your research – once you have registered for a job fair, you should be able to see a list of companies that are attending. Do your research on them so that you can ask them pre-prepared questions and show that you are knowledgeable and interested
Nail the interview
Interviews look very different at the moment as a result of COVID-19, with most employers opting to hold many virtually. They can be a little nerve wracking; we all know what to expect with a face-to-face interview, but when it comes to doing them over a computer screen and camera, it is a whole different ball game. This blog shares some tips for interviews in an age of social distancing but essentially:
- Dress exactly as you would for an in-person interview
- Limit distractions – put the cats and dogs in a different room, bribe the kids to watch TV, or ideally, get someone to take them out and make sure there’s no background sounds
- Check your background – avoid novelty Zoom backgrounds and make sure that the space behind you is clear and neutral. If the only place you have got to sit is your child’s Paw Patrol bedroom, pin a white bedsheet to the wall and sit in front of it
- Make sure you make eye contact and look directly at the screen
We do not know what 2021 is going to bring, or how recruitment is going to look as we move through the pandemic and come out the other side. However, this really is the time to start thinking about your future, polishing your CV and finding your top language job.
