Michael Edge's Top 5 Job Searching Tips
I think It’s fair to say that 2020 was unprecedentedly direful, however with things slowly returning back to normal, more and more jobs are starting to become available. A good way to apply for a job is via the kickstart scheme, which gives people an opportunity to take part in a 6-month job opportunity and provides a minimum of 25 hours per week, which could lead to permanent employment with that company. The hospitality and leisure sectors have started to open back up as well, which will give many opportunities to people who are looking for or who need work.
I personally have struggled to look for work as I had been unemployed for just short of a year, and looking for work was stressful because I was always applying for jobs but getting no replies. I then took part in some courses and learned more skills, as well as applying for the kickstart scheme. The kickstart scheme helped a lot, as it allowed me to be noticed a lot easier via help from the Job Centre. I am now working at DBC Training through the kickstart scheme and am hopeful for my future.
We know how challenging it can be to find a new job and with the competition being fierce, how can you best utilize the job market to start your career in 2021?
Here are 5 tips to maximize your effective job searching in 2021.
1. Create a CV that oozes personality and shows off your soft skills in all their employable glory. If you can show why a certain soft skill will make it easier to learn a particular hard skill, you’ve sorted it.
Attend different courses to expand your CV, it is very important to be able to write a CV correctly, as it is the CV that determines the first impression of a person in front of the employer. The main task of any CV is to show not just your strengths, but those that are important to a potential employer.
Typically, companies that look at candidates with no experience expect them to learn quickly. Therefore, it is worth mentioning in your CV that you are capable of doing this, and are interested in getting as good as possible in the profession.
2. You should not underestimate your opportunities, nor exaggerate them. It is worth learning to speak confidently about your skills and abilities in interviews.
Get started by mapping out the transferable skills you have and pair them with examples of where you have demonstrated them. Some examples of transferable skills include:
Communication
Conflict resolution
Planning
Decision-making
Problem-solving
Add these transferable skills to your CV and tailor them to fit the organisation, especially if you are moving to a new industry.
3. Take out some pens and paper and make a Venn diagram that can help guide your way to success.
List all the skills, experience, and personal traits needed for your future job. Then, add the skills, experience, and personal traits you already have and see where the two circles overlap.
You can use this as a reference to see what you need to improve and what you can highlight in your CV and cover letter.
4. Be patient, and be willing to start at the bottom. Getting your foot into the door may take some time. It may be exhausting and seem like a good-ish idea at the time, but if it’s what you want to do and what makes you happy, then go for it!
5. While you’re casually scrolling through Facebook or Twitter, you could also be on your way to finding a new job. The world is now more digital than ever, so why not make the most of it?
By following some regional accounts like your local Jobcentre Plus or local businesses, you’ll be the first to see when new vacancies open up, and they will be right there in front of you so you won’t have to spend hours looking
If finding a new job feels endless and overwhelming, why not sign up to get email alerts from a job-hunting site like Indeed or LinkedIn.
Instead of having to look through jobs that you don't want, you can choose to receive alerts about any specific roles you have experience or are interested in, and you can upload your CV and qualifications directly so potential employers know who you are and why you're a great candidate for the job.
I wish you good luck in your future job seeking, and remember that there is always a job somewhere out there for you!