Does the thought of job hunting scare the heebie-jeebies out of you? Do your hands go clammy at the prospect of updating your C.V.? Or perhaps panic sets in every time you imagine selling the best version of yourself at a job interview?
It’s not just around Halloween when job hunting can appear to be a terrifying experience – but it seemed only fitting that now would be a great time to help you tackle those job-hunting demons with these easy steps:
1. Ensure your C.V. is up-to-date.
Even if you’re not planning on looking for a new job any time soon it’s always useful to have an updated version of your C.V. to hand. You never know when that dream job opportunity may suddenly spring up (plus there’s no guarantee that your current job is ever 100% secure). Not sure how to go about writing your C.V.? Don’t worry – we’ve put together a handy guide to help you.
2. Prepare a cover letter (if required).
Cover letters aren’t always necessary these days – some would even say they’ve become redundant. Here at Carrot, our consultants will produce a write-up on your behalf using the knowledge they’ve gathered from speaking with you. If you’re applying independently or have been asked for a cover letter be sure to tailor it towards the role you’re applying for as opposed to using the same cover letter for all your applications. This may seem time-consuming, but take it from us, it’ll be worth it in the end!
3. Don’t just apply for everything and anything.
Take the time to think about what it is you really want to be doing in your next job – is there a particular new skill you want to develop, a new avenue you wish to go down, or something you’re keen to learn more about? Once you’ve figured out what this is try to focus your job search on this area. This being said, there may be roles out there suitable for your skillset that you’re unaware of – this is something a recruitment consultant can guide you with.
4. Prepare yourself for interviews.
It’s safe to say we’ve written A LOT about preparing you for an interview during the job hunting process; what to wear, questions to ask etc. and you can read about all of these on our blogs page here. Don’t worry if you end up having several job interviews at different companies where you aren’t offered the role or they decide not to take your application any further – use these as a learning experience. Think about what went well for you (and what not so well) and work on these for the next interview you attend. No one likes rejection but try to see the positives in this if you can.
5. Handing in your notice.
Telling your boss that you’ve accepted a job elsewhere and that you’ll be leaving the company is seen by some as the most terrifying part of the entire job-hunting process. But there’s nothing to fear here. If your boss is understanding they’ll be sad to see you leave yet supportive that you’re advancing your career elsewhere – and if they’re a bit narky about you handing in your notice then it’s probably for the best that you’re leaving! It’s not uncommon for your current company to try to counter offer you. This will usually involve offering you a higher salary, which may seem great at the time, but once this excitement has worn off you’ll still be working in a role you were unhappy in. Here is our guide on how to deal with a potential counter offer.
Yes, the prospect of job hunting can be a daunting one. But if you’re thinking about looking for a new venture in the first place this suggests you’re not happy in your current role. So, no matter how scary you may find the whole process of applying for a new job, it’s surely worth attempting to tackle your demons and look for your next happy job!
