Looking for a new job? Not sure where to start?
By: Rahaf Al Khatib
Tags: Job Search, Career Coaching, Resume, Recruitment, Job Hunt

(Originally published on 10th April 2017, and updated in 2020 to ensure market relevance)

If you’ve been in your role for a little while, you may be a little out of practice when it comes to the art of the Job-Hunt. With technology and industry practices constantly evolving, it is important to ensure that you are looking in the right places, and utilising all the tools available to you! Read on to find out which crucial steps you must ensure you follow to effectively re-enter the Job Market.

1. Update your CV

The first step most job seekers take when starting their job hunt is to update their CV. This is a critical part of your job search — your CV is all about advertising your skills and experience. It is the first impression you make and could be the difference between getting a callback and not. It is crucial to ensure that you are presenting your skill set correctly, so you must ensure that your CV highlights the skills relevant to each role you are applying for. Don’t fall into the trap of using one CV to apply for you roles — you should be adjusting your CV to suit each role you are applying for to maximise the chances of getting your message across clearly to a prospective employer.

2. Update your LinkedIn profile

Ensuring that you have an up-to-date profile on LinkedIn means that you are more likely to be picked up in searches — this improves the chance of you being headhunted by prospective employers or recruiters acting on behalf of their client. You should make sure that your CV and your LinkedIn profile are cohesive, and include the same information. To be headhunted is the ultimate compliment in the recruitment world! Ensure that your profile is completely filled out, that you have listed your achievements and projects as well as having a summary of your responsibilities for previous roles. A professional profile picture will also make it 11 times more likely that your profile is viewed! Ensuring that your contact details are up to date will also improve the chances of you being tapped on the shoulder.

3. Get your References and Credentials sorted

Ensuring that you have spoken to your referees prior to providing their details to any prospective employers gives you the opportunity to tell them about the role you are applying for as well as ensuring they are still happy to give you a recommendation. Once your referee knows about the role you are applying for, they will be able to give informed responses as to whether or not you would be suitable. This will also ensure that you are not listing a reference that is not available to give a recommendation, which could potentially slow down the process and ultimately cost you the job!

4. Do your Research

Doing your due diligence will ensure that you enter the job market well informed on your worth, the opportunities on offer and what companies will be best suited to your skill set and cultural preferences. Websites such as Pay Scale and Glass Door are useful, however some of this information will be outdated, so it is useful to reach out to a recruiter who specializes in your market, as they will be able to shed some light on the way the market is behaving, as salaries will fluctuate based on varying factors that may not be accounted for in online sources. Recruiters often know from the inside what the culture, turnover and opportunities for progression are within a business, as they are constantly networking with employees currently employed by those companies.

Now that you are armed with an updated CV and LinkedIn profile, and you have spoken to your references and ascertained your worth in the market, it’s time to start your Job Hunt!