It's the new year and resolutions have been made. It is the time of the year when people take on new challenges and looking to make an impact this year. There are many job opportunities that can help you achieve your dream, especially one with your ideal employer.
here are 10 tips to help you get started on your job search.
1) revamp your CV
Your CV is usually the first tool to impress your prospective employer, so make sure the basics are right – easy to read, well structured and without spelling mistakes. Include any special achievements you are particularly proud of.
2) reflect on your career path
Identify what motivates you and determine a few short and long term goals to strive towards.
3) research companies you would like to work for
You can start looking for companies that fit your criteria after you have clearly identified your goal. Research the company history and look at its social presence to get a sense of the brand and culture.
4) sign up to regular job alerts
Be the first to know about new opportunities by following your target companies online, signing up to their newsletters and job alerts.
5) write targeted cover letters
Instead of sending a generic cover letter, think about each individual role you apply for and how the responsibilities and qualifications required match your skills and expertise.
6) practice your interview skills
Before your interview, take the opportunity to role play through potential questions you might be asked, and be sure you also prepare a number of questions. You are interviewing the company to see if it's a fit for you, as much as they are interviewing you.
7) promote your personal brand
LinkedIn can serve as an online professional profile - update it with your skills, achievements and interests. Demonstrate your passion for a particular industry or topic by following thought leaders and perhaps even publishing your own ideas. If you have the opportunity to ask for a recommendation, you should put in the request.
8) upskill
Conduct a self-assessment of your current skills and the skills required to land your dream role. If there are gaps in your ability, one of the best things to do is invest time and money in attending a training course to bridge these gaps.
9) grab a coffee
Before you rush into your job search, take time to think about your career goals and get as much information about your career choice, the culture across different companies, industry landscape and trends. Reach out to professionals to pick their brain. If you don't know them, find out how you can reach them and simply offer to invite them for coffee because you're interested to gain their insights.
10) speak to a recruiter
Recruiters who specialise in a particular space will have a lot of information on company, skills requirements, and even jobs that are not on JobsDB. Reach out to as many recruiters to gain wider exposure to job opportunities as well as industry insights.