​Kick-start your 2023 job search with these expert tips!

As we enter the new year, many of us are feeling more inspired to start something new and a change in careers or a move up in your industry could be just the thing to change your life for the better.

Have you been considering a change in jobs for a while? What about breaking into a new industry? Or perhaps you’re on the lookout for a new role for another reason. Either way, we’re here to help!

Not sure where to start? Keep on reading to get excited about where you could be in 2023.

💬 Network, network, network!

Making connections is one of the most effective ways to find your nearest opportunities. If you haven’t been keeping in touch with those in your network, now is a great time to reach out. A simple message such as ‘I hope you are having a great start to the new year’ could restart a connection when reaching out to someone.

Don’t be afraid to get chatting with new people in an industry you are interested in and mention what kind of opportunities you’re looking for. This can mean you are fresh in someone’s mind the moment a role arises that meets your skillset and goals.

However, it’s important to stay in touch with your network regularly and not just when you need something. Staying connected can help you learn more, build relationships and inspire your career growth.

📲 Ask for an informational interview

If you are interested in new roles or moving into a different industry, informational interviews can help you gain knowledge to know if you are on the right track. One easy way to gain insight is through recruiters who can set up an informal chat to provide career advice for specific sectors.

For instance, they can let you in on the top skills tech companies are looking for or even find a new industry that matches your strengths. Once they know your career goals, they can put you forward for the best roles that suit you – taking the pressure off your job search instantly!

✔️ Identify your strengths

Think about the last time you were job hunting… What has changed since then? You’ve probably taken on new responsibilities, worked on specific projects, and grown to learn more in a different area which all contributes to building on your existing strengths and forming new ones.

For instance, if you are contributing to your company’s social media then you’ve strengthened your marketing and digital skills. If you’ve helped manage a team of people, you’ve also built on your team-working and managerial skills. Working on a new report, project or presentation can mean you’ve enhanced your data analysis abilities.

Identifying the key areas you’ve worked in can help you pinpoint where you have advanced professionally. You may find that you’ve gained more strengths than you realised and can start to recognise how valuable both these soft and hard skills are for companies today.

📄 Using desired skills on your CV

Now it’s time to update your CV and LinkedIn profile with your latest strengths. Matthew Evers is a Senior IT Recruitment Specialist at VANRATH who suggests choosing three main skills from your desired job role descriptions and making these front and centre.

Making it clear from the get-go that you uphold the key strengths needed, means you will immediately start checking off boxes to the employer becoming a more interesting candidate.

As well as your identified strengths and skills, make sure you also update your CV with accomplishments and references.

👩‍💻 Be active on LinkedIn

Having an updated and well-established LinkedIn profile is sure to give you the edge on your job-searching journey in 2023. If you’re not on LinkedIn yet, it is never too late to start!

Not only can you share posts and examples of recent projects you’ve worked on, but you can also connect with others in your industry or other sectors that can inspire you and even lead to more networking opportunities.

We asked some of our recruiters what can make your LinkedIn profile stand out:

“Turn on your ‘open to work’ function so that recruiters and hiring managers can easily find you.” Alannah Conlon, IT Recruitment Consultant.

“Use a strong and professional profile photograph to help you stand out to employers” Damian Della Croce, Director.

“Don’t be afraid to connect with others in your industry and send them a message.” Jamie Gault, Senior Recruitment Specialist.

“Be active by sharing posts on your latest projects and what you are learning in your industry.” Chris Haddock, Senior Recruitment Specialist.

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Interested in more news, hints and tips? Read our latest blogs HERE!