24 Top Job Search Tips for 2024
18 Oct, 20232 - 3 minutes
In today's extremely competitive job market, embarking on a job search can be a daunting journey. However, with the right strategies and insights, you can navigate this path to success more effectively.
Whether you're a recent graduate stepping into the professional world or a seasoned veteran seeking new horizons, finding the right job requires more than just submitting applications. It demands a strategic approach, a polished CV, effective networking, and a keen understanding of the modern job market.
In our latest blog, we'll explore a treasure trove of invaluable job search tips, offering insights on crafting the perfect CV, acing interviews, nurturing professional connections, and staying resilient through the process.
1. Reach out to friends and family
It’s not what you know but who you know! See if there are any open positions where your friends and family work. They also might be able to help you succeed in the recruitment process.
2. Visit a careers fair
Head over to your local careers fair to discover any open positions and an insight into what it is like working at your preferred company.
3. Get networking
Creating connections within your industry will increase your chances of finding a job opportunity which suits your skills and experience. You could network face to face at industry events or connect with professionals via LinkedIn and build an online network.
4. Create a plan
It would be a good idea to jot down what your ideal job role looks like. This should include how far you are willing to travel, the contract type and what a positive work life balance looks like for you. This will help you to avoid wasting time applying for jobs which do not match what you are looking for.
5. Sign up to a recruitment agency
Registering with a recruitment agency is one of the best things you can do in a job search. Experienced recruiters will be able to take the pressure off your job search by matching you to positions which match what you’re looking for and by negotiating terms which are in your interest. A good recruiter will also be able to coach you with CV advice and interview tips to ensure you have the best chance of securing the role.
6. Focus on soft skills
As important as hard skills are, employers are equally interested in your soft skills. Soft skills are extremely valuable to an employer as they are attributes which come naturally to an individual and don’t need to be learnt, such as being organised, a good time keeper, personable and a good communicator.
7. Use feedback to your advantage
If you have an unsuccessful interview, most employers will provide constructive feedback as to why they have chosen not to progress your application. Instead of taking it to heart, use their feedback to improve your interview technique in future interviews.
8. Keep an open mind
Whilst knowing which roles you will excel in is important for you to meet your full potential, it’s a good idea to be open minded to other vacancies which employers have available. Being open to hybrid or remote working will increase the number of opportunities available to you and this might mean that you can explore job opportunities further afield.
9. Follow companies on social media
Following companies you like the look of on social media is a great way to hear about new opportunities which suit your skills and experience. Should the opportunity to interview for a position arise, you’ll already be one step ahead of other candidates by having knowledge about the company's culture and news.
10. Spring clean your social media
Whether you like it or not, some employers will check out job applicants on social media before an interview. If you’re active on social media, it’s important that a hiring manager doesn’t find anything incriminating or something which will paint you in a negative light.
11. Follow up with the hiring manager
If you haven’t heard back from the hiring manager (within the time frame they advised) there’s no harm in sending a polite email to check in on the status of your application. Keep your email short and sweet to reiterate your interest but avoid nagging them.
12. Don’t limit yourself to online applications
Whilst online job posts are how most employers choose to advertise vacancies, it doesn’t mean that you’re limited to applying through just these channels. Just because a job isn’t being advertised doesn’t mean that a vacancy doesn’t exist. Emailing or hand delivering your CV to a company will make a great impression and really show your enthusiasm for joining their company.
13. Don’t let a rejection deter you
Whilst being turned down for a role can be disheartening, you shouldn’t take it personally. The best thing to do is to learn from the experience and maintain a positive attitude for the remainder of your job search. The perfect job could be just around the corner!
14. Be realistic
While there’s no harm in having aspirations and aiming high, there’s also no point wasting your own time creating and distributing CVs for roles which you are clearly not qualified for. Instead, focus your energy into applying for roles which match your skills and experience.
15. Look for hidden vacancies
Word of mouth is a great way to hear about vacancies which are yet to be advertised. If you know someone who works for a company you’d also like to work for, ask them to keep an eye out for any vacancies (perhaps on an internal job board) so you can get your application in first. They might even be able to put in a good word for you!
16. Think creatively
If you want to make your CV stand out from other applicants, consider adding creative elements such as an infographic. Infographics are a great way to display information such as your exam grades and qualifications instead of just listing a block of unimaginative text.
17. Use your time wisely
If you’re currently out of employment, don’t waste the time you have available to you. Use the time to keep up with any changes in your industry or to take part in an activity which will benefit your career.
18. Be active on LinkedIn
When using LinkedIn, join groups, network and post regularly to show you’re passionate about your industry. You never know, a recruiter or headhunter might get in contact with you about a career opportunity if they like what they see.
19. Have faith in your abilities
Confidence during an interview will show a hiring manager that you are proficient in your career and capable of doing the job well. Bear in mind however that there is a fine line between confident and cocky.
20. Turn on email alerts
You wouldn’t want to miss out on your dream role because you didn’t know it existed. Once registered, job boards and recruitment agencies will allow you to set up email alerts for roles which match your criteria - it’s definitely worth making the most of this feature so you can be the first to hear about new opportunities!
21. Tailor your CV to each employer
We can’t stress how important it is to tailor your CV to each employer. A hiring manager will spot a generic CV from a mile off! If you bulk send the same CV to multiple employers, it might give them the impression that you’re lazy and you aren’t really interested in their vacancy.
22. Get interview ready
There’s no harm in getting interview ready during this phase of the recruitment process! Practising answers to common interview questions (in particular using the STAR technique) will help you to feel more confident and comfortable when you are invited to an interview.
23. Prioritise your mental health
Whilst job hunting can be exciting, it can also be a high pressure situation. The most important thing to remember is that your mental health must remain a priority. If you’re beginning to have negative thoughts, take some time out and come back to your job search when your mental health isn’t being negatively impacted.
24. Start networking
Often it's not what you know but who you know! Attend in-person industry conferences and events to expand your professional connections. This can be particularly advantageous if you have a company in mind which you would like to join. Alternatively, online networking on platforms such as LinkedIn can be just as beneficial.
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Since 2017, we've been changing the face of recruitment. From our employees, to the way we do business, to the culture within our office, we're determined to make a difference and create a positive impact on everyone around us.
Recruitment to us isn't just about matching candidates and clients; we’re passionate about finding candidates the perfect job which has the ability to boost their salary and standard of living, better their work life balance and improve their mental health.
Similarly, we understand the impact which an experienced and skilled employee can make to a business and we love seeing clients thrive through the hard work of candidates which we have placed with them.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
Planning, Development & Regeneration
Highways, Infrastructure & Engineering
If you’re searching for a new role, why not visit our job page to take a look at the latest opportunities? Alternatively, upload your CV and one of our experienced consultants will contact you when a relevant opportunity becomes available.
If you’re struggling to fill a role, why don’t you give us a call on 01772 954200 to see how we can help? One of our consultants will be happy to listen to the challenges which you are facing and advise on the best possible solution for you.
Related Posts
Tips To Fall in Love With Your Job Again
13 Feb, 2024
10 Signs It’s Time To Find a New Job
01 Nov, 2023
