Get Ahead of the Job-Hunting Curve Now

With lock down measures in place and no hint of when they might end, the recruitment landscape is particularly challenging right now.

But if you are looking for work or to change career, now is the perfect time to refine your job-hunting strategy.

TPT’s employment team has put together five top tips to get you ahead of the curve to outshine your competition when companies restart their recruitment.

 1. Refresh your CV

Recruiters and employers are likely to receive a higher number of applications than before the pandemic – and when you consider they look at most CVs for just 7-10 seconds – it is essential yours is the best it can possibly be.

If you have not revised your CV for a while, take a look at our CV resources.  These include advice, guidance, examples and template CVs to get you started.

2. Research which sectors are hiring

Although overall recruitment is down there are some industries continuing to hire and actually need more staff to ensure they can still operate.

There are also several home-based roles which are being advertised – more than we have ever seen before.

Look at our job searching resource to get inspiration on where to look and to search as efficiently as possible.

3. Let your network know you are available

Networking is always important when job searching and, in the current climate, using your network might be the key to finding your next role.

Update your profile and share a post on LinkedIn to let your network know you are currently looking for opportunities. Consider using the words “available for work” on your headline to let potential recruiters spot you are available to start a new job, without having to look at your full profile. And let recruiters know you’re open to job opportunities by changing your job seeking preferences in your settings.

Send an email to ex-colleagues and people you know professionally, to let them know you are looking for a new opportunity. The power of the personal recommendation cannot be understated and is currently more important than ever to help get your CV in front of the right person.

4. Use your free time to develop new skills

The world of work is always changing with technological advancements and changes in hiring practices.

It is important job hunters demonstrate they have the skills and knowledge recruiters and employers are looking for. If you are unsure what skills you might be lacking, compare your skill set against the skills listed in job descriptions and person specifications.

Once you know the skills you want to develop, carry out a search of online courses. There are thousands of online training providers and many have made their content free in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read reviews to make sure you are signing up for the course that meets your needs.

5. Volunteer in your local community

Offer your time and skills to organisations that are in desperate need of volunteer support right now!

Volunteering looks great on your CV and provides the opportunity to polish your soft skills. It also provides essential support to communities that need help.

This is the perfect time to look at your job searching strategy, get your CV updated, learn new skills and volunteer to enhance your work history!

Use this time to get ahead and be ahead of the crowd when opportunities start to become readily available!