Job Search Advice That Everyone Should Know

Use these job search tactics provided by our experts to help land yourself the perfect job and light a fire under your career.

When it comes to searching for a new job, deciding what you want to do, writing a standout CV, knowing where to look, and then applying for the job itself can be an overwhelming process. With the expertise of Tomas Jordan, one of our Technical Recruiters in London, we have compiled a list of five pieces of job search advice that everyone should know.

Develop your Online Brand

Since the global pandemic, recruiters have become more reliant than ever on technology to support the hiring process. As a job seeker, it could be an opportunity missed if you are not active online. LinkedIn is a great place to start – 87% of recruiters use it regularly to search for and validate candidates and three people are hired directly through LinkedIn every minute. While this platform hasn’t replaced the traditional CV, being present and active on LinkedIn is one way to help ensure that you can be found and stand out in a crowded and competitive job market.

Establish a Network

Securing a job often comes down to who you know as well as what you know, so it’s important to develop advocates of your personal band who will recommend you when a relevant opportunity arises. Before posting an advert or searching their database, recruiters will often ask people in their network if they know someone who could be suitable for their role. The theory is that good people tend to know good people and the goal is to speed up the search process by being referred to someone with the right skills for the job. Clients also see value in this approach as the additional validation from someone credible in the market can help minimise the hiring risk for them.

Regularly networking at events or virtually through LinkedIn can also help you connect with relevant people in your industry or in the type of companies you’d like to work for – relationships you may later leverage when searching for a job.

Build a Relationship with Your Recruiter

Building a network goes hand in hand with building a partnership with your recruiter. This is because not all jobs make it to market – often, they’re filled through word of mouth (a referral) or because the candidate was already known to the recruiter. By building a great relationship with your recruiter, you’ll remain in their minds and you’re more likely to be considered first when their client has a need.

A recruiter’s success and reputation are dependent on finding and placing the best candidates in the market. To do this, recruiters not only source for the right skills, but also for candidates who demonstrate loyalty, commitment and will represent them well to their client. It’s worth taking time to invest in this partnership to ensure you are not overlooked when a relevant role comes along.

Include Relevant Keywords in your CV

To identify suitable candidates, recruiters search their internal database, job boards and LinkedIn for keywords that show up on their client's job description. Using keywords when building your CV and LinkedIn profile is an important step to take to help you be found. While this only goes so far to prove if someone is right for the job, it is important to ensure you’re found at this stage. One way to do this is to use the job description for the role you’re applying for and ensure the language and job titles in your CV and LinkedIn mirrors it.

Focus on Quality of Applications

Perception is reality and in the recruitment industry candidates often weaken their reputation by over-applying for jobs. This can leave recruiters questioning how much the candidate really cares about their job, how likely they are to accept if offered or how likely they are to remain in the role if something better comes along. When job hunting applying for more than one job will give you the best chance of success but finding a balance of quality over quantity is key.

There is no right or wrong answer for how many jobs to apply for but, before you do, ask yourself the following questions first:

• Do I have most, if not all, the required key skills?
• Am I committed to this application?
• Would I accept the job if offered?
• Have I taken time to tailor my CV before applying?
  
  

Ultimately, the client will decide who they hire next, but the recruiter has a hugely influential role in the hiring process and can help be the bridge to your next opportunity. In combining the steps above with a great recruiter partnership, you should be well prepared the next time you’re in the market for a role.