Five tips on navigating the current job market
- Publish Date: Posted over 2 years ago
- Author: Better Placed
Over the last 12 months we’ve seen the recruitment market jump from completely stagnant to inundated with opportunities and fantastic talent really reclaiming control of their careers after a period of stasis.
What does that mean? Well it could mean that this is a fantastic time for you to make changes and really think about what you want from your career. But it can also be overwhelming and make it difficult to be sure you’re making the right decisions.
So, what would we recommend? As a bunch of professionals who are in the trenches of this current job market we’ve got a few practical things you can do to help you navigate it.
Find a few jobs you really want and focus on those rather than going broad
When looking across job boards it can seem tempting to send your cv across to every job that you would be capable of doing. Not only does this dilute the passion you’ll feel for the opportunities you put yourself in for but it also means you won’t be demonstrating relevant information to really sell yourself to the jobs you do want.
Spend time on the jobs boards and find a couple of opportunities that really speak to you and put your time into crafting applications for those opportunities rather than applying across the board and wasting your time on conversations with recruiters and hiring managers for jobs you don’t really want.
Define your key achievements in easily communicable metrics
On that, when putting together your applications think about the impact you’ve made in your current and previous jobs. Have you increased metrics by 50%? Sales by a certain monetary figure? Or put in a process that’s saved the business hours and trained staff?
Tell us those things using numbers or by describing the impact. By spending a little time finding that information you make your application tangible and your impact real and very appealing to businesses.
Go in with research on salary banding
Your market worth could be completely different to just a year ago with a market as changeable as this one. Going into a process with a little bit of research or just a few conversations can really enable you to earn more and make sure you’re being paid a fair salary.
Websites like Glassdoor and payscale.com give real insights based on data put in by people in your industry, location and at your seniority level. Entering interviews and conversations with potential employers armed with this information can make a huge difference when it comes to negotiations or signing contracts so shouldn’t be overlooked.
Have clear working practice preferences – but be open to flexibility
Every professional we speak to seems to have a preference for how they work. Whether that’s hybrid setup with a few days in the office and a few from home, condensed weeks, flexible working hours.
However, you do have to bear in mind that most businesses have working policies now with lots opting for staff to have structured days in the office and at home. By being open to these conversations and setups you will have so many more opportunities at your disposal enabling you to find your dream job.
Create a relationship with a trusted recruiter
No surprises that we’re recommending this one! But, recruiters aren’t what they used to be. It’s not a one and done transaction, instead it’s like having a dedicated career advisor who can coach you through every job move you make throughout your career with your preferences and skills front of mind and familiar.
Not to mention negotiating for you, advocating for you and spending time preparing for interviews and briefing you fully on opportunities that they know are right for you.
If you’re looking for an opportunity now, get in touch with our specialist team and start the conversation today!