Struggling to find your perfect position?
OK, so getting a new role isn’t always an easy challenge. But just because you haven’t landed your dream job yet, it doesn’t mean you never will. Even something as simple as making a few small changes to your application could greatly increase your chances – you just need to know where to start.
To help you turn your search around, here are our top tips on what to do if you can’t find a job that works for you:
Rethink your CV
Don’t hear back from employers after sending your CV? Maybe it’s time to tweak the formula.
After all, doing the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of insanity (thanks, Einstein). And by not updating your application, you could be including the same clichés and mistakes over and over again – just because you haven’t taken the time to review what you’ve sent.
So take some time to go back through your CV, check for errors, reassess the format, and ask a friend or family member to give their opinion. Just a few simple tweaks could make a huge difference.
Five lines that are killing your CV
Four ways to follow up after an application
Tailor your applications
Never send the same application to every opportunity that pops up. No exceptions.
Taking the time to tailor your CV to each individual opening will show the employer that you’ve gone the extra mile, and really want to work for them. On the other hand, generic applications will just make you come across lazy and disinterested – helping you stand out for all the wrong reasons.
So use the job description to inform your CV and cover letter, really write about why you want the role, and match your application to what they’ve specifically outlined they’re looking for.
And, if you don’t have a whole lot of experience to brag about, shift the focus onto your skillset. Make a shortlist of all of your relevant attributes and dedicate a sentence or two to each one, explaining how you gained it and how it will help you in your new role.
What recruiters are really looking for in your CV
Reassess your ambitions
If you’re still not getting many responses, you may have set your sights too high (or too low).
This isn’t just a waste of your time, it’s also counterproductive for your morale. So, instead of applying for positions which demand a lot of experience, or qualifications you might not yet have, think about whether you’re really right for the role.
It could be that starting out in a more junior position could help you get your foot in the door, and give you much better opportunities for progression.
Alternatively, you might want to try expanding your search parameters. Instead of focusing all of your efforts on your dream job, think about other potential avenues of employment that would utilise the skills and abilities you’ve accrued to date. Widening the net might actually end up being the best thing for your career.
Try temping
If you can’t find the permanent position you’re looking for, why not give temping a try?
Just getting back on the horse can do wonders for your motivation, not to mention your bank balance. Temping can also boost your employment prospects, helping to fill any unexplained periods of unemployment with practical experience.
You could also try volunteering, taking on an internship or looking for work experience, which will help get your name in front of the right people – not to mention provide some instant added value for your CV.
As a result, you’ll show off your dedicated work ethic and a willingness to turn your hand to anything, even if it’s not your ideal role. And that’s something all employers will find attractive.
Check your (social) networking
Ok, so it’s a well-known fact that networking can help you get into your chosen field. But sending a few speculative messages out there to employers isn’t the only way to get noticed.
Your social media accounts say a lot about you as a person, and are often checked by recruiters before you’re invited for an interview. So make sure your Facebook, Instagram and Twitter profiles only showcase your best qualities and don’t contain any embarrassing or incriminating photos.
It’s also essential that you don’t forego the human aspect of the recruitment process. Face-to-face meetings can sometimes be more valuable than any online interaction, so cultivate your network of contacts in your chosen field by reaching out to them for an opportunity to discuss work.
Even if they can’t point you in the direction of a vacancy, there’s every chance they know someone who can.
How to make your social media recruiter safe
Five ways social media is costing you the job
Don’t give up hope
Finally, never lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel.
No matter what industry you’re in, jobseeking isn’t always an easy process. But approaching your search with a good level of self-awareness and a positive mindset can make a big difference when it comes to finding the right role.
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I agree with all of Reed’s suggestions but would like to point out that it is very difficult to keep hope when AGENCIES don’t return your calls and e-mails (including REED who told me to register with other agencies!) and employers do not acknowledge or respond to applications. I personally feel that I am sending applications and my CV (which i adapt to every application) into a virtual black hole. Not working is already isolating – this virtual “black hold” is quite honestly making my feel like I’m in solitary confinement! Come on guys – when employers demand “excellent communication skills” and “good team player” they could at least display these qualities themselves by treating candidates with respect and not as a kleenex ready for the bin.
Well said I totally agree, you spend the time tailoring your CV for the role and to not receive any type of response, it is hard to stay positive. A simple email wouldn’t go a miss.
I get the interviews but someone else always gets the job, but I think there is a bit of ageism going on with me…not that I would ever be able to prove it. I only have another 5 years to retirement, and really don’t see temping for 5 years as a substitute for a permanent post of long term fixed term contract. Temping you just cannot be ill, because you don’t get sick pay, and as we get older we tend to be more likely to get more of the common illnesses such as colds and flu.
Ageism is there. I have first hand experience. I’ve applied in excess of 3000 jobs. One reply. If you phone up to ‘chase’, which is a waste of time, they are either out of the office/on holiday/sick. One day I phoned twice. They went from being at a meeting to being on holiday in the same day. I’m close to giving up. Very close.