Top job search tips for Spring
As the days get lighter and spring starts to creep in, there’s no better time to start thinking about your job search. After all, according to our data, the amount of jobs advertised in March increased by 7.6% in 2018 and a further 14.1% the year before.
So, if you’re feeling inspired and ready to explore some new opportunities this month, read on for our top job search tips this March.
Quality over quantity
While many job sites enable you to apply for roles with just 1-click, don’t let this tempt you into frantically applying for every job that’s out there. Sure, it might seem like a good idea to cover all bases. But why not focus your efforts on the opportunities that interest you the most instead?
This is particularly true if the application requires you to answer a range of questions, or even asks you to provide a video. Either way, investing your time on the roles that you really want is key; don’t settle for anything but the best.
Tailor your CV
While this is one of those job search tips that you hear all the time, you’d be surprised at just how many people still submit generic CVs when applying for jobs. The trouble is, if your CV isn’t tailored to the role you’re applying for, you risk missing out on the opportunity because you aren’t showcasing your skills in the right way.
Think about it. An employer has very strict criteria in mind when writing their job advert. In order to boost your chance of securing an interview, your CV should match what they’re looking for: whether it’s your skills, experience or education. So, take the time to tailor your CV to every role you apply for and you’ll stand a better chance of making it into the ‘yes’ pile.
Clean up your social media
If you’re embarking on your job hunt this March, be sure to clean up your social media profiles. Employers don’t want to see drunken photos on Facebook from a recent night out, nor do they want to read your ramblings on Twitter.
If in doubt, set your profiles to private and ask a friend or family member to double-check them for you. What’s more, make sure you spend time perfecting your LinkedIn profile, ensuring you have a professional profile picture and that it matches the contents of your CV.
Use a range of tools
Whether you sign up to a specialist recruitment agency like The Works, or register your CV on a job board like CV-Library, it’s important to make use of the tools available to you. Recruiters will be your best friends during your job search, so use their insights and ask for feedback where possible so you can make ongoing improvements.
What’s more, be sure to make us of helpful online resources, such as CV templates. There’s plenty of helpful advice online that will enable you to maximise your search.
Research companies
If you already have an idea of the company you want to work at next, be sure to do some research on the business. This might include looking at their website to get a feel of their mission, vision and values, or looking them up on employee review sites to get a feel for their company culture.
Investing the necessary time in getting to grips with the company and the type of people it employees can help massively in your job search. What’s more, it enables you to tailor your cover letter and show how passionate you are about working there.
Be kind to yourself
When you’re looking for a new job, it can become pretty demoralising if you’re facing rejection after rejection. What’s more, perhaps you’re stuck in a job you hate, but don’t have the time or energy to find a new position.
If this is the case, there’s one thing you need to do and that’s to be kind to yourself. Looking for a job can be a job in itself, so be patient and don’t put yourself under too much pressure. The right job will come up at the right time and the most important thing to do is to look after your health.
Make use of these job search tips
If you’re searching for a new job this March, hopefully the above advice should help you to put together a winning CV and apply for the right roles. If in doubt, make use of the tools and advice available to you and spend the necessary time on researching each opportunity. Good luck!