STAY JOB-SEARCH READY AND GET AN EDGE ON THE COMPETITION

A great role could come up at any moment, likewise redundancy could unexpectedly throw you into the job market. If you’re prepared for either eventuality, you’ll be able to react quickly and get a head start on the competition.

TREAT YOUR RÉSUMÉ AS A LIVING DOCUMENT AND YOU’LL BE IN THE BOX SEAT

In this guide we show the value of preparation and the steps you can take to keep your personal brand relevant and ready to work for you.

WHY PREPARATION IS SO IMPORTANT

These days, very few people have the luxury of a secure, job-for-life role. Corporate restructuring, budget cuts, process streamlining, automation and uncertainty around the economy all mean it pays to be prepared for a job search. Equally most employers want to fill a role as quickly as possible so it’s a good idea to be ready when a job you like the look of becomes available.

Even if you are not actively looking right now, you should know what sort of role and company you would consider, and have a good idea of how much you are worth. You should also keep an eye on job adverts all year round so that you know who is recruiting and what they are paying.

Treat your resume and online profiles as living documents, regularly updating them rather than waiting until you need to find a job. Recruiters might be looking at you before a role is even advertised, so you want to appear relevant and engaged at all times and it’s often obvious when a profile is hastily put together in reaction to an advert. Also remember, an increase in activity on sites such as LinkedIn might make colleagues suspicious. If you do need to make several updates to your online profile it’s worth making sure you turn off notifications to your contacts.

The right preparation will also help you focus your job search by highlighting what you want to change and what skills and experience you have. Don’t apply to roles or send your CV to recruiters until you’re ready to talk in a clear and compelling way about yourself when they pick up the phone. You only get one chance to make a good first impression.

KEEP ON NETWORKING

Don’t drop off your professional networks just because you’re not looking for a job. Keep in regular contact with people who could be helpful if you need to start a search – being referred by a current employee is the best way to get yourself in the door at a company. Here are a few ways to do it:

• Be an active member of your network and contribute to relevant groups, so that you’re in the minds of employers when the time comes. If you meet someone at a conference, connect with them online. If you are attending or hosting an event, list it on LinkedIn so your network is notified and can share it with their connections.
• Publish or share relevant, high quality content so that you regularly crop up in people’s social media feeds. Nobody needs to see any more motivational quotes but a thought-provoking piece on a subject you are passionate about and have some expertise in will reflect well on you. Always double check posts for typos.
• Ask previous colleagues for recommendations. Go for quality over quantity.

Do these things well and you might find a job comes to you before it is advertised. But always be aware employers will judge you based on your online profile, so think how something will affect your personal brand before you post it.

HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR JOB SEARCH PREPARATION?

First of all, if you like the company you work for, but not your role, explore the options with your current employer. You may be able to achieve your career goals without leaving, and explaining you’ll start looking externally for opportunities if something can’t be found internally might push your boss to act. But if you decide it is time to start searching, here are some things to consider first:

• Decide what skills you need to develop before you start your job search. If you need to do a refresher course or get an additional qualification, do it before actively searching, if possible.
• Consider mentoring. Either being a mentor or being mentored will add to your skills and experience.
• Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Once you know them it’s easier for you to identify roles that are best suited to your natural abilities and interests.
• Consolidate your strengths into a list of four to six and work out career moments that prove those strengths and their positive impact on your work. Read guide Understanding, owning and talking about your strengths and weaknesses to learn more.
• Practice talking about your situation. By this we mean how you articulate why you’re looking for a new job, what circumstances led to that, what role you’re looking for and why and what point you’re at in your search. We recommend writing it down, making it as concise as possible and learning it.
• Create a credible and compelling general resume reflecting your key experience and skills, that you can share internally if asked or speculatively if someone wants to see your profile before a job is advertised or published.
• Target your resume for specific roles. When a job is advertised tailor your resume to it. Include key words so that an applicant tracking system (ATS) – recruitment software increasingly used by large companies to screen candidates will rank you highly. Read guide Resumes still rule! Make sure yours isn’t rejected to learn more.
• Review your online footprint. Google yourself, look at your social media, is there anything that might put off an employer? It’s a good idea to take down posts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram that might damage your brand. Or keep your social media private and your professional profiles public, so that recruiters can only see what you want them to see. Take a look at our guide to online profiles.
• Make sure your resume and online profile are consistent. A recruiter will look at LinkedIn, Google+ and any other online communities where your professional experience might be referenced. So details such as dates and roles should match, if they don’t they’ll wonder why.
• Use a headshot on your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn studies have shown that profiles with a photo get 30% more clicks in search results. If you can, get a professional one taken.
• Join industry-specific talent communities. These are groups of professionals who all share an interest in the same employer and regularly engage with them online. It is a mutually beneficial relationship: industry specific topics and information can be discussed openly and securely in the group, candidates can keep themselves in employers’ minds and recruiters can provide a positive candidate experience while speeding up the recruitment process.
• Spend ten minutes a day broadening your professional knowledge by, for example, reading relevant journals, researching online or listening to a Ted Talk. This will help you form opinions about trends in your industry that you can discuss at an interview.
• Get in touch with recruiters in your sector or area of specialization regularly. A good recruiter will keep you updated on key movements, salaries and changes in your space. Read guide How to create a relationship with recruiters that really works to learn more.

It’s time consuming, but keeping on top of your brand is worth the effort. When a job comes up recruiters are more likely to be identify you as a strong candidate and move you quickly through the recruitment process.FIVE THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1. Be clear about your situation and your attributes. Be ready to explain them in a concise and compelling way.
2. Regularly update your resume and online profiles.
3. Contribute to relevant networks regularly and build your personal brand.
4. Be aware of, and have a view on, key trends in your industry.
5. Identify appropriate recruiters and engage with them.