How to find and secure the role that will make you happy at work

So we are nearly at the end of January and Christmas seems but a distant memory to most of us. Dry January is almost over and New Year’s Resolutions are almost a month in (obviously I am aware that a few may have already fallen off the metaphorical wagon), but what if your resolution for 2015 is to find a new job? Have you started looking? Is the excuse of having another 11 months of 2015 providing you with the perfect distraction? January is the month to put into practice all the goals and aims from the previous year. Whether it is saving for a house, buying that amazing Mulberry handbag, or finding that dream job, there is no time like the present!

So… how do you make the next move or find your dream position? Here are 5 easy steps!

Get in the right mind-set: Think about the skills you have and the things you’re good at and use these to help you decide what you want to do, or where you want to be. Do you want to progress in the same area, or are you looking for a change?

Dust-off your CV and sell yourself: Write and format your CV. Sell yourself and show yourself in the best light possible. Ask a friend or a family member to read it, ask them if it is legible and clear. Use a font that looks good both on screen and in hard copy, fancy fonts may look impressive, but will just give the reader a headache if they are trying to read hundreds of CV’s. For any help and tips give my blog a read “your CV matters, How to put your best foot forward”. A well written CV is invaluable and can make all the difference.

Put yourself out there: Find a medium that works for you. Create a good social media presence, be professional and clear emphasise what you have and why somebody else should want to use you. This is also the stage were you may contact a recruitment consultant to aid you with your search. Again have a look around, speak to a few different recruiters, and find out who you think you would like to represent you. Recruiters can not only help you to find your next position, but can also give you a lot of market knowledge and information. A good recruiter is worth their weight in gold. Make a note of every role you are spoken to about, apply for or are sent to. If you do choose to work with an agency ensure they are working in your best interests, and most definitely don’t let them send your CV to a role without speaking to you about it first.

Control the Process: Keep a handle on all the places you have been sent, and where each role is up too. Try get feedback on every position you are sent for whether the outcome is positive or negative, a good recruiter should always keep in touch. Again make a note of all your updates, at which stage each job as at, keeping track of your progress is essential at this stage. Any interview you get invited too or attend need noting as well. Keep a diary of your own thoughts and feelings of how each conversation or interview went, keeping control of your own process is the most important aspect as this period can become confusing.

Final stages: You have an interview at an amazing firm, so give yourself the best chance of getting the position. Look the business, dress for the position you want to fill, and aim to appear calm and confident. Remember at a new firm you never know who pulls the strings, so be nice from the moment you arrive (this sounds simple, but you would be amazed how many times people think a receptionist has no sway, only to find they are the Senior Partners wife!). Always be on time, check the time before hand if you aren’t sure, a short call to the firm before hand could prevent any awkward moments. If you are running late, give the firm a call, they will thank you for being honest and can continue what they are doing until you arrive, meaning no time is wasted. Finally, be honest. Once you are in the interview be yourself, and be honest. If you sell yourself alongside being honest about experience a firm will know what they are getting if they take you on. There is nothing worse than arriving on your first day and being given a task you cannot achieve because you lied in your interview.

So go and set the process in motion. Put yourself out there! 1 month down, 11 to go, where will you choose to be?