It is estimated that around a third of employees are looking for a new role, which in real numbers looks like 9.8 million people in the UK who are actively looking to over on from their current employer, according to a study conducted in March 2023.
However, between March and June 2023, only a tenth of this number of jobs were available in the UK, making the job market pretty competitive, especially in certain niche sectors.
In this blog, we are going to investigate:
Job hunting is not an exact science, and every sector has a different approach to recruitment.
In the UK, statistics show that only 2% of applicants will be taken forward to an interview, and on average hiring managers will only interview 6 candidates for every one vacancy.
This means that standing out is crucial to success.
Along with finding the right opportunities that will help you to stand out and show off your unique skillset, utilising the right job boards and buzzwords will ensure that recruiters and hiring managers consider you for your dream role.
Below we are going to explore the benefits of the top three job-hunting approaches:
Back in the day, help-wanted adverts were displayed on notice boards in libraries, local shops, or printed in the newspapers, so anyone looking for work had to do a lot of literal leg work to find a job.
In the online age, however, finding a new role is usually quite a sedentary challenge and involves a lot of scrolling!
Job sites are the new notice boards and are getting more and more high-tech.
On job hunting sites like Indeed, CV Library, Monster and Reed, you can save a standard CV that is linked to your profile so hiring managers can find you through a simple search.
When applying for roles, you can utilising the ‘favourite’ list and save jobs as you scroll to come back to you later so you can tailor your CV.
This process can be very labour intensive, draining, and lonely though.
Dropping CVs into places that job seekers wanted to work was also a common ploy of times gone by (who hasn’t had the ‘why don’t you drop your CV into X, Y, and Z’ speech from their parents?) but this approach is not likely to succeed in careers such as law, accountancy, or engineering.
This is why expanding your professional connections can be one of the biggest steps to your dream job.
In fact, 70% of jobs are never published and 85% of vacancies are filled through networking.
LinkedIn is a great place to start and gain confidence in ‘cold messaging’, but attending networking sessions locally, job fairs and industry-specific seminars are an even better way to get in front of people who could be making their company's next hiring decision.
This does, however, take a lot of time, patience, and the ability to play the long game.
Using a head-hunter or recruiter to find your next role can take a lot of stress and pressure off the job hunt process.
Recruitment consultants have the ear of hiring managers, contacts across a wide variety of industries, and insider knowledge on the job market, hiring practices, and work on a commission basis, meaning that they are just as invested in your success as you and can provide key job search help.
Following businesses that you would like to work at on their social channels can allow you to be an early applicant when they are looking for the next great hire.
Recruitment consultants know the market better than anyone else and can sometimes have exclusive access to roles that are not advertised publicly.
Along with giving you a foot in the door, they can also advise on CVs, point you in the right direction for what to include on your cover letters, and give your CV a once over before it goes to the hiring manager.
It is also a good idea to make sure your LinkedIn profile matches your CV!
If you don’t get the job, don’t see it as a waste of time or be too disappointed. Requesting feedback from the hiring manager directly or through your recruitment consultant is instrumental in improving your interview technique or pinpointing the areas that you need more experience in.
Check spelling, contact information, and formatting before sending your CV, especially if you’ve recently made an amend or addition.
As discussed above, networking and recruitment consultants can open up a lot more doors than just scrolling through job sites, giving you a lot more exposure to the jobs that you might not know about otherwise.
Looking for a job is hard. It takes a lot of time, energy and can have a negative effect on your mental health if you get rejected, especially if it keeps happening.
If you feel like you’re struggling, take a break. Don’t constantly scroll online and don’t start panicking and applying for everything. Reach out to recruitment consultancies specialising in your desired industry and let them do some of the heavy lifting!
In today's competitive job market, successful job hunting requires a strategic and proactive approach.
Understanding the intricacies of recruitment, such as the low interview selection rates and the significance of standing out, is crucial.
Job seekers must embrace the power of job-hunting sites, utilising platforms like Indeed, CV Library, Monster, and Reed to save tailored CVs and stay updated on potential opportunities.
Networking is another key aspect, with many jobs being filled through personal connections.
Leveraging platforms like LinkedIn, attending industry-specific events, and introducing yourself to recruitment agencies can significantly enhance your chances of finding your dream role.
Need help with job hunting?
Speak with our expert teams and find the right job for you.
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