It’s that time of year again! When everyone comes back from their Christmas break, struggling to find the motivation for the year ahead. January is also a time for people to reconsider their options, and think if they really want the job they’re currently in.

Maybe there’s no forecast of a promotion, you feel undervalued or you’re just bored of the same old thing, day in day out and fancy a change. Moving jobs can be daunting, but you’re not the only person in this position.

Surveys suggest that there are many people out there that are dissatisfied in their current position, but in the modern world we now live in, employers are finding it even harder to keep hold of their employees.

If you are looking to potentially explore your options, then take a look at some hints and tips below you may need to consider before getting started…

1. Don’t let the current political situation scare you off

As we are all aware, Brexit is due to take place in March this year. It has already been causing concerns for many people and businesses across many sectors, but the fact of the matter is, we don’t know what impact it will really have on the UK or on us an individuals, so you must seize every opportunity that comes your way because you can’t pause your career over something you can’t control.

Our Managing Director, Stephen Edwards, says “whilst the current political and economical climate is uncertain, it is clear that there are companies out there wanting to hire and especially when we face a skills shortage in areas such as construction. Where there is a skills gap, people can take advantage of this to further their career, or even move into a different industry entirely”.

After speaking with some of our industry leading clients, we discovered that many of them haven’t changed their recruitment plan because of Brexit and that they are still wanting to hire talented individuals.

2. The Skills Shortage – Use it to your advantage!

Now is a great time to make your way into a skilled job, that you may have never even considered before. Although the skills shortage may be causing some concern, it is a great chance for jobseekers to start their new career or to further their current career.

According to the government website, some of the areas that are facing a skills shortage include; power & energy, building services, health professionals, IT and environmental.

This creates immense opportunity for the people within these industries or for people that want to get into these industries. Many companies within these industries are currently hiring and are also offering apprenticeships to help you get on the career ladder, so now’s your chance!

3. Make sure your CV is up to date

Once you have found a job suited to you, before you do anything, you must ensure your CV is up to date. This also includes any websites you use to build your professional profile, such as LinkedIn.

Updating your CV is a crucial part of the job process because if your CV is out of date or contains spelling and grammatical errors, you risk the chance of having your CV thrown out at first glance by employers, even if you’re perfect for the role. So, make sure you don’t take the risk and revise your CV and LinkedIn. We also advise you have someone else to proofread afterwards as two pairs of eyes are better than one!

Another thing to consider are the keywords and skills you write on your CV or LinkedIn as this is what employers and even recruiters look for when matching someone to a role. It’s important that if you have a niche skill set, make it known to whoever is viewing your profile to make you stand out from the crowd.

It is also worth noting that when you do begin to apply for jobs or get approached by a recruiter, it’s sensible to check through your personal social media accounts as many employers now use social media as a routine check on potential employees to find out more information, so make sure your posts and pictures are appropriate and not too wild!

4. Don’t just apply for anything

Don’t panic! There are plenty of jobs out there, but it’s important to choose the right one for you.

It’s a waste of your own time and the employers time applying for jobs you know aren’t really what you want or aren’t right for you. It’s a much better use of your time if you spend time thinking about what it is you actually want from a job, and then using that information to find the right one. You don’t want to end up in a job where in 6 months’ time you find yourself in this same position, looking for another job because it wasn’t right for you.

Our rule at Spirit Executive is if it doesn’t meet 80% of what you want from a job, then it’s not worth making the move.

By spending the time at the beginning of the process thinking about what you want, it will save you time later on in the process and is more likely to land you with the job you want.

5. Let your current employer know

Once you have started applying and you have received interview offers, be honest with your current employer. Inform them of the situation. This way they will respect you and your decision, and it can also ensure when you leave things aren’t left on a bad note, which keeps the door open for you in the future.

By telling your employer you won’t have to call in sick and worry about lying to them about where you really are. This way you can put all your effort and concentration into the interview.

If you’re still struggling to get the time off work, let your potential employer know as many employers will understand and will make the time for talented individuals, so out of hours interviews may be an option.

The other advantage of informing your current employer is if you decide that actually you don’t want to move, your current employer may offer you a better package to stay, so you always have options. But always keep in mind the reasons that made you want to explore your options in the first place, as money doesn’t solve everything.

6. Do your research

As obvious as it sounds, come prepared to your interview. Do your research on the company, its people and have some questions at the ready.

Not only will this demonstrate your interest and impress the interviewers, it will allow you to find out if the role is right for you and take the next step.

If you need help with your next move, please get in touch with us on 01905 28590 or email admin@spiritexecutive.com to see if we can help.

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