04 Nov Why it’s important to put structure into your job search: Managing an active search. Part 1
We obviously converse to a lot of talent that is at various stages of their career and from passive talent to active job seekers its important to set yourself career goals and keep track of your progress. This could be anything from identifying where you want to be in five years and what professional development you need over that time period to achieve those aspirations, to keeping track of your active applications.
In this Blog entry I want to focus our efforts on how you should manage an active search for new employment. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Chief Sustainability Officer or a Graduate Town Planner, I’ve identified a number of key themes that we think its imperative you adhere to in your active search for a new job.
Understand What You Want
So you might be disgruntled in your current job, you might be looking for some career progression or a change of culture – there are many reasons why talent decides to enter the market for a new role and you need to understand what it is that is motivating you to move on from your current employer and what you want to do next.
If it’s the commute to work that is getting you down, you need to do some thinking around what you would like from your next role. What tube stations would work well for you? How far and for how long would you be prepared to travel? This might be the motivation for moving on but frankly if you are moving jobs, isn’t this a great time to think about how you might be able to further your career? If it is then you need to think about what that might look like.
I’d always advise candidates to think ahead. Where do you want to be in five years and what are the necessary steps you need to take along the way to get there? If you are looking for a change of careers – you might need to take a step back in terms of responsibility and remuneration to facilitate that. Is that a sacrifice you are prepared to take?
Think how it comes across when you get an interview and you can’t really give an answer about why you are moving jobs? How a potential employer might react to someone who doesn’t know where he or she wants to be in five years? Whether you are approaching a recruiter for the first time or speaking to an employer direct –the same applies – demonstrating that you have a clear understanding of your career aspirations and motivations will enhance first impressions.
Here are some things you might want to consider in advance:
Motivation: What’s driving your job search.
Location: Where do you want to work?
Relocation: Have you spoken to your family?
Salary expectations: What are you looking for?
What type of company would you like to work for?
Are there companies you wouldn’t want to work for?
Aspirations: What do you want to do?
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