Job Hunting with a Growth Mindset: Prepare for Career Progression
Job hunting isn’t just about finding a role. It’s about the career path that’s on offer too. With this in mind, having a growth mindset is important at every stage…
Between your current full-time job, a busy social life, family commitments and all the other things life can throw at you, it’s not surprising many of us struggle to find the time for job hunting when the time comes. The updating of a CV alone can sometimes take weeks to get right.
As recruiters, we value quality applications, so it pays to spend the necessary time towards a role you really like the sound of. What we’re saying is, don’t hurry to send your CV and applications just for the sake of getting them out. While you might want to save time, you certainly don’t want to rush it. These tips are about being creative with your available time, not rushing into the wrong role that won’t take you where you want to go.
1. Stop procrastinating
First thing’s first, optimise ALL your time. Most of us commute between 1-2 hours a day: This is optimum job prep time! And since studies suggest we’re also most productive in the first few waking hours, there’s no better time to conduct your job searching than on the way in to work in the morning. If you’re in a position to take the full hour of your lunch break as well, find a quiet spot and dedicate the hour to your job search.
2. Update your CV with career goals in mind
Take stock of your skills, where your key strengths lie and the direction you’d like your career to take. When thinking about your career goals, consider the current state of the market. Which industries are doing well? Once your CV and social media profiles are accurate, you’re ready to embark on the job hunt.
3. Get networking
If you’re not doing so already, get out there and start meeting people. Grow your network with relevant industry contacts and attend events of interest. The wider your network, the more likely it will be that the jobs come to you.
4. Only apply for great jobs!
Fortunately for us, the internet has revolutionised the job searching process in that we no longer need to spend hours door knocking with piles of CVs. When online, save yourself time by only applying for roles you have a real interest in.
A good recruitment agency can also do much of the hard work for you! Be clear about your goals when you register with a recruiter, and they’ll only contact you when suitable opportunities arise.
5. Allocate a window of time
Once you’ve completed your search and have saved a number of key opportunities that appeal, reserve a window of time to submit your applications properly. Complete these in order of priority, just in case you’re interrupted and need to abandon them! Ensure you monitor those you’ve applied for to keep track of your progress, and it will also enable you to easily reference the job if there is a follow-up phone call!
Looking for a new role when your current job already takes up most of your waking time is always going to be challenging. You want the move to be worth it, so set aside quality time to apply for great roles when you’re feeling productive and motivated. If, for whatever reason, you’re not securing the roles you want, it might be worth thinking about training.
Get in touch with us today to find out more or register.
