Right now, considering the current circumstances, the job market is more competitive than ever. Budgets are narrow, teams are lean, and businesses are laser-focused on only adding new talent to their job force that brings extreme value in multiple facets. If there is one thing for sure, when it comes to landing a new job, time is of the essence.
This isn’t something that should deter you from making a shift in your career; instead, it’s something you simply need to be aware of. To maximize your time and head down a path that will lead you to success, we recommend creating a plan and timetable that is written down somewhere you can see it. Checking in and holding yourself accountable is essential, especially when you’re up against some of the top talent in the city and even the country.
So when it comes to laying out your time in the career search process, what does this look like? Here are six areas to be focusing on that will help you manage your time more efficiently and ultimately give you a more strategized approach to the job search process.
Writing Your Resume
This is an area (including your Linkedin) that we find a lot of candidates waste valuable time on. Instead of looking at how you will bring value to the position, individuals will procrastinate and spend all their days creating headlines, writing job summaries, and designing their resume. While having a comprehensive and impressive resume is essential, other stages could use some extra attention to get you into the room and on to the next step in the hiring process. Don’t rush this, but don’t spend too much time here – including the basics, spiff up the design and call it a day. If you’re qualified for the position, your skills and abilities will speak for themselves.
Understanding Your Character Values
Knowing yourself well enough to be confident in how your strengths and weaknesses can ultimately determine whether or not a hiring manager decides to choose you over the next candidate. Get to know yourself, be brutally honest, and find out what you bring to the table and what areas you could use some growth in. This will help you know how to confidently present yourself in the interview while giving the manager confidence that you’re the perfect fit for the job.
Understanding How to Qualify The Hiring Manager
What are you looking for in a company and the position? What values do you hope a specific brand has? What type of workplace are you looking for? How does each department work together? How are you hoping to grow in a position? What are you hoping to learn?
Having the answers to these questions will help you determine whether or not the job is right for you. Remember, an interview is a two- way street. They are there to find out more about you, but you’re also there to get a more in-depth understanding of the position, company, and team you will be working with.
Goal Setting
This is your roadmap. Set your goals, figure out a timeline, and put the wheels in motion to achieve them. This can take time and a lot of trial and error. Make sure you’re flexible, allow your goals to mould and adapt as your wants and needs change along the career discovery process. The more time you spend here, making sure you’re goals are clear and achievable, the more likely you are at hitting them and then some.
Networking
They say it’s all in whom you know for a reason. Networking can come in many forms, from volunteering with your community to attending professional development workshops, conferences, and seminars to attending that industry social that you’ve put off for so many months. It might be painful, but getting out and putting yourself out, there can be what sets your application apart from the rest of the pool. If the hiring manager can put a face to the name, there is an excellent chance you’ll get shortlisted for an interview. Just think about it this way, even if the event isn’t great, you never know who you might have met that will help you land your dream position a month, six months, or even six years down the road.
Professional Development
Whether you’re entirely changing careers or only looking to move up in your current one, enhancing your skillset is always a good idea. Figure out the traits and strengths that are most desirable for the career you want to have and make an effort to work towards gaining those skills. Everyone brings something different to the team, and the more value you can offer a business, the more likely you’ll find yourself getting an offer letter. This can be as simple as brushing up on concepts, new-technology, and platforms you haven’t used in a while. This will so show the hiring manager that you are a self-starter, driven, and take the initiative.
Are you in the midst of navigating the job market and shifting your career?
Backed by over 20 years of experience, BullsEye Recruitment has built strong relationships with Calgary’s most sought-after employers. If you’re feeling dissatisfied in your current role but are committed to your career path as an accountant or finance professional, talk to us about how we can help you take control of your career and progress in a direction that suits you.