Job hunting – a few tips

This week I thought I’d touch on some practical suggestions for those folk who are either currently looking for a job or thinking about starting to look. I’ll begin with a truism which is even more valid in the current market – that it is much better to look for a job while you are still in one. I regularly receive calls from people who, in either a rush of blood or fit of pique left their former roles to ‘allow themselves time to focus on searching for a new job’ only to find themselves still out of work many months later. There is a perception by hiring managers and HR that in this market, rightly or wrongly, good people do not leave firms of their own volition which sows a seed of doubt in their mind as to the ‘real’ circumstances behind their departure.

Secondly, the search for a new role must be conducted like a military operation, with detailed research and preparation, lateral thinking and discipline in execution. When the market was in its ‘normal state’, some five years or so ago, a brief call to a single credible recruiter was all that was required to start the process and a raft of job offers – for a broadly competent candidate – would be received in due course. Now, a candidate has to look at firms’ own websites, look at all of the external third party websites and get coded for job alerts such as those sent out by Asset Servicing Times, and also register with a number (probably no more than four or five should be optimal) good quality recruiters who have demonstrated competence, credibility and focus in their chosen sector. Candidates should also ensure that their LinkedIn profile is as accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date as possible as several firms now have teams of internal headhunters who trawl through LinkedIn looking for relevant people.

Thirdly, it is vital to be flexible – don’t get transfixed on looking for the ‘perfect’ role, but look at descriptions of roles which you wouldn’t usually consider as they might well require skillsets which you are able to transfer profitably and successfully from your current role. Finally, be persistent with firms and recruiters alike, but do walk the fine line between stalking and assiduous follow up…..I wish you well.