-James Caan
The job market is tougher and more competitive than it has been for many years. However, many of the key issues facing people looking to change employment or to land that dream job remain the same.
Here are three major issues and how to tackle them:
Finding the right role
If you really want to land that perfect job or dream role then you have to understand exactly what it is you are looking for in the first place.
There is no point in taking the scatter-gun approach and applying for every job that happens to come your way. It is far better to have a more considered and thought out strategy.
Sit down and ask yourself exactly what you are looking for and the type of work you want to be involved in. After you have been through that process take a look at your qualifications and skills and see if the two correspond with one another.
Once you have gone through that process then make a decision on the kind of work you want to do and keep an eye on your chosen sector. There is nothing wrong with being selective.
Making sure you are ahead of the competition
Take a long hard look at your career path and then ask yourself some honest and tough questions. Look at if you are where you want to be and if there’s anything you can do better or differently.
I would suggest that if you are truly ambitious then you should be looking for steady progression in your career. You should be moving up every 2-3 years, either in the form of a promotion or a change of company. If you have been in the same job for more than three years then you need to ask yourself why you have been standing still.
You also need to ensure you are updating your skills, experience and qualifications. We are operating in an increasingly competitive and fast-moving world and you need to make sure that you are not falling behind the competition.
Get yourself noticed
Any top job is going to be tough to land. Remember, the best things in life never come easily to anyone.
The first part of getting noticed is to become renowned in your chosen line of work. Make sure you are the best at what you do and show your dedication. Word of mouth is a powerful tool in any industry and you want to be known as someone who is talented and hard working. . However once you have established yourself, don’t just sit there and wait for people to come knocking on your door. You have to get out there and let it be known that you are in the market and available for the right opening or opportunity. No matter what level you are at, networking is one of the best ways to enhance your career prospects.
It is all about being confident without being too pushy. If you are good at what you do, have the right profile and are not afraid to get your name out into the market place then you will stand a better chance of landing that all-important job when it does come along.
