Whether you are ready to launch your career or looking for a new role, the job search process can be daunting. From application forms to updating your CV and brushing up on your interview skills, looking for a new job can be time consuming and stressful. To make it easier to find suitable vacancies and ensure you are putting the best version of yourself forward, there are some pre job search steps you can take to help you get prepared.

Step 1 – Review Your Career So Far

Before knowing where you want to go career-wise, you first have to look at where you have come from. Whether this is a position in the same industry, or part time work whilst you completed your studies, all previous jobs will have given you experience, skills and the chance to develop as an individual. Think about what you have contributed to and learned from these previous roles and how this can be transferred and used in the new positions you want to apply for.

Step 2 – Update Your CV

Before applying for any new positions you need to make sure your CV is up to date and reflects your most recent work experience and education. Consider adding bullet points to show your accomplishments in your last job and the difference your input made to the business.  If you haven’t updated your CV for a few years, or you are seeking a new position in a different industry then your CV is probably out of date or tailored for the wrong profession, so now is the time to start again from scratch. Make sure your new or updated CV reflects your current relevant skills, achievements and career goals.

Step 3 – Update Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn has long been a platform to aid recruiters in their search for new personnel, so before you start your job search and recruiters start to look for you, make sure your profile is up to date. Your LinkedIn profile is the perfect place to create your own personal branding, it’s an opportunity to shout about your experience and achievements and showcase the endorsements you have had from other professionals. 

If you are seeking a position in a new industry, or want to demonstrate your interest, use LinkedIn to follow relevant influencers in that industry, this will put interesting and relevant content into your news feed that you can then share to others and to help give context to your own profile.

Step 4 – Plan Ahead for References

For many people, seeking references for a job application is something of an afterthought, but if you leave it until the last minute you risk asking the wrong people. References give new and prospective employers the opportunity to ask previous employers and colleagues about your skills and personality, they are also useful to verify items on your CV. As employers will be seeking an unbiased view of your performance and personality, it’s best to ensure that references are people you have connected with on a professional level rather than family and friends. If you are new to the world of work and don’t have previous employers, consider asking form tutors, teachers or professors to be your references.

Step 5 – Consider The Company You’d Like to Work For

It’s a common interview question to be asked about the type of work environment you prefer, so before you get to this stage, think about the kind of company you would like to work for. By getting an understanding of the ethos, culture and values that you would like to be part of, you can discount certain job opportunities and know the ones you want to pursue.

How We Can Help in Your Job Search

At On-Site Group we are ready to help you find the perfect permanent or contract roles within the construction, datacoms, mechanical and electrical industries. So, once you have taken the above 5 pre-job search steps, we’re here to help you move on to the next step – starting your job search. Our recruitment consultants are experts in their specialist sectors and are ready to help you find the perfect position. 

Click here to view our latest roles or to send us your CV and let us do some of the hard work for you.