Written by Dakota Murphey
One of the most common areas people seek to change within their New Year’s resolutions is their career, and the number of job applications is expected to soar during the first few months of the 2020.
Now that the ‘New Year New Me’ hype has officially died down, it’s no reason to give up on your new job hunt. In this article, we will walk you through the dos and don’ts of getting a new job in 2020, marketing yourself effectively for an updated career.
Do: Update your CV
We’re guessing it’s probably been quite a while since you last applied for a job so, before you get going with any applications, you’re going to need to update your CV. Consider all the skills you have learnt since you got the job you currently work in and think about whether they’ll positively contribute towards your applications.
It’s not just your paper CV you need to think about; there’s your LinkedIn profile to sort out as well. By matching the two of these up and ensuring all the information is accurate, you will be much more likely to land a new job. While you can’t necessarily tailor your LinkedIn profile to every single job you apply to, you can with your paper CV so make sure this is relevant to the jobs you’re applying for.
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Don’t: Be boring
Impression counts when it comes to finding a job. Statistics show that employers only spend an average of six seconds looking at each CV they receive, after all, so it’s imperative to stand out.
If you want to land your dream job, sometimes you need to put a little bit of extra effort in. Try to think outside the box and come up with ways that’ll make a potential employer want to engage with your application.
Say, for example, you’re hoping to work as a graphic designer - show off your design skills by creating and printing a bespoke flyer CV which instantly demonstrates what you can do. The more you can stand out, the better you’ll come across, and the more likely you’ll be of landing an interview.
Do: Think about what you want
As we move into the new decade, the millennial generation are expected to gradually take over the workplace. Often unfairly referred to as ‘snowflakes’, this generation tend to buck the trend and look set to alter the workplace as we know it.
Many millennials are said to be frustrated by the traditional 9am – 5pm five-day working week, preferring instead to work for employers who offer flexible working; the chance to work from home more often, or work reduced hours during the week.
Research from the UK online job board, CV Library shows that a number of employers are already starting to implement these tropes at their workplace and therefore are recognising the importance of attracting fresh talent. Therefore, the ball is in your court; if you would like to work somewhere which offers more flexibility, think about this when submitting your applications. There’s no point working somewhere you’re going to hate more than your current job, so you shouldn’t rush it.
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Don’t: Mess up the interview
Being prepared for a job interview is absolutely imperative. You need to think about the types of questions that an employer might ask you, and come up with suitable answers accordingly. Typically, interviewers will ask questions related to a selection of topics, including technical ability, strengths, weaknesses, working with others, self-motivation and customer service.
Remember - stay positive and be confident!
In terms of the actual interview itself, you need to think about your behaviour and body language. Being suitably dressed is an important first step, but you’ll need to come across polite, well-mannered and consistently engaged as well. While having a laugh and a joke is all well and good, try not to overdo it. Coming across too ‘matey’ with a potential employer could seem unprofessional and ultimately put them off.
To keep up-to-date with the latest and best tech jobs from across Northern Ireland, make sure to regularly check Sync NI’s Jobs and Careers board, for exciting work opportunities and chances to upskill.
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Dakota Murphey has a wealth of experience in business management and has previously worked as a business growth consultant for over 10 years. She now enjoys sharing her knowledge through her writing and connecting with other like-minded professionals. Find out what else she's been up to on Twitter: @Dakota_Murphey
