JOB SEARCHING – ASK YOURSELF…

If you are a jobseeker, whether out of work and immediately available or just thinking that it’s time for a change, there is one trap that a lot of people can fall into. Applying for jobs that are NOT suitable for you! Perhaps it’s late on a Friday night and, after a few drinks with your friends, you decide that now is a good time to start searching for your next role.

But there’s a couple of problems… Either you are full of self confidence and feel that you can do anything or, you are full of self doubt and can’t do anything! Or, perhaps you know you can do the job but it’s in the Outer Hebrides and you live in Southampton with your wife and children… but you still click that apply button anyway. We’ve all been there!

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

So, before you start your job search ask yourself these questions, to determine all aspects of your search and make sure that you don’t waste any of your valuable time:

• What do I want to do? And also What CAN I do?
  • This may identify some aspects of training or personal development that you can work on yourself, or perhaps ask your current employer for some support.
• ‘Where do I want to be 5 years time?’ and ‘What sort of company do I want to work for?’
  • These two questions can go hand in hand, as the right company now is likely to be the right company for the next 5 years as well. This can help you hone your search to relevant companies e.g. Larger or smaller, depending on your current position and where you want to be.
• ‘How far would I be able to commute?’ and ‘How far do I WANT to commute?’ and consider ‘What are my personal commitments?’
  • Do your personal circumstances mean that you can realistically commute, even for an hybrid role? 
• ‘What do I enjoy about my current job, or the ones I have had in the past?’ or ‘What do I dislike about my current job, or the ones I have had in the past?’
  • No brainer questions really, but they will help you determine if you’re looking for the same job in a different company, a promotion, less responsibility, more money or if it’s time for a career change.

Once you have answers to these questions, you will be far better placed to know what is that you’re looking for. Check out our post on job searching tips that can improve your chances of finding that role perhaps even where nobody else is looking!