Have you lost your job due to redundancy or simply want a change?
In Ireland, the market is candidate heavy at the moment, with a 20.2% unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2020 (CSO Labour Force Survey). However, there are some steps you can take to improve your chances of your job search being a success this year.
What are you looking for?
Now is the perfect opportunity to think about what is really important for you in your next job and what exactly you are looking for.
For example, is it important for you to be able to work from home or be offered flexible working arrangements? Or is career progression more important to you and being offered opportunities to upskill or have more responsibility?
Upskill
Do some research and find out which skills are most in demand in your area. For example, if you work in Software Development, you could learn a new, upcoming language and gain a certification online to add to your CV.
LinkedIn acts as a professional brand and online CV. It should be updated with new skills and contain your previous employment history. You should also become visible on LinkedIn, connecting with relevant professionals and engaging & sharing content.
Also, do not forget to include soft skills! For example, in 2021, adaptability will be one of the most sought-after soft skills due to the transition of working in an office to working from home.
Update CV
Just like LinkedIn, you should update your CV when applying for new jobs. It should include details about the latest projects you have worked on, the technologies you have experience using and the qualifications you have.
You should tailor your CV and cover letter specifically to the job that you are applying for and explain why exactly you want to work for the company in question.
Remote Interviews
Ireland had one of the highest rates of remote working during the height of the Covid-19 crisis, so chances are that if you are looking for a new job now, it is likely that the interview and onboarding process will take place remotely.
Therefore, it is important to prepare for remote interviews, especially if you have never participated in one before.
Set aside time each day
Job hunting is like a full-time job in itself. It takes time to read job descriptions, search for appropriate jobs and update your CV etc. Therefore, it is important to set aside time each day to focus solely on this task. If you don’t have enough time to search for a new job, it might be a good idea to contact a recruitment agency, like Reperio. Recruitment consultancies are there to help you and take away all the hard work. They will source jobs and schedule interviews – it is their job to help you find a new job, for the best salary or daily rate.
At Reperio, we have dedicated recruitment consultants who recruit permanent and contract positions, and specialise in different areas. If you would like help finding your next position in Ireland or the United States, get in touch with a member of our team.
Written by Michelle Corry