If you’re struggling to find the right job and everything seems to be against you, you may start feeling down. Some people blame the system, others blame themselves, and some feel lost in their search to be a part of society. Let’s face it: we get a job to make ends meet and find some pleasure in life along the way. You’ve been a victim of the job market for too long, and it’s time to change that.
So, I have an easy step-by-step guide for you to regain control, have interviews, and land that job. What do you need to achieve this? Internet access, an up-to-date CV, a can-do attitude, and the desire to try. Are you ready? Here we go.
- One-click apply on job boards is your enemy. Stop one-click applying for jobs and start reading what the company is looking for. Here’s what happens: you see a job, hit apply, and boom, you move on to the next one. Meanwhile, in the background (trust me, I’m a recruiter), the CV you have registered is sent to the company. Sounds great, right? But have you considered the following? a. Is your registered CV up to date? b. When was the last time you checked it? c. Have you written something in the open text box that might get you rejected? d. Is the salary/job title on your profile matching the role you’re applying for?
These are all little things that can work against you. When there are 20, 30, or even 100+ applications, internal recruiters, hiring managers, and recruiters may reject you based on these reasons. It doesn’t happen all the time, but there’s a good chance.
- Keep your CV up to date.
- Only apply with one click if you know for sure that your profile is in order, and you have spent at least an hour sorting it out.
- Try to apply directly to the agency/employer advertising the job if possible.
- Is your CV relevant to the jobs you are applying for?
- Is it? Is your CV relevant to the roles you are applying for? If not, stop wasting your time applying for jobs you’re not qualified for. Before hitting apply, do these three things: a. Are you qualified for the role? b. Is the salary within your expectations? c. Have you read the advertisement thoroughly, rather than just looking at the job title and salary? d. Do you live in the country where the role is hiring? In other words, do you need a visa? If so, does it say you can apply without one? e. Do you live near the role? If you are in the country and have “ANYWHERE” as your location, it’s likely grounds for rejection (I’ll come back to location in a bit).
This is why you’re being rejected from 98% of the jobs you apply for. Someone has probably told you, “Oh well, I’ll give it a try.” Don’t waste your time.
- Do you have a clear focus on what you want?
“If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable.”
What do you want? What are you qualified for? Have you thought about it? Sometimes, stopping and reflecting on your career’s current state can give you more focus in your job hunt. Take a piece of paper and write down 2-4 job titles you can handle. Then, write down the qualifications you have for each of those positions. Take some time doing this because it’s worth focusing your job search on areas where you have the right skills. If you’re a recent graduate, obviously, you want entry-level roles. But really narrow it down to what you truly desire.
It would also be great to include job roles you enjoyed in the past on your list. Keep that list in front of you because the next part requires a complete change in approach.
- So, now that you know the job types, do you know the sector you work in? If so, write that down too. For example, “Aerospace” or “Industrial” or any sector you’re familiar with, or even all sectors you can work in.
Also, consider commutable locations. In 2023, if you want to relocate to a new area, companies will take your application more seriously if you are closer to their office. If all the jobs you want are 200 miles away and you’re not getting responses, this might be the reason.
If you’re outside the UK, have no visa, and the role says, “Must have the right to work in the UK,” don’t bother applying. Trust me, thousands of people apply each day and face the same rejection. You need to look at the UK government website or refer to my blog for information on what you need to do – https://www.thomasleerecruitment.co.uk/how-to-get-a-uk-work-visa/
Now you have a search string like “Design engineer, tooling, Birmingham.”
- This next step will set you apart from around 98% of candidates on the market. Take the location and the sector and put it into a Google Maps search. a. What you’ll get is a list of companies in that sector, in that area, and some may even have similar roles. b. Next, start going through their websites. c. Look for three things: email address, phone number, and if possible, a point of contact. d. Also, check their career/job sections as you might come across suitable opportunities.
- Now, create an opening letter to these companies. Here’s a basic example: “To Joe Bloggs Industries,
I am writing to inquire if you are seeking a(n) ‘insert job title’ for your team. I have ‘number of years’ of experience in ‘insert job title’ and have attached my CV for your consideration.
I have previously worked for XYZ company in a role similar to ‘XXXX,’ and I’m looking for something similar or a role that complements ‘XXXX’ like ‘YYYYY.’
I currently reside in ‘insert area’ and am available with one week’s notice. My salary expectations are currently £35k.
If there are no suitable openings at the moment, could you please keep me informed if something comes up?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Something like that—feel free to use that format or modify it according to your preference.
IMPORTANT: Keep a spreadsheet or notepad of all the companies you’ve sent your CV to. Also, wait 48 hours and follow up with a call just to confirm that they received your CV.
Repeat this process with the list of sectors and locations where you want to work. Be specific, as Google Maps will provide longer lists for each area.
- Don’t forget about recruitment agencies. Focus on the ones that match your profile. SME agencies tend to have many local businesses or SME-type clients. Some agencies have big clients, but not all. Generally, the bigger the agency, the bigger the clients they have. Take the time to study their websites and ask the recruiters about the type of companies they work with and if they can assist you with your CV.
Remember, recruiters may know about a company, but they have to overcome the barrier of companies having to pay them to place candidates. They typically have pre-negotiated charges for the roles they have available, so if they don’t have anything at the moment, they may have something in the future or a regular client they are working with.
As a recruiter, I believe it’s worth spending 20-30 minutes talking to a recruiter. Some of us are willing to invest time in helping candidates. Alternatively, you can follow recruiters on LinkedIn and read their blogs. You might glean some valuable insights from that.
- Lastly, create a timetable for your day, giving yourself breaks, and try to find a space in your house away from distractions. Treat your job search like a job itself.
Here’s an example timetable:
- Monday: Morning – find companies; Afternoon – send introduction emails.
- Tuesday: Job boards – search for ideal roles and send direct applications.
- Wednesday: Follow up with companies you emailed on Monday.
- Thursday: Follow up on job applications made on Tuesday.
- Friday: Regroup, review the results of the week, check for interviews, conduct research, catch up on social media platforms like LinkedIn, and plan for the next week.
To recap:
- Keep your CV up to date on job boards.
- Avoid using the one-click apply option and instead upload your latest CV.
- Whenever possible, apply directly to the agency or employer.
- Ensure that your CV is relevant to the role you’re applying for.
- Have a clear focus on the job role you’re targeting.
- Understand the location and sector where you can work.
- Use Google Maps to find companies that match your criteria.
- Write personalized introduction emails to these companies and maintain a record of your applications.
- Engage with recruiters that specialize in your sector.
Remember, this approach is about taking control of your job search. Despite the frustrations and challenges you may encounter, keep your focus on the end goal and push through the barriers of rejections, ghosting, and broken promises. Unfortunately, these are part of the reality out there.
Good luck with your job-hunting journey!