Jobhunting: Adapt and Overcome

All too often, people approach the jobs market armed with assumptions or misconceptions of how the process works, which can easily lead to frustration and disappointment. It is therefore important to carefully consider your approach in order to adapt to conditions, overcome challenges, and combat the recruitment blues.

You need to go into the recruitment marketplace with a realistic picture of the landscape and the environment. There are lots of people competing for jobs, and everyone is trying to steal a march on the next. You need to take stock of your situation, apply your energies to opportunities you know you have a real chance to secure, and understand your USPs.

You have to make yourself stand out and consider the best ways to approach employers. Taking a positive and active approach, not losing focus, will genuinely help you – energy and responsiveness are key tools for success in a constantly changing marketplace.

If the last job you applied for was a few years ago, you will need to update your knowledge of the jobs market. This doesn’t just mean reading job specs, but understanding how employers seek out talent and how new tools are becoming effective talent profilers. The rise of social media has led to social recruitment, with people actively networking, advertising and referring talent via these networks. By investing time and effort into these activities, you are arming yourself for a more positive experience.

There is no point just adding your CV to multiple databases or setting up a social media profile expecting the world to come to you. Actively search for jobs, set up vacancy notifications and pro-actively approach companies or their employees via social media. Don’t use platforms like Linkedin to ‘collect’ contacts, make a connection with them, develop a relationship and share information. All of this will create momentum and help maintain your mojo.

There are a wide range of assumptions and a number of different images conjured up when people talk about recruiters. You need to remember that recruiters will often have multiple candidates at any one time - do not get upset if they don't contact you all the time, but keep the momentum going by agreeing catch up times, sharing information and building a relationship that means you get pushed up the rankings when it comes to being approached about an opportunity.

The more you engage, share and keep them informed, the more responsive and supportive they will be when it really matters. Besides, the more they get to know you, the better armed they are to persuade employers and ensure a closer fit with your expectations. Again, it is about taking an active approach to how you work this relationship to the best of both parties.

If you are interested in a certain company or you get an interview for a job, always research that company. Most key information is available via a website, social media or through general online searches. Interviewers do not expect you to know everything, but a little research will show that you are genuine and have taken time to actively consider the potential employer.

Interviews usually end with “do you have any questions?” Take time in advance to prepare questions about the role, the company, the culture, anything and everything you want to know in order to make a decision about the company if the process progresses to offer. Don't be afraid to ask the hard questions - most employers will respect this and it will make you stand out for the right reasons.

Never be scared to how the interview went, if there were any doubts in your performance, gaps in your knowledge etc. Through dealing with potential negatives like this, you could win extra time to persuade an interviewer that not only are you someone that is keen and well prepared, but who is articulate and influential.

About The Author

Giles O'Halloran is an experienced HR and Recruitment professional who works as a freelance consultant, strategist, writer and coach. He also spent 12 years as a reservist with the UK's Reserve Forces, serving first with the TA and later with the RAuxAF. Giles is passionate about technology, the value of networks and the future of work.

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