The COVID-19 pandemic impacted our lives in numerous ways, but as Shawn Meaike discussed in a recent blog, it had a particularly profound impact on employment. In fact, it led to a ‘greater increase than unemployment seen during the Great Recession.’ As a result, if you are looking for work in 2022 – as the result of being laid off or craving change – you aren’t alone. However, this doesn’t make it any easier to kickstart your career. In fact, it may be even more challenging as the job market is more competitive than ever.
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With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to get ahead of the game and secure the career you have always dreamed of.
- Do your research. If you are considering switching industries altogether, the easiest way to improve your career prospects is to do plenty of research before you start sending off your CV. This way, you’ll know what is expected of you ahead of time and can tailor your resume to demonstrate your skills and abilities. This also gives you the chance to undergo any necessary training to increase your suitability for the role.
- Consider retraining. Sometimes, you may need to retrain or undertake specific qualifications to take on a new role. While this can be time-consuming, it’s a great way to get your career on the right path – and having these additional skills under your belt will only make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers. Furthermore, the more qualified you are, the better as it means you’ll be able to negotiate for a higher starting salary.
- Brush up on your interview skills. While having a strong resume is key to getting your foot in the door, you cannot underestimate the importance of performing well in your interview. This is because it is the first time you will interact with an interviewer face-to-face, and first impressions go a long way in hiring. As a result, you should ensure that you brush up on interview etiquette ahead of time. For example, you should ensure that you are polite, punctual, and enthusiastic.
- Research the company and the role. While you may have spent hours learning more about the specific role you are applying for, you should also ensure you take some time to learn about the company. This will help you prepare better responses to interview questions, as you’ll be able to refer directly back to the company’s previous projects and work. It also shows the interviewer that you have done your research and aren’t just applying to the role out of desperation. Furthemore, this will also help you to put together some of your own questions to ask the interviewer, as you must also use this as a time to assess whether or not the company is right for you. For example, you can ask them about company culture to determine if you are the right fit for the team (i.e., is the workplace competitive, or do they value collaboration?).
What are your top tips for getting back out into the workplace?