New Year, New Job: Your Essential Job Search Checklist
As the year comes to a close, many of us will reflect on our careers. January is a prime time for new starts and the same is true for recruiting and looking for a new job.
Many employers put off recruitment until the new year when it's less busy, and when more candidates will actively look for job opportunities. Approaching your job search with a clear strategy will increase your chances of landing a new role.
How to start looking for a new job? Here's your essential checklist:
1. Reflect on Your Career Goals
Before you begin looking for a new role, it's important to take stock of where you're at in your career, and where you want to be.
Assess Your Strengths: What are your strengths? Evaluate your knowledge and use of skills like financial analysis, forecasting, auditing, or systems implementation.
Identify Gaps: Are there areas you need to improve or certifications you should pursue? Would a qualification boost your CV or do you need more experience in leadership?
Define Your Dream Job: Whether you're looking for a role in FP&A, audit, tax, or another area, understanding your end goal will help shape your job search process.
2. Update Your CV and LinkedIn Profile
Now you have a thorough understanding of your dream job and how you're next role will help you achieve it, it's time to update your CV and LinkedIn profile.
Your CV and LinkedIn profile are often the first impressions recruiters and hiring managers will have of you so make it count.
Tailor Your CV: Your skills and experience should be tailored to the job you're applying to. Try to highlight achievements that demonstrate your impact, such as reducing costs, streamlining processes, or improving reporting accuracy. Use quantifiable examples where possible. You can also download our free CV Guide which will help you decide what to include and what to leave out, as well as how to structure your CV.
Develop Your LinkedIn Profile: Your profile should be current and reflect your most recent experience. Include a professional photo and utilise the skills and recommendations sections to highlight your expertise. A detailed profile will also help you develop a professional network online.
3. Set Up Job Alerts
Reach out to a finance and accounting recruiter. Specialist recruiters have access to exclusive roles and will also notify you about new roles before they open for applications. Register with us here, and one of our Consultants will reach out to start discussing your job search.
When speaking to a Recruitment Consultant, they will always contact you directly with any job opportunities they think will be suitable, but you could also consider setting up job alerts on job boards.
Job search sites such as Reed, Indeed and LinkedIn have features that allow you to set up alerts that are delivered to your inbox or notifications. You can filter alerts by location, salary and level to ensure you only receive roles that would be right for you.
4. Research the Market
Understanding hiring trends in the current recruitment market will ensure you're well-prepared for your search and interviews.
Salary Trends: Download our free salary guide here. It will give you a good indication of whether your expectations are aligned with market conditions.
In-Demand Skills: Skills like data analytics, ERP system expertise, and knowledge of ESG reporting are highly valued in the current market. Highlighting your competency in these areas will give you a competitive edge.
Company Insights: When submitting applications, researching each company will help you understand whether your goals and values align with their mission but will also give you insight into what UK businesses are prioritising.
5. Networking is Key
Networking is key for building relationships. It's not just about collecting business cards:
Reconnect: Reach out to former colleagues or managers for advice and referrals.
Attend Industry Events: Joining finance and accounting roundtables, webinars and discussions will expand your network.
LinkedIn: Once you've developed a detailed LinkedIn profile, share relevant articles, comment on posts and join industry groups to establish your online presence and expertise.
6. Prepare for Interviews
93% of people feel nervous before a job interview. Preparing beforehand, as well as practice, will help reduce anxiety.
Practice Scenario and Competency Questions: In every interview, you'll be asked to discuss your experience and ability. Practice how you would answer questions that focus on your strengths, weaknesses and achievements using quantifiable results wherever possible.
Refine Your Elevator Pitch: Your elevator pitch should briefly summarize your professional background and goals in a compelling way.
Stay Informed: Stay in the loop with industry news, regulations, and trends to demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to learning in interviews.
7. Stay Motivated
Job hunting can be challenging, but persistence pays off. The more consistent you are, the more likely you'll find a great new role.
Celebrate Small Wins: Securing that first interview or making a new connection is valuable progress. Each step of your job search will better equip you for future interviews and applications.
Keep Learning: Use your spare time to enhance your skills, whether through online courses or professional certifications to set your profile apart from others.
Lean on Support: Share your goals with friends, family, or mentors who can offer encouragement and advice.
A successful job search starts with preparation and a clear strategy. By reflecting on your goals, updating your CV, and preparing yourself for interviews, you’ll set yourself apart from other finance and accounting professionals.
January is just around the corner—make it your best career move yet!
Venture Recruitment Partners uses a tailored and personable approach to help you find your next exciting accounting and finance opportunity.
Speak to one of our team today by registering your details here.