If you find yourself wondering how to navigate the employment market, the team here at Miller Leith have put together some of our favourite tips. Whether you’re starting out with an entry-level role, or it’s time for a career transition, our recruitment experts are here to help.
1. Give yourself a boost
Our first tip in finding a job is to take steps to set yourself ahead of the rest. While it can be competitive out there, maintaining your professional skills will help you to stay ahead of the competition. Take time to educate yourself on the area you’re seeking employment in, and where possible, consider upskilling or undertaking online courses in the specialty. This will not only help you to get the job, but will give you good skills to put to use down the line.
2. Stay active
Many eager job-hunters set aside time to scroll through online job listings on various platforms and online jobs portals. Doing this frequently is a great way to keep an eye on any new opportunities popping up, but there’s even more that you can do.
Social networks are a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest news in your field, whether it’s industry updates or job listings. Follow creators on LinkedIn who share content that’s relevant to your field. This will not only stand out to any potential employers, but also helps to ensure that you’re in the loop on the latest industry news trends.
We also recommend signing up for Miller Leith job alerts, where you can tailor your job search and receive the latest opportunities in your inbox daily or weekly, making your job hunt more efficient and effective.
3. Be prepared
Taking the time to prepare for interviews is a sure-fire way to smooth out the experience. Research and practise your answers to some common interview questions, and also prepare to discuss your own expectations for the role. This includes everything from salary to how you feel about in-office or work from home working styles.
When it comes to salary expectations, the best way to estimate what a reasonable salary would be is to research similar roles, how your experience aligns with the needs of the position, and any extra skills that you may bring. The Miller Leith salary guide is another great tool to help you to gain an understanding of the current market.
4. Be Flexible
Since the pandemic, hybrid or fully remote work models have become incredibly popular among many companies and employees. With this being said, a number of companies have chosen to return to working onsite full-time.
Whatever your preference is, it’s important to remember the decision to work onsite, hybrid, or remote is ultimately made based on the needs of the company. With this in mind, it’s important to remain open and flexible to the needs of the role.
5. Make the first move
Responding to job listings with a standout resume and cover letter isn’t the only way to make yourself seen. If there’s an organisation that you’re particularly keen to work in, don’t be afraid to make the first move and reach out to them with a copy of your resume and cover letter, sharing what it is that makes them appeal to you, and what you could bring to the team. Even if they’re not hiring at that moment, they may decide to keep your details on file in case a suitable role pops up in future.
6. Follow up
Just like with reaching out to potential employers in the first place, emailing to follow up on an application or interview can be really helpful, particularly for roles with a high volume of applicants. Not only will this help to keep you on the employers radar, but it can be a good way to show your initiative and interest in the position.
7. Consider contracting
Another thing that’s changed in the employment landscape over the last few years is a surge in contractor opportunities. Short-term roles and contract roles are more common now than before, and present some exciting opportunities for candidates. Not only can contract roles expand your career horizons by giving you exposure to more companies and industries, many contractors also command higher pay rates and have greater flexibility than permanent staff. If you’re looking to make the transition from permanent roles to contracting, the team at Miller Leith are here to help.
8. Contact a recruitment specialist
Lots of job hunters don’t quite know how to use a recruiter to find a job, but that’s okay! Our experts can help to guide you through the process, pairing you with potential employment opportunities where we think you might just be the perfect fit. Our recruitment specialists will assist you throughout your job-hunting experience, and can help to make this the most positive experience possible for you. You’re welcome to register as a candidate with Miller Leith, or contact us today to begin working alongside our talented recruiters.
