When it comes to looking for a new role, there are a number of factors that have to be considered. The market remains very competitive but it is a candidates market. By that I mean that there are few candidates and plenty of jobs (believe me, in our sector do I know about it right now!) so you could consider that the odds are stacked in your favour. However, the recent spate of downsizing, merging etc means that you really have to stand out as a candidate in order to secure and retain your ideal role.

In order to improve your chances of success in this market, you have to raise your game and to market yourself as best you can. My previous post on networking goes some way to helping but there is more.

Tinker – Your CV should be updated regularly to reflect the changing parameters of your role and also your increased experience. Go through it on a every couple of weeks to ensure that it reads well and is an accurate reflection of your skills, abilities and experience.

Tailor – Do you wear the same clothes to work that you wear to the pub on a Saturday night? Do you make the same beans on toast that you would make after a hard day for dinner party guests? Probably not (or if you do, I wouldn’t recommend working for Gordon Ramsay!). You really do have to tailor according to situations and needs. As such, when applying for roles, ensure that your experience relevant to that role stands out. If you are moving say, between HR and recruitment; if you are applying for a recruiting role, emphasise your recruiting experience. If a pure generalist/HR advisor role, emphasise your generalist/advisory experience. There is, of course, a fine line between “tailoring” and “lying your ass off” – ensure that you opt for the former as many organisations will sack you on the spot (for gross misconduct) if you have been found to be lying on your CV (it of course depends upon the severity of the lie but be careful).

Soldier – Don’t be downheartened if you do not get the first few jobs that you apply for. As mentioned earlier, the candidate to job ratio is growing, particularly amongst the graduate population. It’s not always “them not liking you” or you “not being good enough”. Often it’s a case of “fit” into the existing team (it could be that they have a very reserved and conservative team whilst you are dynamic and lively) or someone else have extra skills on top of those that are required. You really do have to soldier on and see every interview as not a waste of time (!) but an opportunity to improve upon your interview technique. You never know, all that time spent at other interviews, could mean that you do a fantastic interview for your dream role/company and get the job.

Sailor – There is, of course, alot more to getting a job than the above. Researching the organisation, networking, experience etc etc, are all key. However, taking all of the above into account when searching for a new role will make sailing into a new and better job that much easier.

Good luck!