After a two-year period of dramatic growth, particularly in the tech sector, it is no secret that there has been a significant market shift and many people are being impacted by redundancies and suddenly finding themselves navigating a job search in an uncertain market - perhaps for the first time in years.
There can be a lot to consider when you find yourself in the market for a new role, particularly after an unexpected redundancy. To help break it down and make the process a little less overwhelming, our consultants here at TheDriveGroup have shared some tried and true tips to help you stand out from the crowd and secure a new opportunity that aligns with your goals and career aspirations. 🚀
1 - First off, relax.
If you have been made redundant, do NOT take it personally. There is nothing you could have done differently. Take a deep breath and remember everything will be ok. Remember that one company’s loss is another one's gain. 🙏
Take some time to clarify what type of role you would like, what type of companies you would like to work for, and what kind of team dynamic would suit you best. Honing in on what you actually want in your career will make the job search less stressful and less time consuming. This way you won’t be wasting precious time and energy applying for the wrong opportunities or attending interviews for jobs that really won’t serve you well in the long run.
2 - Perfect your CV
At this point in your career, you probably already have a CV that you are regularly updating between roles. But it is crucial to make sure that it is showcasing your key experience and representing you in the most effective way possible.
Your CV is not just about writing down overviews of your past jobs. Also, make sure to list your key achievements on your CV. If your previous roles involved a certain ‘Tech Stack’ include a breakdown of each. This makes it easy for hiring managers to see what you’ve actually worked on and accomplished and it helps them picture what you are capable of and the value you could bring to their team. ✅
Make sure to also include your last role, even if your time was cut short. Redundancies are very common and do not be scared to reveal this - no one will hold it against you.
3 - Use LinkedIn
Make sure your LinkedIn profile mirrors your CV. Your LinkedIn should be detailed so recruiters and hiring managers can see what you've been doing just from viewing your profile.
Get a post out on LinkedIn that includes who you are, what your skill set is, and what you're looking for next. You can ask people in your network and industry to repost it and share it with their network - maximising reach and exposure to new jobs. This is a great way to get the word out and LinkedIn has become a very common place for people to connect with their next employer.
You should also connect with relevant people on LinkedIn as well as engage with and share relevant content. This helps with networking but also helps the LinkedIn algorithm show your content specifically to people in your industry, which could turn out to be a message in your inbox leading to your dream job. 👀
4 - Partner with a Recruitment Consultant
We recommend that you approach previous companies, managers, colleagues, or your friends but there is a good chance you may not want to return to previous places you have already moved on from, and you can often exhaust your personal network very quickly with no success.
Therefore, your next point of call should always be to find a good Recruitment Consultant to partner with. You may have had success with someone in the past but if you haven't, do some research about who is a specialist in your area and contact them for a chat. Not only can you ask them for advice but they can also introduce you to a number of companies and coach you through the entire interview process.
If you are hoping to make a pivot in your career trajectory, take this opportunity to have informative conversations with people in roles that you are interested in. This acts as both a great way to learn about the career you’re interested in, but also great networking which can help your job search. People are generally happy to give you time for a coffee or a chat and share their knowledge, so don’t be afraid to ask. ☕
If you would like to expand your network, you can also use platforms like Meetup and Eventbrite to find and attend events that are relevant to you and the type of people you would like to meet.
5 - Only apply to relevant jobs
One mistake a lot of people make is to frantically apply to every job advert they see. You should take your time and apply to those that actually interest you and are relevant to your skill set and experience. This will not only show that you are aware of what you can and can’t do, but it will also help you stand out from the crowd.
Your CV and Cover Letter should be specific to jobs that you’re applying for - but it must be honest. Do not sprinkle keywords into your CV for the sake of it. You will be questioned in interviews, and keeping your CV honest will avoid embarrassment and wasting your time attending interviews for jobs that you are not qualified for.
It is also OK to have two different ‘versions’ of your CV that each emphasize different skill sets you have, but again - keep it 100% honest and make sure the two CVs do not contradict each other.
And finally…
Although it’s tempting, do not accept an offer just because you don't have a job at the moment. Make sure it's the right job and the right company for you. You are better off being unemployed for a few months and securing that long-term dream job, rather than rushing into the first thing that comes along which you know isn’t the right match for you.
If you need some guidance whilst navigating this transitionary period in your career, you can reach out to us here at TheDriveGroup. We are experts at helping Tech, Digital and Marketing talent navigate the next step in their careers.
Email us at hi@thedrivegroup.com.au or give us a call on 02 8076 4661.