Make a New Year revolution with career-changing tips for 2022
OUT with the old, in with the new . . . job.
The first two weeks of January are the busiest for moving roles, with employers braced for an 80 per cent surge in applications.
Research has revealed 21 per cent of employees plan to look for a new position at the start of 2022 and there are a record 1.2million vacancies out there.
If your New Year’s resolution is to change careers, seek a promotion or simply get back into work, Sunemployment is here to help.
Below are our top tips to get you started.
- Reassess your skillset: Employers are increasingly looking at the whole person, not simply what your last job was. List everything you have done in and out of work, including volunteering, raising a family or caring for a relative. Reflect on what this has taught you — resilience, say, budgeting, time management or building a team. You will have many more skills than you realise.
- Spot the vacancies: Look at your new skillset and consider what you could do over and above your current role. Also hunt down the “hidden vacancies”. Reach out to your friends and family, former colleagues and your LinkedIn network to let them know you are looking for work.
- Keep your CV up to date: Use any spare time over the holidays to refresh your CV and make sure it is tailored to the job you want. Employers will decide whether to ask you for an interview based solely on your CV, so it is important it does you justice.
- Turn negatives into positives: No job always runs smoothly, so interviewers want to know how you will handle work when things go wrong. Show you have learned where a task or project hasn’t gone to plan. Don’t dwell on it, though. Quickly move on to your strengths.
- Do your research: Employers often ask: “What do you know about us?” Research each firm where you have an interview to get insights into the role and company ethos. It proves you are interested in the firm and the work it does.
Most read in Money
Time to refresh your CV
MOST people looking for jobs will update their CV this week.
Matt Weston, UK boss of recruiter Robert Half, shares his tips for CV success.
- Be authentic. People often overly polish their CVs but in the wake of the pandemic, employers are looking for candidates who are authentic. Try reading everything you have written back to yourself. If it doesn’t sound like you, it needs a re-write.
- Demonstrate your best traits. Instead of labelling yourself a problem-solver, think about how you can show off those qualities. By adding an achievements section to your CV, you can showcase your skills and demonstrate a history of delivering excellence.
- Avoid jargon. Employers look for reasons not to interview candidates, so keep your CV simple and easy to read. If you include too many abbreviations or jargon, you run the risk of missing out.
- Keep it short. For junior roles, a CV should be no longer than two sides of A4. Bullet points are a great way to do this – and remember to hold some things back for the interview.
- Be kind and rewind. Start with your most recent and most relevant experience, then work backwards.
Jobspot
LIVE-IN care provider PROMEDICA 24 is looking for 2,000 new workers.
Apply at promedica24.co.uk/become-a-live-in-carer.
Skills switch-up
UPGRADE your digital skills for 2022 with a Google Careers Certificate.
The qualification is available free to Universal Credit claimants in an initiative between Google and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Since May, more than 3,500 jobseekers have earned the certificate and begun careers in areas including IT support, data analysis and user experience design.
The DWP is also joining with Talk Talk to provide eligible jobseekers with six months’ free fibre broadband, with no need for a contract.
You can find out more at c4b-integration.com/dwp.
Jobspot
ARGOS and SAINSBURY’S are recruiting delivery drivers for 129 locations nationwide.
Search at sainsburys.jobs.
Join the BAE team
DEFENCE giant BAE Systems is taking on 1,690 apprentices and graduates in 2022, with the majority in northern England.
Successful candidates will work on projects including the Tempest future combat air system for the RAF, as well as Dreadnought submarines and Type 26 frigates for the Navy.
Chief exec Charles Woodburn said: “Early careers employees are the foundation of our future.
“Their diversity of skills and experience let us continue to innovate and deliver the very best technology and support to our Armed Forces.”
Fore details and to apply, see baesystems.com/earlycareers.