How to get the job you want

Whether you are wanting to change direction, gain promotion or get your first job, by following my top tips on how to get the job you want, you can get closer to your dream role.

There is nothing better than hearing from one of my clients to say they have landed the job they really wanted! I get so much pleasure from empowering people to make the most of their potential and move into a job which makes them feel happy, satisfied and valued. You can find more about career coaching with me here: Career Coaching in Bristol – Abi Unwin – Certified Career Coach (abigailjanecoaching.com)

In this week’s post, I thought I’d share my top preparation tips around how to get the job you want. And hopefully make the process more enjoyable.

1. Get clear on what your dream job is. You need to be specific here. What is the job title, what are the variations? Find out about the requirements of the role and what the main elements are. You can do this in several ways – obviously you can search online and look at job sites like Indeed: Job Search | Indeed. But other methods could be using your contacts – who do you already know? Can you ask them more about the details – what the job is really like, for example, and whether you need particular experience or qualifications. Linked in is a great way to network and connect with other professionals in the area you wish to move into. By asking questions, you can build your knowledge about the job you want and also relationships with people. Knowledge is power and knowing the right people can be invaluable.
2. Once you know more about the role you want to apply for, it’s time to think about how you fit the requirements of the job. Do you have the right training, qualifications and experience? Look at the person specification on the job advert and go through the essential criteria. Be honest and realistic – if there are things on there which you don’t currently have, is it worth applying at this stage? Or do you need to take other action first.
3. Formulate a plan – what do you need to do next? Apply for further training, gain a qualification, get more experience? Write down what it is you need to do, and think about who can help you get there. A career coach can support you to plan short and longer term actions as well as find solutions to potential issues. National Careers Service have a helpful website which includes info on job roles, qualifications and training. Careers advice – job profiles, information and resources | National Careers Service
4. What is the timescale you’re working towards? Do you need to be in the job within a certain amount of time? Do you need to be earning a certain amount of money to cover outgoings etc? Once you have established a timescale for the end result (the job you want) you can start to plan in smaller, short term actions. What can I do this week/month? By focussing on the smaller steps, you can reduce overwhelm and feel more in control. Applying for jobs can be a challenging process so mindset is really important. Finding ways to remain motivated will be vital to staying positive and achieving the career you want.
5. Be realistic! If the plan doesn’t feel doable, or the timescale doesn’t fit with the other things going on in your life right now, you may need to adjust the actions you will take. Perhaps more help and support is needed, either with finances, time planning or other potential barriers. Thinking about what might stop you, and coming up with possible solutions can help you feel more confident and focussed.

6. Know yourself and be confident about what you bring to the role. What are your key strengths and skills? How can you use these in the job you want? Asking your colleagues and a manager, and perhaps someone who knows you well outside of work can give you a different perspective on this. What do they think your 6 main strengths are? Also make sure you know why it is you want to do this job and that you can clearly articulate this.

7. Update your CV, Linked In profile and any other profiles you may have created on job sites to reflect your strengths, highlight your key skills but make sure this is relevant to the job you want! That’s why being specific about the actual role you’re after is crucial because it allows you to tailor your CV and profile to the job. There are free CV templates and tips for creating a CV here at CV advice | National Careers Service and also on Linked In. There you will find free webinars which show you how to update your profile and create a great CV using Linked In. LinkedIn Career Guidance Hub

8. Prepare your covering letter – again, tailoring it to the specific role and company. Don’t just adapt an old one and take short cuts here. The covering letter is introducing your CV and telling the recruiter why they should take time to look at the CV so it’s really important to make a good first impression. There are some nice tips around creating a good covering letter here at Cover Letter Samples and Templates | Indeed.com.

9. Get ready to shine at your interview! Ideally you want to view this as a two way process where you are finding out more about the job, company and the opportunities this role can bring as much as it’s for the recruiter to check you out. If it’s a good match from both sides, it shows that this is the right job for you and you are right for the employer. But if the interview doesn’t go well, or you don’t feel confident about explaining how you can match the requirements of the job – there is help out there!

10. Career coaches who specialise in interview techniques can be really helpful and also mentors who know more about the role are good sources of support. Learning about the process so that you understand how to succeed at interview will allow you to develop confidence and feel more positive. I love the STAR technique for answering questions as it helps to keep you focussed, even in times when nerves might kick in! You can find out more about how I can empower you through career coaching in a free consultation which is offered to all new clients. Book a FREE Coaching Consultation – Bristol – UK – Worldwide (abigailjanecoaching.com)

I wish you the best of luck with planning your next steps towards getting the job you want. And don’t feel you have to do it alone – there is loads of help out there with information, advice and guidance to support your career plans. Life is too short to stay in a job you don’t like – you are worth so much more!