Your 10 Step Action Plan to Securing a New Role

Posted by Clayton Recruitment on 11th November 2021 -

With the backdrop of the pandemic still ever present as we cross over into the second half of 2021, job-hunting may not naturally be on the cards due to perceived market uncertainty and a nervousness to jump ship. However, hiring across the sector has accelerated since mid-February leading to a 'boom' in opportunities across many practice areas and regions.

For some individuals, looking for a new role right now could be your first foray into the job-hunting market for years; especially for those in middle and senior management roles. 

The critical factor here is doing the work needed to get organised and implement your ‘project new role’ plan. With this in mind, our recruiting team have mapped out a 10 point action plan to help you secure your new role now. 

 

1. UPDATING YOUR CV 

First things first, it’s time to update your CV.  

Make sure your CV is up-to-date and showcases not just your previous work experience, but your talents. Employers are receiving higher than normal applications for roles, so now is the time to stand out. 

Remember your new employer wants to know what results you will be able to deliver for their team. 

For example, rather than describing your role in this way - ‘Commercial Manager – I held this position for two years at a leading UK organisation in a managerial role’.  

Instead, detail your achievements in this role. For example, ‘in my most recent role as a Manager in a leading UK commercial organisation, I have been instrumental in helping increase sales, working closely with the marketing team to implement new strategies and as a result, our online sales increased by 26% in one year.’ 

 

2. CREATING A COVER LETTER 

Some candidates ask us whether or not they should include a cover letter with their CV, and our advice is always yes! 

Cover letters are still the best way to connect with prospective employers and HR managers; it makes you stand out above others too. 

Don’t send out the same generic cover letter for each role you apply for; tailor a cover letter for each position. It’s a little extra work, but it is the best way to get noticed.  

Getting your messaging right on your cover letter is essential for your new job search – let me explain. 

 

3. GET YOUR MESSAGING RIGHT 

Your messaging is the way that you are going to present yourself to prospective employers. This will be especially relevant to you if you are changing sectors or looking for a different role to what you have been trained for. 

If you are stepping outside your comfort zone and applying for jobs that are different from your usual remit, you should explain this in your cover letter. Demonstrate your ability to learn and to be flexible (with examples) to explain a change of sector or role to get your messaging right. 

 

4. SET YOUR GOAL 

Now it’s time to think about what it is you want from your new role. 

You might be instinctively looking for a role that is similar to your last one, or in the same sector, but it might be the time to re-evaluate your career goals – however scary that might sound. 

You might realise after some soul searching that now is the time to follow that career dream you have always had at the back of your mind. Talking to a recruitment consultant can help you make sense of your career goal. 

 

5. CONSIDER DIFFERENT AND NEW OPTIONS 

You might not want to change sector or role completely, but there are other elements to consider when you’re job searching in our post-pandemic world. 

For example- 

• Is it possible for you to move to a different location? Even widening your search area by 10 or 20 miles can dramatically increase your choice.
• Can you revisit a sector you worked in earlier in your career where you have experience or training?
• Have you talked through your career plan with a dedicated career coach or recruiter like our team here at Clayton Recruitment?

 

6. YOUR HOMEWORK

If you are considering moving into a new sector or role, make sure you do your homework first. This means getting as much information as you can about the sector and the position and the opportunities it may, or may not bring for you.

 

• Attend sector webinars and workshops, 
• research companies online, 
• what do their employee advocacies look like? 
• Do they have case studies and testimonials? 

 

7. MAINTAIN YOUR ONLINE PROFILE 

Once you have started applying to new roles, either on your own or with the help of a recruitment company like ourselves, remember to maintain your online profile. 

Researching you online is the first thing that HR or hiring managers will do, and now as competition for roles are increasing, make sure your online profile positions you as a professional and ideally an expert in your sector. 

Be active on social media, but keep it professional; make sure any personal profiles you have communicate your own personal brand. And remember you can alter your privacy settings too. 

 

8. LINKEDIN 

Staying with social media – during your job search, LinkedIn is going to be your best friend.  

Stay up to date with sector news and stay on the radar of the companies you would like to work for by liking, sharing and interacting with company posts. Connect with people from your sector, HR managers and reconnect with old colleagues. 

Putting yourself ‘out there’ on LinkedIn is one of the most valuable things you can do in your new job search. 

 

9. PRACTICE YOUR INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE 

Landing a new role is all about confidence. The more confident you are in yourself, the better chance you have of securing a new position when you get to the interview stage. 

Assessment Today have a great online resource for practising your interview technique which you can find here. 

 

10. WORK WITH A RECRUITER 

And finally – if you are struggling to find a role on your own – we understand that it feels tough at the moment for some individuals – we can help. 

We offer a full recruitment service and specialise in middle and senior management candidates looking for new roles.  

Please get in contact with us today contact us here