Finding work is no easy task. It can be a gruelling process at times, and you can become stuck in a loop of sending out the same CV or application to no avail.
There are also a couple of key errors people make when searching for work. Here are a few steps that you can take to make sure that your attempt at getting a job is more likely to result in success.
Where should you start?
If you’re looking at getting a job in Scotland, you should start with your CV. If it’s been some time since you wrote it, or if you’ve been sending out the same CV in response to job adverts and hearing nothing back, it’s time to rewrite it.
Keep in mind how little time that employers spend actually looking at your CV. The average time is between 5 and 10 seconds, which is more like scanning than actually reading. A CV is usually a quick summary of your experiences, skills and qualities – cover letters and application forms are where you can expand a little more.
However, you still need to ensure you’re hitting the specific things the employer is looking for. Avoid simply cutting and pasting your CV for lots of applications; some tailoring will be required for each role.
Can your social media play a part in the recruitment process?
In short, yes. You should assume that an employer will google your name if they’re interested in finding out more about you. Therefore, deleting anything inappropriate, or making accounts private, is a smart move. If you have a LinkedIn profile, keeping that updated is a good idea too.
You can also check out specialised Scottish job search websites such as s1jobs.com.
How should you approach your job hunt?
Treat your job search like an actual job. Take it seriously, make lists, and dedicate a sensible amount of time to it each day. Even things like getting dressed and sitting at a desk to focus on job applications can help you be more productive. You can then relax at the end of the day and concentrate on other activities. It’s easy to become stressed and overworked when job-searching, so you also need to remember to take care of yourself.
Staying positive is also key, and this can obviously be tricky. It can be incredibly disheartening to receive a series of job rejections, but you should try to take everything you can from these. Ask for feedback, particularly if you make it to the interview stage. It may take time, but you’ll get there eventually!
Once you’ve found work, it might be tempting to splash out a little, but you should try limiting your spending for at least a little while to save some of your earnings.
If you’re struggling to manage your finances, however, Trust Deed Scotland is here to help.
We provide free Scottish Debt Help, and if you’re currently experiencing it, you should use our Trust Deed Wizard to find out exactly how we can help you.
Learn to manage your finances better by reading more of our info hub posts.