So, you have decided its time to move on to pastures new. Change is both scary and exciting but the more you control the process, the more power you have.
If you plan now, you can secure a job that’s right for you, negotiate the best salary and get no nasty surprises when you start.
The first part of my series on effective job-hunting is about clarifying your goals.
Clarify: What is important to you in your next job?
What do you want in your next job?
What don't you want in your next job?
Dig deep and list all of these in detail.
This will ensure you can set clear objectives to target the right roles and ask the right questions at interview.
I will go into more detail around structuring interview questions, to do effective do your due-diligence in a future article.
You will never tick all the boxes, but more clarity makes you better prepared and more likely to achieve your dream job.
Head two columns and start making a list:
“want” “don’t want”
Your goals in a new job can be broken into a number of categories, here are some ideas and examples to get you thinking:
Fundamental Requirements:
Job title (write down all the different job titles you see commonly used for your target job/s, this will help you when you update your CV and in the search process)
Location
Salary range (base)
Benefits (car, bonus, discounted gym etc.)
Type of business
Hours of work (or flexible working)
Childcare access
The Job:
Write down all the elements of your specific role that you enjoy and those that you don’t.
Obviously, some of the dislikes might be non-negotiable, but some are likely to be specific to the environment you currently work in; such as being snowed under with admin or a cranky boss.
Internal systems and tools (or not if you hate using technology)
Leadership responsibilities (team structure)
Close team environment
Autonomy
Supportive management / Micromanagement / Hands-off management
Career:
Opportunities for progression (note your career goals and ambitions)
Opportunities for training
Opportunities to work in different locations
Company & Culture:
Social workplace / Non-social workplace
Environment that welcomes employees’ contributions
Environment that has internal rewards and recognition
Fast paced / slow paced
Growing rapidly / stable and well established
Recognisable client list
High profile
Low staff turnover
Friday drinks
Progressive and open minded / rigid and traditional
When you have listed all of these you can rank them into “non-negotiable”, “pretty damn important” and “nice to have” so you clearly understand your priorities.
Next time I will talk about researching the market to continue the planning process, strategise your CV update and job-hunting approach.
Connect with me for more great tips in this series on optimising your job-hunt.
I have helped thousands of people achieve their career goals quicker, secure awesome jobs and plan strategic career paths.
I write resumes, LinkedIn profiles and provide complementary and personalised coaching to all my clients.
I work with people from all industries and professions, from graduate to managing director level and have a tailored program for new skilled migrants.
I have helped people in Australia, America, Europe, Asia the Middle East and Africa!
I love my work and hearing my client’s stories, its lots of fun.
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