NEW YEAR, NEW CAREER!

If you're thinking about a career change in the New Year, you are not alone - a lot of people feel this way. It is part of the New Year, new you mantra; whether it be joining that gym class that you have been putting off, taking up a new hobby, sticking to your New Year’s resolutions – the media is full of changes that we can make to our lives to improve them for the fresh year ahead.

Experts have reported that the New Year is a great time to start looking for a new career as both candidates and recruiters come back after Christmas reenergised and excited for a new challenge. But with so many people thinking the same thing, what's the best way to get ahead of the competition?

Have A Clear Focus on What You Want

 Taking your current and past positions in to consideration, what are the factors that make you feel motivated and what are the things you’d like to change? Your next move should be a positive step forward in your career; not necessarily in a monetary or title manner, but one where you feel you’ll be making progress, being challenged and getting the most out of your days. Have you mastered your area and feel ready to manage a team? Is there a company you’ve always wanted to work for? Are you eager to take on more responsibility? Think about what you want out of your next career step and then talk to your recruitment agency so that they can start looking for the right opportunities for you.

 Check Your Social Media Account

Social Media is everything nowadays. As well as your professional networks, your personal platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram are representing your ‘brand’ which in a nutshell is you! Potential employers use social media as the perfect ‘reference’ for you before you have even met them. It is the first thing that they will check, I certainly do! Make sure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date with your current role responsibilities, any key projects you have worked on, any awards you have been a part of winning/being nominated for. However, you can make yourself stand out online (in a positive, professional manner), put it on there! And as mentioned double check your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram pages. You can always set your settings to private if there are some posts that you’d rather a potential employer not see, especially the one’s over the festive period after a few too many drinks!

Final Thought

Taking the time to really assess what it is you want out of your next position is the first step you should make over Christmas. Then be picky about which positions you go up for. You spend a lot of time at work, thinking about it, travelling to it, so you owe it to yourself to go for things you can get enthused about. This is an exciting time; you have the opportunity to go for the things you really want from your career when looking anew!

We at Kingston Barnes specialise in really getting to know both our clients and our candidates, to ensure that we pair up people and businesses who are a good match. So, have a good think about what it is you want next, and if you’re not sure then talk to the experts in the know! Come and chat to us! You never know what perfect position is waiting for you in the New Year.

For more expert recruitment advice on how we can help you in your new career please get in touch on 0117 325 2233. For now, though, from all of us at Kingston Barnes, have a very Happy Christmas and New Year!