Step-by-Step Guide to Get a Job in 2020 (Part 1)
Ida-Mélody BABELA
Career Change & Expatriation Coach Europe & Africa ?? Turning your unique Gift Into a Meaningful Career.
The end of 2019 is fast approaching. The chance to get a job this year might seem unrealistic unless you are already in a final stage of an interview process. Job opportunities decrease as companies hurry to complete unfinished projects and next month festivities will inevitably keep them more preoccupied than ever. But this shouldn’t put you down, quite the opposite! This time of the year is the best time to be more aggressive in your job search! Here is why:
- It is a great opportunity to reflect on your career goals and make sure they are clear and realistic;
- Now is the best time to make sure you have a rocking CV and alluring LinkedIn profile to appeal to recruiters who will be hiring;
- This is also a perfect timing to prepare your job-hunting strategy and have a clear plan of attack for next year;
- This is the most ideal time to connect with hiring Managers with the right branding and build a relationship before the new year kicks off.
We designed a 10 step-by step guide to help you strategise your job search and help you land the job of your dream in 2020.
Here are the top 5!
Step 1: Do Your Homework First. Most In-Demand Jobs For 2020
Knowing which industry will be hiring allows you to narrow down your search and have a clear strategy for your job search. Beware! Lots of positions hit the job market but how many really match your dream job? Not so many, right? So, be authentic and identify industries that align with your beliefs and principles, so you can really thrive in your future position.
Now let’s brush over some of countries you might be planning to relocate to and their fastest growing sectors. Please bear in mind that this list is not exhaustive but might give you an idea of the upcoming recruitment trends.
France:
By 2020, a high number of people going to retirement by 2020. Although all the positions won’t be replaced, there will still be a lot of job opportunities. Carers, caregivers (Practical nurse), and building professionals (industrial electricians, plumbers, Site Managers) will be in high demand with the highest volumes of job creation by 2020; followed by the Technology sector (software engineers, data analyst, digital and video application engineer). We will also notice to solid growth in jobs in environment and sustainability or even the beauty industry.
Source: https://travail-emploi.gouv.fr/)
UK:
In the UK, the top careers that will be booming in 2020 and beyond would be solar and wind energy technician, software engineers, physical therapists, registered nurses (RN), data analyst, and digital content specialist.
Would these jobs survive after the Brexit? That is the question! This crucial topic will be the subject of another blog post where we will provide you with a more in-depth information.
Source: https://www.trade-schools.net/articles/best-careers-for-the-future.asp
Africa:
This massive continent is composed of various economies which grow at different speeds. However, we can see a trend in the type of jobs that will be mainly sought for: fintech professionals for example, software developer, network system administrator, business analyst and database analyst, and business architect. Other industries are showing great potential such as the Building & Infrastructure sector, especially in East Africa. Watch out for Cameroon, Togo, Ivory Coast and Egypt where the construction sector is booming again.
Source:
- https://www.jeuneafrique.com/mag/776758/economie/conjoncture-la-grande-reprise-du-btp-en-afrique/
- https://talent2africa.com/emploi-tech-les-metiers-les-plus-recherches-en-afrique-dici-2020
- https://www.jeuneafrique.com/mag/776758/economie/conjoncture-la-grande-reprise-du-btp-en-afrique/
Canada
If you are planning to immigrate to Canada, for instance, it is absolutely crucial that you show an expertise in one of the following areas: Industrial electrician, Aerospace engineer, Software engineer or designer, Welder, Occupational or physiotherapy assistant.
Source: https://www.slice.ca/money/photos/canadian-careers-in-demand-in-2020-and-after/
Step2: Pinpoint Your Skillset
A job title is just a job title. From one company to another the same job title might involve different tasks and duties. The same job can even be titled differently. Relying solely on the title of the role your wish to apply for doesn’t mean much. Instead, focusing on your skillset is more likely to lead you towards your dream job. Even a job that you might never have thought of. If you map all your work experience and the skills you have developed, you might come up with a brand-new job title that is more in phase with what you want to do.
If you have some issues identifying what you are good at or you need clarity in your skillset, contact us to know more about our Career Change CV or Career Discovery Sessions. We will be glad to help you find your path.
Step 3: A Tailored CV is More Effective than a Generic One
Sending the exact same CV to different companies without adapting it to their need, won’t help you out at all. Each organisation is different. Recruiters are looking for key elements in your CV to see if you will be a good fit for their company. Instead of trying to tailor your CV to every single job out there, align your CV with your skills, expertise and career goals. By doing so, you will have clarity in the type of job that match with your main strengths. You will save time, energy and avoid unnecessary rejection emails!
Our CV Booster can help you stand out and get noticed by recruiters. Contact us for more information.
Step 4: Customize Your Cover Letter
It is true that a cover letter is designed to give evidence of your suitability for the role targeted. But do not forget that it needs to be personal and personable. We want to feel your motivation, your passion, your energy. Far too often, we go through cover letter which just give a blunt list of functional tasks written with nonchalance and lack of engagement; or on the flip side, they are filled with qualities to show how much of a genius and great human being you are, with nothing to back it up. Give the right balance!
Start with your love for what you do (to build rapport)
Tell the recruiter WIIFH (What Is In It For Him = your added value and accomplishments)
Influence the recruiter by talking about the company and how much you have in common.
Step 5: Adapt Your LinkedIn Page
LinkedIn is the first professional social network worldwide with 616 Million people and 300 Million active users. This is a gigantic professional ecosystem where everyone connects based on their similarities. All the skills, industries and content that you could think of are present on this amazing platform. It is also obviously a bridge to a multitude of opportunities where astonishing careers start, every minute.
But be careful! Do not fall into the trap of making your profile factual and look like a CV. A strong powerful LinkedIn profile needs to boost your brand, it tells us who you are. Do not hesitate to let your personality shine through! For us, a good LinkedIn profile should be a balanced mix between a CV and a Cover Letter. Your LinkedIn profile matters and is your key differentiator! So use it wisely and effectively.
There you have it our 5 first steps for the best preparation. These important steps will already take a tremendous amount of time, but it will be all well worth it and will guarantee your success. Stay tuned for the step 6 to 10 that will be released tomorrow.
Have you ever been supported by a coach for your job search? If so, what was your experience? Please share with us!
Contact us if you want to know more about our job search mentoring.