Top Tips for Job Seekers

Thoughts by Nick Bubb , Partner at dSb Recruitment Consultancy Ltd.

Maybe it’s just me but things seem to be picking up post-election.?

January to June was quite slow for most recruiters: job flow wasn’t great (processes slow, budgetary constraints, macro-economic pressures etc ) and many candidates seemed circumspect and risk (change) averse.?

Then came the announcement of the General Election which created concrete uncertainty to add to the already challenging conditions and, in my humble opinion, things got even slower. However, we now have a new government with a huge majority and that appears to have given us all a shot in the arm… there’s a sense of new direction, perhaps some confidence coming back and, well, things seem to be improving.

That said, we’re heading into the Summer holiday season and timescales will no doubt slow down and for those candidates who have been job-seeking for a while, often out of necessity (redundancy, restructures etc) it may be a short while before their weeks are filled with promising initial calls and interviews.

I’ve spoken to many candidates over the last few months who have found their job search to be longer than expected and quite dispiriting, so here are a few of my thoughts on navigating slower times before things really start picking up in the coming months…. We hope!

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1. It can only get better.?That’s my view, having recruited through some sticky years, the banking crisis of 2008 (when about 90% of my clients were, well…banks!), recessions, double dip-recessions etc. it’s all cyclical, so don’t lose faith.
2. Don’t take it personally. I’m hearing that particularly online applications are disappearing into the ether, screened out by an algorithm or an over-worked junior resourcer, lost in a numbers game, with no response, no rejection, no feedback. Or, if you’re lucky you’ll get a ‘we found more suitable candidates’ response. Don’t take it to heart, you’re not alone and it doesn’t suddenly make you a bad candidate.
3. Take a break. A friend of mine who took redundancy late last year was initially treating his job search as a full-time occupation itself, on Linked In and the job boards from 9-5, Monday to Friday. He soon realised this was more stressful than working. He changed his routine to job searching and networking in the morning with real focus and doing other things in the afternoon (exercise, DIY, quality time with the family). Mix it up so you don’t break yourself.
4. Speak to recruiters. Get your name out there, and cover some ground. You may have 2 or 3 strong relationships with good recruiters who have always done right by you and placed you once or twice in the past, but they simply might not have your dream job in your hour of need, so spread the net a bit wider. Good recruiters know recruiters, so ask about.
5. Back yourself. You’ve been good at what you do for many years, you’re not suddenly useless overnight just because market conditions have worsened. Chances are you’re not going to be unemployed for the rest of your life and whilst your new role may not yet be on the horizon, it might be tomorrow.

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It’s been slow going so far this year for many candidates but I firmly believe the corner has been turned. Keep the faith and good luck to all those looking for their next role.