Five Tips For Job Hunters Seeking Employment In 2021
Guest post by Matthew de la Hey, CEO & Co-Founder, inploi
The job market in the UK is recovering quicker than some experts predicted thanks to the speed of the UK’s vaccination programme and the economy opening up.
The number of people on payrolls rose by nearly 100,000 in April and job vacancies increased by 13%.
Meanwhile, the number of unemployed people unexpectedly fell in the first three months of the year to 4.8%. This is the first time it has dropped since the pandemic began in early 2020.
So, with business confidence slowly returning and recruitment on the up, what are employers looking for from candidates in 2021? In this blog, Matthew de la Hey, founder and CEO of online recruitment platform Inploi, shares his thoughts on what candidates should be doing this year to stand out from the crowd.
1. Build your network
The process of building your professional network should begin as early as possible. As a postgraduate student try to connect with as many of your peers as possible. The pandemic has made it harder for people to meet in person but meaningful relationships can still be made virtually. The relationships you make today could open up important doors for you in the future. Individuals who are studying or training in the same profession as you are of the utmost priority. Lecturers can also connect you to colleagues, employers and alumni in your chosen field. Finally, career fairs and internships can provide an important pathway to employment.
2. Share your COVID-19 story
We have all been affected by the pandemic but our experiences of coping with Covid-19 are unique. Every employer has had to adapt over the past 18 months and recruiters will be interested to know how you responded to these challenges. Of course, this doesn’t define a person, but it can provide a useful way of judging certain traits, such as resilience, determination, ingenuity and flexibility. If you are a recent graduate or postgraduate you will be able to share how you responded to the challenges the pandemic had on your study. Be prepared to tell your story. It doesn’t have to be a remarkable one but it’s a good way to reveal more about your character.
3. Highlight your transferable skills
Candidates with transferable skills have always been sought after by employers. But now more than ever companies are looking for dynamic individuals who are capable of succeeding in different roles and environments. Education and relevant qualifications are always important to employers. But as most can confirm, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd unless you have gone on to do a postgraduate degree or further professional training. In a crowded marketplace, employers are looking for people that offer something different. That might be leadership qualities, first-class communication skills or digital capabilities. Think about how else you can showcase your talents and strengths to impress recruiters.
4. Target high-growth industries
The pandemic has hit some sectors harder than others. Retail, hospitality and travel have all been disproportionately affected by Covid-19. The recovery in the UK is already underway. But it’s going to take time for many businesses to recoup the losses they’ve suffered over the last year. Now is the time to reassess your situation and make sure your next move is the right one. If employment opportunities in your chosen sector or profession are harder to come by, then is now the time to consider shifting your career interests? Alternatively, you might want to look at shorter-term placements or freelance work to buy yourself more time. Things have changed a lot over the past year and it will take time for the dust to settle.
5. Trust in the fundamentals
The world around us has changed a lot over during the pandemic and it’s easy to focus on what’s different. However, when it comes to recruitment, companies are ultimately still looking for candidates with the core skills required to succeed in the job. On any CV or in any application or interview, it is important to communicate your skills in these areas and provide real-life examples of your experience. Hone in on these as much as possible, as a candidate who meets all the fundamental requirements will always be in a very strong position.
5 Ways You Can Max Your CV Potential
inploi is a recruitment technology services provider offering clients a full suite of technology, branding, and marketing solutions that enable employers to reach and engage the future of their workforce. From content creation for employer branding through job distribution, programmatic media buying, social media recruiting, applicant tracking, HR process automation and more all delivered through a bespoke online platform that connects job seekers with opportunities.