So you aren’t happy in your current role, or you’re no longer happy working at your current firm or it could be Dave in Accounts just rubs you up the wrong way! Whatever the reason for seeking a new opportunity the key is “Stay Positive”.
That dream job with the fabulous firm is out there. However, it may not land on your lap as soon as you start looking. So I have put together my top tips to stay sane during your job search:
1. Work with a specialist recruitment consultant – Yes I am bound to say that aren’t I but if you think about it, it makes total sense. Why do all the running around yourself? When you are most likely working during the day, you could have someone like me do the initial work on your behalf!
2. Work with a consultant you actually get on with – This is so important and often overlooked. You want someone who has bought into you, understands you and exactly what you are looking for if they are going to represent you. This has to be someone you can trust so that you can talk through any niggles or concerns you have throughout the entire process.
3. Schedule updates – Let’s face it, when you are actively looking for a new position, waiting to hear back from speculative approaches, applications and interviews is quite nerve-wracking. Having scheduled calls to discuss feedback will help you to focus and move on while the consultant does the work. More often than not I get back to my candidates sooner than they are expecting so that’s a little Brucey-Bonus!
4. Focus on what you can control – if you are working with a specialist recruitment consultant they should have asked you about your CV, even discussed any areas that could be improved or expanded upon. Make sure you have everything in there that you want the hiring manager to know BUT keep it concise. They don’t have time for War and Peace and neither do you. To view our best practice for CV writing, click here.
5. Accept that sometimes it is just timing – Seriously timing is everything. The week before you decided you were ready for a new job opportunity there could have been 3 or 4 jobs in your geographic but this week they have all been offered! It happens. However, if you are working with a good recruitment consultant who keeps in touch with you regularly they will be committed to speaking to their clients about you at every opportunity. Try not to worry and accept that things don’t always happen as quickly as we would like.
6. Remain confident – You know that you are good at what you do. Focus on your strengths and work on any weaknesses. Make a list of your accomplishments to remind yourself how effective you are (this will also come in useful when you get an interview)!
7. Maintain your work / life balance – It’s so easy sometimes to get to the end of an exhausting week and feel that you haven’t the energy or inclination to do the things that you enjoy. Sometimes it’s good to totally relax and do nothing but if you regularly miss out on the things you enjoy you’ll get stuck in a rut. No doubt you will start thinking about the reasons you are seeking a new job opportunity and that can bring you down. Stay balanced and be happy. Things will change.
It’s a tough time searching for a new role but it is also an exciting time. There are lots of opportunities in the legal sector at present. So it’s a great time to be looking and considering what you are looking for in your next role and law firm.
As always you can get in touch with me at nikki.phillips@eventuslegal.com or on 07530 737 333 for a confidential discussion to hear more about the market, opportunities and how I can help you acquire that dream job!
Blog by Nikki Phillips, Legal Recruitment Consultant covering Manchester, Lancashire, Cumbria and Cheshire.
Further reading and other blogs you may be interested in
How to maintain a healthy work / life balance
About the Eventus Recruitment Group
Here at the Eventus Recruitment Group, we believe that happiness at work is essential for everyone. We offer realistic, honest and straight forward advice to enhance your career. Our specalists can help you to find your next opportunity at no cost to you as a candidate. We recruit for all roles within the legal, HR, Finance and Accountancy sectors. To view our latest jobs, please click here.
We also support you in applying for jobs through finding suitable roles that fit your requirements and skills, CV writing and preparing you for interviews. Get in touch for a confidential discussion about your career.
All our recruitment consultants are experienced and are experts in their fields. Working with integrity and confidentiality, they will dedicate time to getting to know you and finding the perfect job for you.
If you would like help hiring for a vacancy, please click here to contact us.