Stepping up: how to find your ideal next job

Considering a career move? Below is our seven-step guide to making the leap in today’s job market.

It’s time for a change in your professional life. You’ve achieved your goals in your current role and are ready to move into a new one. Now, the challenging part begins. How do you find an opportunity that’s right for you? What do you need to consider when making the change? And, once you’ve found what you’re looking for, how do you maximise your chances of success?

1. Evaluate your current position

The first, and most important, step is to examine your current role. What do you most like about it? Which aspects of your job would you happily live without? Think about the scope of your role and its day-to-day realities. Reflect on the organisation, your working environment, flexible or hybrid options, terms and benefits, and corporate culture.

Bear in mind that a career move doesn’t necessarily require changing employers. Consider whether your current organisation offers opportunities for progression or a move into another department. If not, consider whether changes to your existing setup such as flexible working, part-time hours, or secondments could give you room to gain new skills while maintaining a regular income.

2. Don’t rush into anything

Once you decide it’s time for a change, it can be tempting to leap at the first opportunity that comes your way. Try to resist this temptation; a considered, well-researched move is far more likely to lead to long-term job satisfaction.

3. Take stock of your skills

Before starting your job search, list all of your skills. While some will be industry-specific, transferable skills are crucial if you are considering a career change or step up. Examples include leadership, communication, problem-solving, digital adaptability, and team collaboration. Identify any gaps in your knowledge and consider upskilling through online courses or workshops to strengthen your profile.

4. Make a list of your wants and needs

Write down everything you are looking for in your next role, separating your list into essential “needs” and desirable “wants.” Consider working arrangements (on-site, hybrid, or remote), work culture, career growth, and benefits.

As part of this process, calculate the minimum income you need. Map out your monthly outgoings including housing costs, utilities, travel, childcare, and everyday expenses so you have a clear, realistic salary baseline before applying.

5. Be open-minded

When considering a move, don’t limit yourself to a single industry or specific job title. Focus on your transferable skills and remain open-minded.

Also, remember that a valuable move doesn’t always have to be an upward step. Sideways moves into different sectors or departments can broaden your experience, widen your network, and position you for better long-term progression.

6. Finding your perfect position

Once you’re ready to take the plunge, begin your search across job boards, company career pages, and professional channels. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is fully updated and optimised to showcase your skills to hiring managers.

Registering with an experienced recruitment agency is one of the most effective steps you can take. Recruitment consultants often manage vacancies exclusively, giving you access to unadvertised positions and providing tailored advice for CV tailoring and video or in-person interviews at no cost to you.

7. Research, research, research

With a shortlist of target roles, research each company thoroughly. Look into their growth, recent news, workplace culture, and employee reviews on platforms like Glassdoor and LinkedIn. Cross-reference your findings against your list of wants and needs to ensure the role and culture align with your goals.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll be ready to start applying with confidence. The next step is polishing your CV for modern hiring tools; but that’s a topic for another day…

Happy hunting!

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