Nine smart things to do while job hunting

Nine smart things to do while job hunting

If you’re looking for work, it pays to use your time wisely. Here’s how

By Sophie Cole

Question: what’s the smart thing to do while searching for work?

Answer: use the time constructively to look after yourself and improve your employability.

Establish a routine so you have a reason to get out of bed and on with your day.  

That’s the view of the experts at Just Recruitment, who have an enviable track record of placing candidates in jobs that are just right for their skills. We asked for the advice they’d give to people who are between jobs. This is what they had to say.

1. Stay motivated

“It’s easy when job hunting to find yourself slipping into a feeling of laziness or indifference to the world,” says Tracey Bates (Business Manager). “Take pride in your appearance. Establish a routine so you have a reason to get out of bed and on with your day. Use the space in your schedule to attend to stuff that’s easily put to one side when you’re busy with work.

“Those niggling health complaints you’ve been ignoring? Get to a doctor and have them checked out. That long overdue spring clean of your house? Get it done and you’ll feel a whole lot better about everything.”

Nine smart things to do while job hunting2. Get moving

“Use your spare time to enjoy some physical activity,” advises Jody Collings (Business Manager). “Working up a sweat will release endorphins in your body, making you feel positive and upbeat. That’ll come over when you apply for jobs, giving you a particular edge in interviews.

“If money’s tight because you’re not earning, there are loads of free resources online, including YouTube videos on everything from Yoga, Pilates and Zumba to Kickboxing, Martial Arts and Dance. So get downloading and get dancing: you’ll reap the rewards.”

3. Think about what you want from life

“Now’s the moment to stand back and really think about where you’d like your career to go,” says Bridie James (Business Manager). “This is particularly important if you’ve been dismissed from a role, as identifying where things went wrong will aid your learning for the future.

“Now’s the moment to stand back and really think about where you’d like your career to go,”...  

“Whatever the circumstances that led to you being on the job market, you’ve got some welcome space to stand back, take stock, and work out what you want to happen next. With a clearer vision to drive you, you’ll have bags more energy and a much sharper focus.” 

4. Pick up some new self-care habits

“Looking after yourself is important, but self-care can easily slip when you’re busy searching for work,” says Bridie. “Make time every day just to be. Maybe try some meditation techniques or stress management. Work on improving your sleep pattern or develop your time-management skills.

“The important thing is to establish self-care habits that will endure, even when you’re back in employment. That will help prevent burnout, making you a healthier, happier person.

Nine smart things to do while job hunting5. Improve your career prospects

“One reason people struggle to find work is that their qualifications aren’t right for the vacancies available,” says Jody. “But this challenge is easily overcome: there are loads of free or low-cost courses that can enhance your skill set.

“Many of these courses can be easily completed through a few weeks of self-supported study. So you can tackle them in bite-size chunks, helping to keep you motivated and giving your CV a welcome boost in the process.”

6. Don’t be too proud to ask for help

“If you’re struggling financially while looking for work, you shouldn’t be embarrassed about asking for the support you’re entitled to,” says Tracey. “There are lots of state benefits available, especially if you’ve paid National Insurance contributions for more than two years. These include Universal Credit, Job Seekers’ Allowance (JSA), and Housing Benefit.

There are whole communities online dedicated to saving you money,...  

“There’s a load of helpful information and guidance on the gov.uk website, or you can visit a Job Centre to find out exactly what you’re entitled to.”

7. Embrace your inner miser

Bridie says that some of her most dynamic candidates use their business acumen to save themselves money while job hunting.

“If you know where to look, there are loads of ways to reduce your spending,” she says. “That can relieve some of the financial pressure of unemployment. There are whole communities online dedicated to saving you money, including VoucherCodes, Topcashback, Quidco and moneysavingexpert.com.”

Nine smart things to do while job hunting8. Overhaul your online profile

“If you’ve time on your hands, it makes a lot of sense to bring your social media profile up to date, and delete any embarrassing or awkward posts,” says Jody.

“Make sure your online presence shows you in the best possible light. Lots of recruiters will check you out before deciding whether or not to interview you. Give yourself a digital spruce-up. You may find your job prospects receive a welcome shot in the arm.”

9. Be tempted by temping

Kelly Lewis, who works in the Sudbury office, says that searching for permanent work may not be the smartest move for some job hunters.

“There are so many interesting temporary roles available that I advise some of my clients to consider these first,” she says. “For some people, temping provides a way of testing out a number of different jobs before settling on a favourite. For others, it’s a way of building their CV and making contacts with potential employers. Whatever your motivation, it’s a great way to earn while you’re applying for permanent posts.”

You can check out Just Recruitment’s selection of temporary and permanent, full and part-time jobs here. Happy hunting!

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: 
What are the most common spelling mistakes on CVs?
How to be successful in interviews

 

Published: 13 June 2024
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2024

Jobs currently available

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Design Technician
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £28,600 - £30,000 per annum
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913640
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a Design Technician for a manufacturer based in Tiverton, Devon, to join their Research and Development team.

This role may suit you if you are looking for a job in research and development and have gained some experience in an office-based role with some practical engineering experience.

This exciting and interesting development opportunity will focus on:

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  • Maintaining existing product designs, records and drawings.
  • Assisting with the production and optimisation of 3D printed components.
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Qualifications/Experience required:

  • Good working knowledge of physics and mathematics.
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  • Some understanding of Design for Manufacture (DFM).
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You need to have served a recognised Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship or similar discipline.

Hours of work:

Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
35 hours per week.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £37,618 - £42,320 per annum
Location: Braintree, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913638
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a CNC Sliding Head Setter/Operator for a company based in Braintree, Essex.

You will be working on a 37 hour week, rotating early and late shifts.

Early shift: Monday to Thursday, 06.00 to 14.00. Friday, 06.00 to 13.30.
Late shift: Monday to Thursday, 14.00 to 22.00. Friday, 13.30 to 21.00.

You will be responsible for operating multiple CNC Sliding Head machines. Your duties will include:

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Experience required:

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Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £26,000 - £28,000 per annum
Location: Braintree, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
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Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Quality Inspector for an engineering company based in Braintree, Essex.

For this role, you will have a sharp eye for detail and a keen interest in all aspects of Quality Assurance to join their Inspection Department.

You will provide quality control support to the production team by troubleshooting using an array of in-depth inspection techniques on a daily basis. The company has a high mix environment, so you will need to be comfortable working with a broad spectrum of parts.

This role is a key part of the quality team, ensuring the company’s reputation for quality is maintained at a high standard. You will support adherence to quality standards (ISO 9001:2015) by approving materials, in-process production and finished parts.
In addition to manual inspection work, you will be responsible for conducting internal audits, calibration activities and involvement in CAPA (Corrective Action Preventative Action).

Responsibilities include:

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Qualifications/experience include:

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Hours of work:
Monday to Thursday: 7.30am to 4.00pm.

Friday: 7.30am to 3.00pm.
39-hours per week.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Role: Full Time
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Joining a small but dynamic team, this unique role involves assisting the Technical Director in maintaining strong relationships with longstanding customers while also developing new client connections.

The company takes pride in delivering exceptional pre- and post-sales service and you will need to be highly organised individual who will thrive in their friendly office environment.

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Key requirements for the role:

  • Proactive attitude
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  • Free refreshments
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  • Staff discount
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Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Competitive
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Role: Full Time
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Just Recruitment is partnering with a well-regarded manufacturing company on the outskirts of Sudbury to recruit a full-time, permanent Cleaner for their facilities team.

The primary purpose of this role is to support the facilities maintenance team in maintaining a high standard of cleanliness throughout the buildings. Responsibilities include following the company’s daily cleaning plan, updating schedules and records, and collaborating with all on-site teams.

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In order to be considered for this role you must have previous cleaning experience within an industrial setting.

Working hours are:
Monday to Thursday, 2pm to 10pm and Friday 1pm to 7pm

This is an excellent opportunity to join a great company, offering great benefits!

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Sector: Marketing, Advertising and PR
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Braintree, Essex
Role: Full Time
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About the role

Just Recruitment seeks a Marketing Project Administrator for a manufacturer based in Braintree, Essex.

This role is ideal for someone who is highly organised, a strong communicator, and passionate about marketing and project management!

You will need to be a strategic thinker with strong project marketing skills, a deep understanding of marketing processes, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

You will also help to oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of marketing campaigns and initiatives.

This role is central to ensuring cross-functional collaboration, timely project completion, and alignment with business goals.

Key knowledge and skills:

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Proven experience required:

  • Development of marketing plans for products.
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Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
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Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Competitive
Location: North
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
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About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a market leading manufacturer, looking to recruit a Field Service Engineer to cover the North East area.

The key purpose of this role is to be responsible for the installation, commissioning, service, repair, breakdown and maintenance of the company’s range of equipment in various medical environments.

Key duties include:

  • Installation, commissioning, maintenance, and fault finding of a wide range of different manufactured and third-party equipment.
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To be considered for this exciting role you must be able to demonstrate a background working in a field service or technical support role, gained within a capital equipment environment. You should be qualified to a minimum of HNC level or above in electrical installation/ engineering/maintenance or another relevant technical discipline.

An electrician with an electrical test and inspection background would also be considered.

Applicants are welcome from a wide range of equipment backgrounds.

You must have impeccable customer service skills and a confident and professional manner in customer-facing environments.

Key requirements include:

  • Previous experience of performing in a technical field service team.
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  • Good working knowledge of Word, Excel.
  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Positive ‘can-do’ attitude.
  • Problem solver - ability to engineer solutions on the job.
  • Ability to work and manage in a high-pressure environment.
  • Work autonomously, taking initiative to resolve customer issues.
  • Willing to travel and work unsocial hours when needed.
  • Some overnight stays are required.

What this role offers:

  • You will be rewarded with a competitive basic salary. overtime, company van, expenses, phone, pension and healthcare package.
  • You will be continually challenged as you are exposed to new technologies. You will receive constant support and guidance from senior management, and your technical knowledge will be furthered through training courses.
  • For those with the desire there are opportunities to progress your career within the department and into the wider company.
  • In return, you will benefit from dedicated product training, recognised by the industry, which will run on an ongoing basis as new products are introduced.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more