As we make our New Year’s resolutions each January, the job market is flooded with candidates searching for new roles.
With this in mind, global HR experts Remote have detailed what job hunters and employers need to know ahead of the new year in terms of recruitment, sharing top tips on how to navigate the fiercely competitive landscape.
HR expert shares 5 tips for job applicants in 2023
1. Know what you want from a new role
Job hunting can be difficult, and it’s even more difficult if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for.
Before you dive into applying for jobs, take some time to figure out what you want from your new role. Put together a list of positions and companies that interest you, and take note of why they caught your eye. This will help you narrow down your options and find the right role for you.
2. Know what you don’t want from a new role
As well as being sure of what you want from a new job, you should also be aware of what you don’t want. Consider what made you want to leave your current or previous role: was it a lack of progression? Poor life/work balance? Or is it just time for something new?
Whatever it is, knowing what you dislike about your current or previous job will help you pinpoint your priorities for the next one. Prepare a list of dealbreakers and use this to narrow down the roles you consider. If you make it through to interview stage, ask your point of contact to clarify any uncertainty you may have.
3. Give your CV a 2023 makeover
Tailoring your CV to the role you’re applying for is always a good idea – especially if it’s been a while since you last updated it.
Make the most of it by detailing all your most relevant experience and accomplishments, and get rid of any information that no longer needs to be there. It’s also useful to ask someone you trust to go through and check for any spelling or grammatical errors.
Reshape your CV to focus on quantifiable value. Demonstrate your experience in performance terms and list out the results you achieved that are relevant to your target role.
Remember to keep things concise and skimmable. Two pages should be enough to convey the most important information to a recruiter or hiring manager.
4. Do some new-year networking
Networking is the way to get ahead in 2023. If you haven’t already, update your LinkedIn and social media profiles and aim to make meaningful connections.
Whether it be an ex-classmate from university who now works at your dream company or a more experienced colleague who can give you tips to progress, there are plenty of people out there who will be happy to help you reach your career goals.
If you have a shortlist of target companies you’d love to work for, try to find a connection who has worked there previously or is currently on staff. Speak to someone on the inside to get an understanding of the roles available and what is expected from top candidates.
5. Set realistic goals
Speaking of career goals, make sure they’re realistic and achievable.
Having ambitious long-term goals is great, but setting yourself some shorter-term goals that you can realistically achieve within the year is also a good idea. For example, if your long-term goal is to go freelance, you may want to focus on gaining relevant experience for now and aim to build up your portfolio as much as possible.
Nadia Vatalidis, VP of People at Remote comments on what employers need to consider during recruitment’s busiest period:
“The start of the new year is a popular hiring period for businesses, so it’s vital for employers to have an intentional recruitment plan in place. Business owners should consider their company’s needs, as well as the kind of job applicants they want to attract. Start with a process designed to recruit for a values match to foster a strong company culture.
To attract talent in such a competitive job market, it’s more important than ever to be honest and transparent. Include salary information and employee benefits in the job listing, and be upfront about exactly who and what you’re looking for. If you can offer flexible working conditions – call this out as an incentive! So many top performers are actively seeking roles with more autonomy and life-work balance.
Companies may also want to consider filling positions on a global scale to widen the pool of applicants further and open up to the best worldwide talent. This will also offer a fresh perspective for your business, in line with a fresh start for the new year.”