How to land a job you love in 2023

Have you fallen out of love with your job? Whatever the reason, you know in your heart it is time to break up with your job.

As Ethos Engineering was recently named Best Organisation to Work For 2022, we know a thing or two about what makes a perfect match for your next career move.

Why not celebrate this Valentine’s Day with a new role you love?

We promise these tips for success in the search for a perfect match will last well beyond the honeymoon stage.

Alison Heffernan, Ethos Head of People & Talent, is here to help you take the leap and bring back that warm, fuzzy feeling about your career.

Last year, Heffernan’s piece in the Sunday Business Post gave some best practices to help you cuff that dream job and make it official.

The points she focussed on are still relevant to raise your profile and uncover what is important to you, but a lot has changed in the last 12 months, and in certain sectors there is an air of uncertainty.

Interestingly, Forbes, describes four things to prepare for a job search in 2023
Their first point resonates strongly with the essential questions I ask every candidate – Why do you want to change? What are your priorities that underpin your need for change?

Recognising and understanding the reasons why you want a change, such as stability, development, compensation or even freedom from rigidity of traditional working practices, are among the most common reasons people seek a change.

At Ethos, our quarterly engagements surveys showed that 98 percent of our people express that they are satisfied with the flexibility we offer.

Therefore, we understand how finding an organisation that supports high earning potential, but no flexible working practices could demotivate you.

So, what can you do to ensure that it’s the right role, in the right company, with the right offerings for you?

Ask relevant questions during the recruitment process. Sounds easy, but for some, when the interviewer says “Have you any questions for us?” this makes the interviewee uncomfortable. 

This is your gentle reminder that the interview process is a two-way conversation. Asking questions shows the interviewer your interest in the company and enthusiasm for the role.

To overcome nerves or feeling uncomfortable, Heffernan’s advice is to have a couple of questions prepared. The questions do not need to be complex, but their purpose is to provide you with clarity on what the role and company can offer you. “What does a typical day look like?” will provide further insight into the role, and asking about the company’s Learning and Development support systems will help you gage their commitment to nurturing talent.

If you feel that the interviewer has already provided you with clarity, have back up questions such as “Can I offer you any further information with regards to my experience relevant to this role?” or “What do you like personally about your role/the company?”

There’s no better time than the present, so why not take the first step in finding a job you love this Valentine's Day?

Here’s some pointers from Alison’s Sunday Business Post piece to get started:

1.  Explore positions that are advertised and use these as a pointer to establish what enthuses you (or not) in your desired role.

 2.  Identify what type of organisation you want to work for?
Is it Multinational, indigenous, scaling etc? Look at your personal values: can you match them to the organisations values that you want to work for? Explore their values by following companies on Google, Twitter or LinkedIn and look at what their leaders are saying, how does what they say make you feel?

3.  Get your CV in shape!
Remember, it’s not a dating profile, you want to remain professional (but also be yourself) by briefly showcasing your skills, values, personality and why you want to work. Be self-critical. How does it look? Is it generic? Is the work history relevant? Always tailor your CV for the roles and the experience level for which you are applying. Also, never send a CV “cold” – it should always be accompanied by a brief personalised cover note that lets the reader get to know the person behind the CV.

 4. Up your game on LinkedIn!
Use your network, school, college, former and potential colleagues. Follow the organisations that you want to work for. Does your profile match your CV? Add a bit more than dates, provide an overview of your role, achievements, and contributions.

  5. Increase your visibility on the platform by posting articles that you are passionate about or that trigger your interest in current social/economic topics. If blogging/writing/creativity is your thing, publish a piece on areas that you are enthusiastic about. Also, consider making connections in the organisations that you want to work in. Reach out to people that work there, be bold, share your interest in the company and that you would like to get the inside view! Always personalise your message. For instance, “Hi, I’m Judy, I’m really interested in working in Company X, I’ve been following the company for some time, and it is a company that I would like to seek an opportunity with. It would be great to connect, and maybe some time we could have a virtual coffee?”

 6.  Interview Essentials:
Know your CV. This might seem obvious, but at interviews you want to tell your work/career as a story rather than rattling off facts. There’s no point being shy if you have gaps in work history or if you’ve changed career direction. (I had a career gap and shared with employers what I did to learn more skills and about myself during that gap).

 Interviews are conversations, help the interviewer(s) get insights to you (to your comfort level). Do your research, read about the company’s strategy, prepare questions to ask at the interview. You need to ensure that you fit the company too so align your questions to your needs and wants. Practice, practice, practice. If you have you a friend or relative who interviews regularly, ask them to do mock interviews. Have clothing items ready for interview, if it’s online, download the relative apps in advance of interviews, ensure your surroundings are suitable and free from distractions.

 7. Momentum and tenaciousness
Finding a new job takes time. Set a pace that works for you. Are you returning to home having lived abroad, returning from caring for dependents, seeking a new career? How ready are you for the change? If you’re wanting to move from an existing role, you need to stay attentive in your current company. If you choose to work with a recruiter, find ones that are practiced and enthusiastic about you and suitable roles.

 Remember, the person most invested in your career is YOU so take charge and get going.

With the tips above, you’ve got a great foundation to build on.
Best of luck in finding your perfect job match!