Job Hunting Advice – the five steps

Senex Recruitment’s Ultimate Guide to Job Searching

Job Hunting is our profession! Senex Recruitment through years of dedication to the recruitment sector has developed an astute understanding of the intricacies of the job search. It must be said that a single blog cannot cover all the nuances of job hunting. However, through our regular updates here on our blog we will cover specific topics in more detail. So, do not forget to sign up to our blog or follow our Social Media channels on your favourite social media, we are on most of them! You will get Job Hunting advice, UK Business and STEM news all focused on helping you accelerate your career.

In today’s article we thought we would have a look at the big picture of recruiting and analyse the five key stage of a job hunt. Giving some tips and job hunting advice for each of them. By looking at each stage it can help you plan where to focus your job searching energies.

Therefore, whether you’ve just had that moment of wanting something more in your career or you’re already knee-deep in job search mode, Senex Recruitment is here to guide you through you job hunt.

Job hunting is a journey, and like any good journey, you’ve got to have a map. So, let’s break it down—Step by Step.

Step1: Calibration – Time to Get Focused

This is the “hold up, let’s take a breather” stage. Before you go sending  CVs left, right, and centre, take a moment. Ask yourself some important questions:

• What are my career goals?
• What sort of company do I want to work for?
• If I am going to change jobs or find my first job, what type of work do I want to do
• Are my expectations over salary, work set up (WFH/Hybrid) realistic in the current market

It’s all about figuring out what makes you happy at work and what you need to fund/manager your home life.

There are several ways to explore whether your expectations are realistic. First, start by looking online for data about the job market. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is likely your best source for up-to-date information, though keep in mind it may be a month or two behind and is generally broad in nature. Some job boards, like Adzuna, also offer salary analytics, which can be quite accurate.

Next, consider talking to friends, family, and trustworthy colleagues. Get their honest take on your experience and abilities. You could even ask them where they think your career could be heading. Their outside perspective can be incredibly valuable.

Also, make a list of pro and cons of moving, if the pros outweigh the cons it is time to move. If the issues with your current company can be resolved now is the time to address them. Do not use the recruitment process to levy a better salary or opportunity from your current company. It creates animosity both at your current employer and also with other companies that you may potential in the future want to work with.

Finally, reach out to a Recruitment Consultant in your sector. Have an open discussion about your experiences and goals. This is not only helpful for gauging where you stand but also an excellent way to see if the consultant is someone, you’d have confidence working with. Hint in STEM it would be Senex Recruitment!

 Step 2: Personal Branding 

Alright, time to polish that personal brand, which is now the fashionable way of saying write your CV! However, you need to think of more than your CV, such as your LinkedIn profile Make sure they’re:

• Keyword / Phrase optimized however do not tailor CV’s. A tweak to emphasise a skills set is valid. Rewriting or semi-fabricating experience to get an interview is misleading. The word tailored is banned in the Senex Recruitment office. You can find advice from Senex Recruitment on CV writing here.
• Have an email submission drafted; however, we are sceptical about cover letters. They are not necessary unless requested.
• Application Tracking Systems (ATS) are a myth, in the sense they are used to remove candidates that obviously cannot work at a business. I.E. Cannot work in the country. Therefore, If applying via ATS ensure you accurately select the right tick boxes.
• Consistent. Your LinkedIn profile should reflect your CV. You can read our article about avoid mistakes and get a great LinkedIn profile here.
• And don't forget your social media. Employers will be checking, so make sure you’re putting your best (and most professional) foot forward.

Step 3: The actual Hunt

Now comes the fun part: the job search itself! But instead of frantically scrolling through every job board out there, let’s get strategic. You only need a few high-quality sources to start with. Here’s our two cents:

• Focus on 2-3 job boards, tops. Don’t spend hours on end trawling; be smart with your time!
• Head-hunters and Recruiters are the gatekeepers of the hidden job market, so don’t overlook them. Register and establish a relationship with your recruiter such as Senex Recruitment.
• Your network (LinkedIn!) is gold. Reach out to connections who can put you in front of the right hiring managers. Keep an eye on posts from recruiters and employers. Not everyone utilises LinkedIn jobs and rather posts job updates.
• Keep a log of applications, sound confident, open and assertive when you are contacted about a role.
• Follow up, it is good to be persistent, however from experience things can take time. So, judge the situation. Over chasing can appear pushy and will be off putting.
• With all things job hunting, have empathy. It is important to understand what the company, recruiter or line manager are looking for. This is a key part of the job hunt. If you can understand what is required in a job you can then effectively “sell” the right part of your skill set to the business.

Remember, job hunting isn’t a sprint—it’s more like a marathon.

Step 4; The Interview

You’ve got the interview! Now’s when your prep game needs to be on point. Here’s what you do:

• Research the company like you’re about to write a Netflix documentary on them. Know their products, values, and latest news.
• Practice your answers to likely questions—and throw in some questions of your own.
• Empathy, again. Think about what the interviewer is really looking for. For example the question “Why are you looking for a job “is not what it seems, what they are asking  is “What is it about THIS JOB that is attractive to you and why would excel in the role”.
• Get feedback! If you bomb an interview (hey, it happens), use it as a learning opportunity and ask what you could improve.

Oh, and don’t stress. You’ve got this. Remember,  Senex Recruitment’s offers interview advice and more on our news and insights page. This article on STAR interview technique will be especially useful.

Step 5: The job offer

It may seem that once you have a job offer that is it, the job hunt is over. However, receiving job offers can be both exciting and stressful, especially if you're fortunate enough to receive multiple offers at once. Now is the time to refer yourself back to step one. What was important to you when you started this job hunt.

The first step is to take a deep breath and carefully evaluate each offer reach for those notes you made at the start. You can now consider factors beyond salary, such as company culture, work-life balance, benefits, and growth opportunities. All of these you will have discussed in step four. Think about your long-term career goals and which position aligns best with them. It’s important to ask questions and clarify any uncertainties before deciding.

When faced with multiple offers, it’s crucial to be honest but professional with each employer. If you need more time to decide, politely request it, and be transparent about your situation without oversharing. Remember, this is your decision to make, so prioritize what matters most to you—whether it’s the role itself, location, or the people you’ll be working with. Ultimately, the goal is to choose the job that best suits your career path and personal happiness.

Job Hunting advice Wrap-Up

There you have it—the five stages of your job search puzzle. It’s not about rushing to the finish line; it’s about pacing yourself and being smart with every move you make.

At Senex Recruitment, we believe finding your dream job should be as smooth and stress-free as possible. So go ahead, take that first step—and remember, if you need, we’re just a phone call (or email) away!

Happy job hunting!

We hope you found our job hunting advice useful and Senex Recruitment is here to help you at every step

We have tried to be as impartial as possible but we would like to remind you that our consultants are always happy to support you in job search and will offer insightful job hunting advice to improve your job search process.

Remember as a candidate when using a recruitment consultancy there is no cost for any of our services. This is a legal requirement. So do not hesitate to contact us for careers advice and to instruct us to start a tailored proactive job search on your behalf.

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