How to move into a new job in 2020

It’s almost time to bid 2019 farewell and usher in 2020. The new year brings with it fresh opportunities and the chance to embark on a new journey. If you’re thinking of moving into a new job in 2020, here’s a handy guide to help you out as you make this important career move.

Fail to plan, plan to fail

Before even starting your job search, take a step back and think about a few key questions:

At the end of the year, where do I want to be in my career?
What are my short-term and long-term career goals?
What is my dream job?
What is the ideal working environment that I want to be in?
What is my dream company?

Be as specific as possible when doing this reflection exercise. You’ll want to drill down to the type of roles and companies that you would be applying to later on. This will prevent you from mass applying to all roles that remotely resembles your dream job. It also makes your job search easier as you’ll know what you’ll be looking for.

After you’ve organised your thoughts, it’s time to draft out a plan and the action steps you will take. Figure out the key tasks that you’ll need to complete and by when you will need to get it done. Still unsure of what to do next? Follow the next few steps to get a clearer picture of what you should be doing to ensure a successful career move.

Craft your story

Pull out your resume and online profiles. Have they been updated with the details of your current role? Review your resume to ensure that it reflects your experience and achievements, in line with the requirements of the role that you will be applying to. Think about transferable skills that you will be able to highlight and bring into your next role. All these details will translate into your personal brand, so you have to put your best foot forward!

It doesn’t hurt to be well-prepared. Adapt and prepare different versions of your resume and cover letter according to the types of roles that you will apply to. You’ll want to have the relevant resume ready so that you can easily share it when you see a role that you’re keen on.

You might also want to consider boosting your online presence and brand. LinkedIn is a great channel for you to share your opinions and expertise to your network. By writing and posting an article related to your industry/role, you might be able to reach out to a greater number of people, including recruiters! Try posting a few times a week at the start. Through this, you’ll be showing potential recruiters and hiring managers that you have a great understanding of the space you’re in.

Verbalise your intentions

Things often don’t seem real until you’ve shared them with someone. Reach out to your personal network and speak to someone you trust about the career move you intend to make. It’ll be useful to get feedback and opinions from people you’ve worked with in the past and those who know you well. If you have a mentor, do share with them your intentions. You might be able to gain better clarity on the career path you’ve chosen and where you want to be at the end of 2020.

By verbalising your intentions, it will also push you to stick to making a career move. It’s all too easy to talk yourself out of doing it and remain in your current role.

Start your search

Research the relevant channels that you will utilise in your job search. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

Referrals
LinkedIn
Job boards
Company website
Recruitment firms

You’ll now move into the active phase of your job search. Begin applying to opportunities through the channels that you’ve identified earlier. Remember to stick to the types of roles and companies that fit into the career path you want to be on. Refrain from mass applying and sending in generic applications as recruiters are more likely to pass on your profile.

Forge the right connections

Start by initiating conversations within your network. Let them know that you’re keen on exploring new opportunities and see if they can point you in the direction of someone who can help. Referrals are a good way to get your profile noticed by companies as your application is more likely to end up in the hands of a key decision-maker.

However, ensure that you work your way up to having more in-depth conversations. Some people may not like it if you push them to refer you for a role or be asked if they know someone who can help in the first 15 minutes of the conversation. Pick and choose your moments!

Another useful way to boost your chances of finding a new job is by connecting to recruiters who specialise in your industry or function. Ask amongst your friends and family if they’ve worked with a recruiter that they trust and like. You can also visit the recruitment firm’s website to browse through available jobs and get in touch with the recruiter managing the jobs you’re interested in. A good recruiter will work with you by asking about your career aspirations and introduce you to opportunities that you may not have considered or come across through your search.

Keep your head up

The job search process can sometimes be a tedious and long process. You may not see immediate results and get your dream job at the first try. It’s important to keep your head up and not lose focus during this process. As you go along, it helps to keep an open mind. Don’t pass up on opportunities because you never know what it may lead to. With a determined and positive attitude, together with a bit of hard work, you’ll be sure to move into an amazing job in 2020!