Top tips for job hunting in the UK: how to land your next career move
LOOKING for a new job? Then this is the best week of the year to find one.
With most employers asking for at least a month’s notice, starting your job search this week means you’ll be ready to hand in your notice and begin a new role fresh for the new year.
Discover thousands of open UK job vacancies now on The Sun Job Board
Stuck for ideas on where to apply? Check out these exciting new openings which have just gone live!
Ready to apply? Here are the tip five tips from Sun Jobs to help you land your next career move.
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Target and tailor your application
AI and online applications make it quick and easy to fire off applications for dozens of jobs in a day - but that isn’t the best way to land a new role.
Instead, take the time to target the roles you really want and then tailor your application to the job description.
You may have to edit your CV but include keywords from the job description and make sure you match your skills to those the recruiter is looking for.
Doing this every time will also help you reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses and what is the best job fit for you.
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Research the company
Every organisation is different and even companies in the same sector operate in different ways.
Before you apply - and again before the interview - find out as much as you can about the firm’s values, culture and work/life balance.
Take a look at the company website, social media and LinkedIn profiles.
You can check our employment review sites like Glassdoor and RateMyApprenticeship to get feedback from real employees too.
Being well-informed helps you make better decisions.
Build your personal brand
Just like a company has a brand, you have your own brand too.
Consider these questions: What do you stand for? What do you love doing at work – and what not so much? What is your career goal? Why should a company hire you?
Use your CV, social media and LinkedIn profile to show your best side to hiring managers.
They will likely check out all of them before making a job offer.
Practice makes perfect
Before you go to your interview, run through the questions you are most likely to be asked. These can include:
- Why do you want this job?
- Why do you think you are a good fit for the role and this company?
- Give me an example of when you improved a situation at work?
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
You can find lots of other examples online. Prepare some answers which highlight your achievements and it will help you feel more comfortable in the interview.
You may want to come up with a couple of questions to ask the interviewer as well.
Follow up
Following up after the interview with a thank you email will help you stand out to the interviewer.
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Not only is it good manners, it gives you the chance to reiterate how much you want the job and why you believe you are the right person for the role. Keep it brief but polite.