Use this New Year to Plan for Your New Job

Here at Douglas Scott Legal Recruitment, a New Year means new opportunities for people to find new and exciting roles.  

A New Year can act as a brand-new start, and it’s best to start getting prepared if you’re looking for a new role. Even if you might be thinking of moving later in the year, or not even thinking about moving at all, it is always best to be prepared so that if the need does arise, you are ready to dive straight in and find that perfect role before anyone else.  

One of the first things to remember is that finding something you want to do is crucial, not just something you can do. There’s no point in moving roles if it’s not something you want to do, as you’ll want to move again! It’s essential to make sure you know what you are moving for, and an excellent way to do this is by asking yourself three questions:  

1. What do I enjoy doing?
2. What kind of environment do I want to work in?  
3. What kind of interactions do I want to have at work?  

By answering these questions, you may have a clearer idea of what kind of work you find value in, and you can then align your search to it. Another thing you can do is to update your CV. Keeping your CV updated constantly allows you to reflect on everything you have done accurately, and you can also use it to show the skills you might need to display in your future roles. Look at job adverts for the roles you are looking to apply for and what skills they are looking for. If you have some of these skills, include them in your CV. This will help you to stand out when you apply for them.  

Once you have updated your CV, preparing for some common interview questions would be worthwhile. Of course, you don’t want to overprepare for these questions and sound like a robot, but just thinking about what you might say will allow you to be ahead should you find yourself in an interview situation. Try to tailor these to the skills you want to demonstrate, if possible, to show your suitability for this role. It’s also worth looking through your existing network to see if any people can help you with your search. Connections are a great way to do this. Ultimately, it’s best to prepare yourself for a long search. The market is fiercely competitive, and it’s essential to remain positive while searching for a new role. Recruiters will pick up on negativity, so setting easy-to-accomplish goals and time for self-care is very important while you search.   

A New Year can be a great time to organise yourself for the year ahead. Even if you aren’t planning to look for a new role, it’s hard to say what might happen going forward, and it is vital to be prepared for anything that may come your way. Just taking a little time to plan for a new job allows you to prepare for the year ahead, no matter what happens this year.