How to prepare for your job search

Finding a new job, no matter the circumstances (your choice, redundancy, or return to the workforce), can be stressful. So what can you do to help reduce that stress and ensure your job search runs smoothly?

In short, preparation, preparation, and more preparation. Because planning helps you anticipate various situations that may come your way and positively impacts your confidence and ability to handle those scenarios.

Here are 7 ways to prepare for your job search and stand out from the crowd.

In this guide:

1. Write your unique value proposition

Most people would assume that immediately updating their CV would be the first obvious step when preparing to look for a new job. But before you tackle this, it’s important to know how to articulate your unique value proposition.

Your unique value proposition is a short statement that sums up what you offer that no one else does to help you stand out. And once you’re clear on this, it will make writing your CV easy as pie and prepare you for those marbelising questions in the interview. You’ll never walk away from an interview saying, “oh gosh, I should’ve said x instead of y.”

A unique value proposition will help you:

Clarify how you want to position yourself and be perceived in the marketplace. It is a way for people to know what you stand for – your values, goals and mission.
Differentiate yourself from other candidates. 
Highlight your skills and what value you can offer to potential employers.

Steps to define your unique value proposition:

Understand your strengths. Ask yourself where you’ve excelled in the past. Determining what you do better than anyone else lays the foundation for your unique value proposition. Completing a free online strengths assessment helps identify your strengths..
Define your personality. Share your expertise and highlight your achievements in a way that expresses your personality. Your strengths combined with your personality traits further help to differentiate you. 
Talk about these strengths. By taking stock of your strengths and personality, you can build your unique value proposition around them. All of this builds credibility.

2. Prepare your CV

Getting your CV up to date will make the process of finding a job so much easier. Remember to write a compelling cover note to the recruiter to help you stand out. This is where a well-thought-out unique value proposition will come in handy.

Have your CV ready but be sure to tweak it to suit each job application. Keep in mind what employers are looking for in an applicant and that they have limited time to find it in your CV:

Do you have the skills required to do the job? 
Do you understand the employer's objectives and can you deliver on them?
Do you have a track record for delivering results?

Focus on your transferable skills

People rarely tick every single box (how boring would that job be if you did?). Unfortunately this means some people (often women), won’t put their hands up for roles without a 100% match-rate.

The key is don’t just list your hard skills (non-transferable) specific to your industry, such as graphic design or coding. Transferable skills are equally important. These soft skills can be applied across roles and industries, such as time management, communication and problem-solving.

Focus on your achievements

Sending a CV with a generic list of your current job responsibilities will not make you stand out. Instead, include a few specific achievements. Make it easy to see what makes you different (and bankable) from the other individuals applying for the position.

CV checklist

Be sure to proofread your CV. A spelling mistake can be all it takes to knock you off the list of potential candidates.

Check your contact information is up to date. 
List your employment history in reverse chronological order.
If possible, try to keep your CV to 2 pages.

3. Get your profiles in order

That includes any online portfolios, such as dribble and github.

A recruiter or potential employer may check out your social media accounts when your CV lands on their desk. So make sure your Facebook, Instagram or TikTok accounts don’t have any unprofessional or embarrassing content (or they’re private). Get your LinkedIn profile up to date and consistent with your CV.  

4. Do your homework

Research the industry and company.

Employers want to know that you care about and understand the company’s reason for being, so be sure to do your research and go into an interview armed with an opinion. Check their website and recent ad campaigns, and look at their competitors.

If you’re looking for a workplace with aligned values, this early company research will ensure you don’t waste time interviewing for roles that aren’t a match.

Know why you want the job.

Understanding the company’s mission will also help you articulate why you want the job, which will resonate strongly with an employer and differentiate you from other candidates. What interests you about the job and what skills does it require that you possess? Your interest and excitement need to shine through. To learn more, read common phone interview questions and tips to impress.

5. Know what you want

Being clear on what you want from the job and your non-negotiables before you get into the interview process will help ensure you find the right fit long-term. For example, do your due diligence on market-related salary packages. Having a clear idea of what you want to earn is good, but your expectation should be objective and reasonable.

6. Have your references ready

Ask colleagues and former managers for references in advance or ask them if they’d be prepared to give a reference if called by a recruiter or potential employer. Also, make sure you have their latest mobile numbers and email addresses. That way, you have a list ready to send on request. 

7. Complete last-minute checks before you click submit on that job application

Make sure you: 

Use a personal email address, not your current work address.
Check that your voicemail message sounds professional (and remember to check it regularly in case anyone has left a message).
Check that your WhatsApp status is appropriate.

Job searching, the application process and interviews can be an emotional rollercoaster. Those rejection letters may be inevitable before the ‘right’ job comes along. That’s why it’s important not to take it personally and to roll with the punches. Keeping things in perspective is key.

After all, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. And it’s a two-way street – remember this is as much about you finding the perfect role as it is the hiring manager finding the ideal candidate.