Even taking two steps forward and one step back is progress. How can we know if we’re getting closer to our goal?
There’s a well-trodden path towards finding work. It feels like a slog but if we follow the routemap, we’ll know we’re getting somewhere. It’s all about hitting the little milestones along the way.
Milestone 1: Know Your Goal
Before diving into the job market, we should take a moment to think about the kind of role we want. It’s not about applying for everything, it’s about being smart. We should ask: ‘What kind of work excites me? What am I good at? And what jobs will pay me enough to support my lifestyle?’ Once we’ve figured out our target job, we can build your action plan around it. (For more on setting job goals, see [Hedgehogs])
Milestone 2: Employer Research
Now we know the job we want, it’s time to do a little research. Who’s hiring? What kind of employers are looking for the skills we have or can develop? Look up job listings, read company reviews, and make a list of potential employers. Dig into the details… what do employees in this role actually do day to day? What qualifications or skills do they need? Download the job description from a job ad, for example, or ask around. We can even ask ChatGPT. This will give us a clear idea of what to aim for and help us tailor our approach.
Milestone 3: Upskill with Free Training
No job requires us to know everything from day one. We can take advantage of free online courses that might boost our chances or at least give us something to talk about at interview. Websites like FutureLearn, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning offer free training in a range of skills that will look great on your CV. Whether it’s improving our digital skills or learning a new software, use the resources available to stand out as a candidate.
Milestone 4: Write a Winning CV
Once we’ve got our goal in mind, it’s time to write our CV. We shouldn’t just list what we’ve done. Employers see hundreds of CVs and most all look the same. We have to show how we’re a great fit for the job. Listing the experience and skills we have that match to the job descriptions we’ve researched is a must. Highlighting our strengths and future goals and helps show why we’re the best person for the role. Make it clear, simple, and focused on the job you want.
Milestone 5: Take Action and Stay on Track
Write down these milestones and treat them as a roadmap. We can also break these five steps down into smaller markers to achieve. For example, ‘Apply for one job a week’, ‘complete one online course’, or ‘update my CV every month’.
Celebrate the small wins and keep your eyes on the prize. It’s not just about getting the job. It’s about taking the right steps towards the job that fits best with what we can and want to do.
Focus, stay organised, and most importantly, keep going!
Images: ChatGPT/Steve Faragher
