How to Find and Get Yourself a Better Job Than the One You Have Now

Many people job hunt sideways; finding roles which they are qualified for but are pretty much the same as what they have now, for fear of being stuck in the same job for a long time. This is partly due to the fact that job hunting itself can be a minefield, with so many search engines and different jobs on offer; it can be tricky to know how you can land yourself a better job than you have.

With the ease of whizzing off a bunch of C.V.s in one day, it can be tempting to go for quality over quality, and think we are doing ourselves a favour. But with these seven steps, you can find a better job than you have now without wasting time finding jobs that just aren’t right for you.

When searching for a new job, it can be tempting to apply for anything we think “might be okay” or that we have a shot at getting. However, if you truly want a better job than you have now, it’s all about quality, not quantity. Rather than spending your time searching for more jobs and applying to as many as you can, instead spend it finding jobs which you really want and planning out your application. By reading through the person specification, editing and proofreading your application, you have much more of a chance of bagging a job you really want rather than being caught in another job which just isn’t right for you.

If you are struggling to find the job you want, it might be worth rethinking your job-hunting technique. Asking a friend or family member to read through your C.V. can help you pinpoint what might be missing, or having a look online for example C.Vs in the sector you are looking to get into. If you have been to interviews previously, then asking for feedback is always a great idea, so you can see what you might need to improve on for next time.

There are so many job search websites nowadays, it can be tempting to only use them to find your next career adventure. However, if you are aware of a company with a great reputation or have a place in mind you’ve always wanted to work for; it’s well worth staying up to date with the job listings on their website. If you aren’t sure which companies have good reputations, check out reviews online and research the best work opportunities. If you have a friend or family member who is in the line of work you are looking to get into, it can’t hurt to ask them to let you know of any opportunities (and put in a good word if possible!).

Preparing for the interview will of course mean also preparing for those tricky interview questions. The more prepared you feel, the more confident you’ll be, and more likely you’ll be to ace the interview! But how do you know what questions they’ll ask? Well, it does depend on the job your are going for to some extent, however according to The Muse, some of the most common questions they ask in interviews are: “tell me about yourself?”, “what do you know about the company?” and “why do you want this job?”. Doing your research on the company and being able to sum up why you want the job, therefore, will likely stand you in good stead. Not to mention tackling the inevitable “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” question!

Sometimes it’s the smallest things which count the most, and when It comes to the interview, making sure you look the part can help a lot with first impressions. It isn’t about getting the best suit or cutting your hair to look professional but finding something that suits the role you have applied for whilst feeling comfortable. Make sure your hair, clothing and any makeup is neat and tidy, and try to avoid bold patterns and colours. However, this does very much depend on the role you are applying for. When it comes to artistic, design or alternative jobs, having a unique style might be what they are looking for!