Handy tips of landing that dream position

IF you’re feeling in a rut at work, the beginning of a new year is a great time to begin the hunt for a new job.

Here are five steps you can take to land the job of your dreams:

1. Clean up your CV and professional profiles

If you’re serious about getting a new job, begin by thinking about your personal brand and how you will position yourself in the market. Make sure that your CV is concise and professional. It’s a good idea, when you start applying for jobs to tailor your CV for each application to show why you’d be a good fit for the role.

Ensure that your most important experience and qualifications stand out. 2. Do your homework Spend some time thinking about what you’d like to do in your next job, and do some research about the opportunities that fit.

Is there a demand for the skills you can offer?

Which companies are hiring?

What company has the sort of working environment in which you aspire to work?

Some internet research can be quite revealing.

If you have any contacts in the organisations that you are interested in, speak to them.

3. Get out there and let people know you re looking

Once you’ve prepared your CV start letting people know you re on the job market. It’s a good idea to sign up with an online career portal such as Sage SkillsMap for updates on the latest jobs and make your CV searchable for recruiters. Keep your personal details hidden if you don’t want your boss to know that you’re job hunting.

Inform those trusted people in your professional network about your need for a change.

4. Don t let rejection get you down

It’s painful to hear that the job went to someone else after you thought the interview went so well. But remember that rejection is a part of job hunting.

If you get no replies or outright rejection, you should ask why. Is it because you re not effectively communicating your skills and experience?

If you get as far as a first or second interview, you may politely ask for feedback about why you weren t chosen. You can often learn something to impress the next person who interviews you. 5. Ace the interview When you get an interview opportunity:

Walk in prepared: That means thinking through some of the questions the interviewer may ask and preparing the answers.

Be ready to ask some questions of your own to demonstrate your interest in the job.

On the day, be sure that you’re neatly and appropriately dressed.

Make sure you know your route to the interview and arrive on time.