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Recruitment can be a tedious process for both the company and the candidate. Here are a couple of things that you as the candidate can do to bring some clarity and transparency to the process from the outset. Before embarking on your job search whether you are unemployed and frantically searching for an immediate position or whether you are preparing for the next step in your career, you need to implement a plan. This might sound like cliché rhetoric, but what does this mean? What are you supposed to plan? Here it is:

If employed, why are you wanting to make a move?

As a recruitment consultant, I cannot tell you how many times a day when I ask the question “why are you looking to make a move” I hear “… for a growth opportunity.” This in essence means nothing, to no one – of course, you are looking to grow or to move forward from the position you are in now. Rather level with the consultant and outline the reasons that have prompted you to be active in the market. Think about yourself, your situation, and WHY YOU are wanting to make a move? Here are a few scenarios that might suit your situation:

  • The position that you have been in for the last 3 + years feels stagnated and there is no management or career progression opportunity to explore.
  • The tech environment that you are working in is outdated and you have learned as much as you can. You are ready to make a move to flex your tech muscle.
  • You are in a contracting position and are looking for a permanent role that you can invest your skills and become an asset to a company.
  • You have explored as much as you can with the current position over the last 4 + years and you are looking for the next natural step in your career, as a management position.
  • You are being underpaid for the amount of input, skills, and time you are investing into the role and you would like to explore an opportunity that is equal in both pay, skills and qualifications, and work ratio.

There are many reasons why you would want to leave your current employment, take the time to look inwards at your situation and figure out what it is that you want. This makes it clear to the consultant what it is that you are looking for.

Do plan what you want your salary to look like.

Before embarking on your job search – employed or unemployed! Work out the Total Cost to Company that is going to make sense for you to move, what is right for the natural next step to suit your living situation (within reason).

Do plan your Duties and Responsibilities.

Do not underestimate the power of Duties and Responsibilities, this is an important step, if not the most important step. This is going to reflect your role in the business and your capability of doing the position that you have applied for. Your duties and responsibilities should tell the reader exactly what applications, frameworks, tools, and coding languages you are working with and how you are using them in your average workday.

DO NOT slag off your previous employer.

This is a professional tip – refrain from venting about your previous employer, no matter how tempting it may be, the recruiter will always ask themselves what you did to cause this kind of animosity and turbulent environment.