How I'd Job Hunt In Today's Competitive World
How I'd Job Hunt In Today's Competitive World
Are you a recent school leaver or graduate struggling to find your first 'proper job'? Or a parent watching your child fire off CVs only to hear nothing back? You're not alone. The job market is more competitive and complex than ever.
Here’s the game plan I’d use if I were job hunting right now:
Step 1: Clarify Your Career Direction
Before applying anywhere, get clear on your goals. Many graduates feel lost because they aren’t really clear and focused on what they are looking for. I use Morrisby profiling to help inspire and inform. It’s like a career sat nav – helping you uncover your strengths, motivators, and best-fit roles based on who you are as a person, not guesswork.
Step 2: Get Creative With Your Job Search
Don’t just scroll job boards such as Indeed or Reed. Some of the best roles aren’t advertised here. Look at some of the graduate job boards such as Bright Network, Gradcracker, or GradWorx and find job boards specialising in the sector or industry you want to work in. And also:
Attend career fairs and employer insight days
Volunteer in your area of interest
Reach out to alumni or professionals on LinkedIn
Let your network know what you’re looking for
Step 3: Build Skills Employers Love
There are countless free or low-cost ways to boost your chances and improve your CV:
Learn excel, digital skills such as AI and social media, or industry-relevant tools
Find a part-time job or a short term contract that builds skills such as communication, team work and adaptability
Do a short course to develop a relevant skill or qualification for the career path you are most interested in
Step 4: Apply Smarter, Not Harder
Quality beats quantity, every time. Sending 100+ generic CVs is less likely to deliver results than 40 tailored, thoughtful applications. When you apply:
Research the company and job role
Tailor each application/CV to mirror the language from the job advert
Be really specific about why you want the role AND why you want to work for that company and industry
Final thoughts
Your job hunt is a project and if you need additional support... I can help you navigate it. Email me to get the ball rolling: fiona@careersuccess.org.uk
I'm Fiona, a qualified career & confidence coach helping young adults launch their careers.
I fell into my first career, and stayed there for 10 years - even though it never truly suited me. By the end, I was burnt out and lacking confidence. That experience fuels my passion for helping young people find careers that genuinely align with their strengths and values.
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