Past experience has taught a lot of people that trawling through job boards and subsequently waiting for the phone to ring is the best way to approach a job search in the IT industry. But in today’s competitive market, these sorts of tactics just won’t cut it, especially if you’re out of work. So, what should you be doing with your time instead? If you’re looking for a way back into the workforce, then job searching should be your full-time job, which means opening as many avenues to success as you can.
Not only are industry events a great way to stay on top of trends and learn something new, but they can help you to expand your network and get you in front of more of the right people. And if you’re looking for something a little more informal, meetups can connect you with fellow IT professionals, employers and recruiters alike. Use Meetup and Tech Cluster sites like Canterbury Tech to find out what’s happening around you.
It’s no secret that social media is playing a growing role in the recruitment process, so it makes sense that you use it to its full potential. Start with the easy wins. Make sure your profiles are up-to-date, join and contribute to relevant groups in your industry, engage with industry leaders and connect with ex-colleagues.
The last point I wanted to touch on is organisation. When answering a call about a job, whether that’s from a recruiter or employer, one of the worst impressions you can make is not knowing or remembering the job in question. It’s an easy fix; take notes of the jobs you’ve applied for and be ready for that call.
The main takeaway from this is that job searching, especially when you’re unemployed, must be treated as a full-time job in itself. These are just a few of the things I encourage all of my IT candidates to do. If you’d like to discuss your job search in more detail, get in touch with me.
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