I want a new job, where do I start?
Words by Emma Pratt, careers coach at NABS.
So, you’re thinking that it may be time for a change. Time to move on, step up and advance your career. You may have had a great two, five, ten years with your current employer, learnt a lot, worked with talented people and advanced through the ranks but are just feeling it’s time for a new challenge or a fresh start. Or, perhaps you are feeling stuck in your current role, desperately wanting to move forwards but the opportunity just doesn’t seem to be there.
Either way, you want a new job, but where do you start looking and how do you know if the job will be right for you?
These are very common questions and concerns for anyone who is considering a move. Making a change involves moving away from what is comfortable and familiar and taking a chance by stepping into the seemingly unknown. Scary stuff, but there are ways to make the process easier and a lot more reassuring.Here are NABS career coaches’ top five tips to find the role that’s right for you.
How to find a role that’s right for you
1.What’s your brand?
Knowing what you can offer your new employer is as important as what they can offer you, and more importantly what you can offer that others can’t? Think about what’s special and unique about you, how you add value and how this relates to the role you’re applying for. What’s more, how do you want to be perceived by others? What professional achievements will make you stand out and excel in your new job?
2. What are your skills and strengths?
Identifying your particular skills and strengths will help you recognise what you have to offer an employer and where you can add value. We all have a range of skills and strengths but to flourish, think about which of these you actually like using and which come naturally to you, so you can build on them and play to your strengths. Also, it’s all well and good to know what you’re good at, but being aware of a skills gap is important too and may be something that needs addressing before moving on.
3. What are your values?
Values define who we are, our beliefs, how we live our lives and what is and isn’t important to us. We can feel out of kilter and disconnected if we are not living by our values and this can jar enormously if we are in an environment or a role which doesn’t fit with our own value system. So, what are your values? How can you ensure you are living by them in the workplace? Do they fit with the company you are interested in working for?
4. What do you want from your next move?
What is your goal for wanting to move? What do you want to achieve? Is it more responsibility, a faster track to promotion or the opportunity to work with industry experts or world famous brands? Being specific about what you want from your next role will help you know whether or not it’s the right job for you.
5. What sort of company do you want to work for?
Company cultures can vary enormously so thinking about the type of environment you want to work in is really important when considering a move. Does a big or small agency suit you better? What are the people like? What’s the style of working? What are the company’s ethics and what does it stand for? These are all important questions to ensure a good fit between you and your employer.
Now that I know what job I want, where do I find it?
Now you’re clear about the opportunities you want your new role to offer, how it’ll be a good fit for you, what you can offer an employer as well as identifying the type of company you’d like to work for, where on earth do you find this dream job…? Well, it’s not as difficult as you might think. There are lots of things you can do to get your job hunt rolling. Make sure your social media profiles are up to date, speak to recruiters in your field of interest and why not try NABS’ new free service, The NABS Jobs Board. Here you’ll find all the best and latest vacancies from across the advertising and media industry. Simply visit our website and click on the JobsBoard to apply directly for a role at some of the best known and greatest advertising and media companies in town.
Or, if you feel you need more guidance and support before taking the leap into a new role then book a 1-to-1 career coaching session at NABS, which can be tailored to suit your individual needs.