7.0 tips for job searching after a long-serving role

In 2022, Her Majesty the Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service. Although she is retaining her royal seat, it’s a good time to reflect on what to do if you are suddenly job searching after a long period of time in the same role.

If you have been a long serving employee and have recently been made redundant, job searching for a new role may feel overwhelming and daunting. As the job market continues to change, you will need to be prepare yourself ahead of your next career move.

Here are 7.0 ways to help you make a successful career transition:

1. Consider your career options

If you have been long term employed, your career priorities now may be very different in comparison to the beginning of your career. Many job seekers don’t take the time to take stock and evaluate what is important to them in their career moving forward and as a result, are unsure about their future direction or lack clarity in their job search.

Before you begin your job search, are you clear on what that next role needs to look like for you? If you are not, it is important to conduct some self-analysis. What skills do you enjoy using? What are your strengths? What tasks would you like to feature in your next role? What other aspects of your career are important to you? Also consider your career priorities, whether it’s related to salary, location (or remote), or industry. Make a list of your job search criteria so you have clarity and focus when seeking your next opportunity.

2. Choose the right type of CV

Most job applications require a CV. There are a variety of CV formats to choose from in today’s job market and the one you currently have may be outdated. Your CV length should be no more than 3 pages long. It needs to demonstrate your suitability for your applications and include achievements and where you have added value and not just be a detailed account of every role you have held.

Many job seekers will have more than one CV, so it is important to use the best CV format for your career transition. A Chronological CV is great if you want to apply for similar roles where your recent experience is directly relevant to the role that you are applying for. However, if you have been long term employed and want to draw upon your earlier career history or are considering a change in direction, a Combination or Functional CV are better formats to consider.

3. Be aware of Applicant Tracking Systems

It is estimated that 60% employers and recruiters use Applicant Tracking Systems. An Applicant Tracking System is a software that provide recruiting and hiring tools for companies. These systems collect and sort thousands of CVs based on keywords and shortlists them in terms of how they meet the criteria. Therefore, it is essential that your CV is tailored and relevant to the role that you are applying for. You will need to think about the key words in the job specification and ensure they are included in your CV.

4. Online job searching

If you haven’t had to look for a new role for a significant period, you may not be familiar with online job boards. A job board is a website used by employers and recruitment agencies to advertise their job vacancies to job seekers. Job seekers can use job boards to search for new job opportunities. By using job boards, you can discover the latest opportunities that match your needs.

Most job sites have advanced searches that enable you to discover the roles you’re looking for, quickly and easily. The job criteria you can input includes keywords/job title, location, salary, job type and industry. A good starting point is a job board aggregator like www.indeed.co.uk Based on your job search criteria, it searches thousands of job boards to help you find roles of interest. Most job boards allow you to upload your CV allowing recruiters and employers to find you too!

5. Leverage your network

Make sure you are also considering alternative ways to online job searching. With over 70% of roles being secured through the hidden job market, your network may be able to help you secure your next career move. As a long-term employee, it is likely you will have a wealth of experience and contacts so make sure you are using LinkedIn!

LinkedIn is the largest business-oriented networking website geared specifically towards professionals. LinkedIn gives you the ability to showcase your profile, expertise, recommendations and connections, not only is your profile the first professional impression of you when recruiters and employers use LinkedIn to search for candidates, but it also demonstrates credibility in your industry and highlights your achievements. Many people still underestimate the importance of LinkedIn in their job search and are sometimes reluctant to embrace social media.

6. Prepare in advance for interviews

If you haven’t attended an interview for a long time, chances are you may be a little rusty. To increase your chances of securing a new role, you will need to ensure you prepare in advance of your interview. Even before you secure an interview start to consider the types of interview questions you are likely to be asked so you can start to prepare your responses.

If you have been long term employed, most hiring managers will want to know why you have chosen to stay with your current employer for a significant period. They will also want to know why you are now available for work so consider your responses now, so you are confident with your answers when it comes to future interviews.

7. Adopt a Growth Mindset

Finally, looking for a new job can take time, so try and manage your expectations and not take it personally if it takes longer than you expected. When job hunting, focus on the skills you have and what you can do, rather than looking at where you may lack experience. If you meet most of the application criteria, be confident in your abilities and make an application.

Adopting a growth mindset and accepting that not all applications will make the shortlist will help you bounce back and become more resilient during the process. Whilst rejection can leave us questioning our abilities it also presents an opportunity to grow. Look for the positives in the process and embrace any new learning as you embark on your career transition.

Renovo is the UK’s leading outplacement and career transition specialist. We work with both organisations and individuals to support all their career transition requirements. If you would like to understand how Renovo can help you, please call 0800 612 2011 or email info@renovo.co.uk