Your job search compass

Your strengths

By this I mean the things you’re good at, and that you enjoy. These are the things that strengthen you. This is about getting clear on the value you bring an employer. Employers need good people. What will you bring? For example, hard skills and experience such as IT, writing, coding, experience in local government; and soft skills such as adaptability, collaboration, innovation.

Your checklist of ‘career satisfaction criteria’

Think of this like your central deal breakers. Without these things, the job is probably not sustainable. Aim for a list of 10 max. For example, salary of $x, leadership, hands-on making stuff, flexibility. Get fairly specific and use this list to evaluate potential opportunities.

Industries of interest

Write down the sectors or organisations of interest. This could help you directly approach organisations. For example – Health, Hospitality, Education. Or you could narrow it down much further. E.g. solar power home installation companies, or all the law firms in Cambridge. You could also include specific organisations you want to target.

Possible job titles

This is important. It could help you head up and customise your CV and it’ll help give your language when you are reaching out to your network and recruiters. They’ll ask you “What are you looking for?” It helps if you’ve got a few answers. If you have no idea, try doing some window shopping on Seek – note down the job titles that resonate with you.

How well do your skills and experience match job requirements and how could you fill gaps?

If you don’t know, consider how you could find out more – e.g. ask your network for ideas or introductions of people you could talk to. ‘Coffee meetings’; or other such short chats can be a great way to learn more and make connections, or search for information online, job sites, company sites, professional associations, and connect with recruiters. There’s heaps of good info online e.g. here are a couple of starter suggestions:

https://www.careers.govt.nz/

https://occupationoutlook.mbie.govt.nz/

https://www.mynextmove.org/

Who’s in your network?

Try to think widely – who do you know and who might those people know? Or if you are motivated, cold calling can be very effective. It’s a numbers game – people are often happy to give their advice and to talk to enthusiastic people who are interested in them and their work.

What’s your WHY?

Apart from money (and I know that’s important for most of us), what do you aim to contribute? What difference do you want to make? For more inspiration visit Simon Sinek’s website: https://simonsinek.com/