Update your skills
If possible, you should try to determine if some of your essential job skills require updating and then aim to undertake a refresher course or some re-training. Being aware of any advancements in your specific job area or market sector and endeavouring to keep abreast of them will certainly impress any prospective employer. Whilst some time may have passed since you last worked in a particular field, ensuring that your skills are up to date will help improve your marketability to any employer.
Refresh your CV
The CV you present to an employer should certainly be updated. Don't leave the gap since you last worked unexplained. Even if you only write a couple of lines, clarifying what you have been doing, it will be beneficial. Make sure that your CV details the most relevant skills and the most relevant experience for whatever job you have applied for. Tailor your CV to suit. Don't simply create one CV and expect that to fit the bill on all counts. The job market is extremely competitive and you need to step up to that competition. Remove any outdated terminology or references. It is often suggested too that removing certain dates on your CV such as your date of birth, or perhaps the dates you obtained certain qualifications can help ensure that you are not the victim of any unfortunate and illegal age discrimination.
Define what you want now
If you have been out of employment for a while, there is of course the possibility that you may no longer want to return to your previous career choice or that you want to change career direction entirely. Before beginning your job search in earnest, spend some time evaluating exactly what it is that you want to do. Identify your key transferable skills and highlight on your CV those which would be most relevant and sought after by prospective employers in other areas. Make sure too that you clearly advise any recruitment agencies of your new career intentions so that you aren't pigeon-holed into areas that no longer interest you.
Use Connections
It may be a cliché but it is still often true - it's not what you know, it's who you know. Don't underestimate the power of reconnecting
with former work colleagues or employers. Use social networks like LinkedIn to start networking with them and let them know you are looking for a new job. New opportunities could come your way, and recommendations that couldIf possible, you should try to determine if some of your essential job skills require updating and then aim to undertake a refresher course or some re-training. Being aware of any advancements in your specific job area or market sector and endeavouring to keep abreast of them will certainly impress any prospective employer. Whilst some time may have passed since you last worked in a particular field, ensuring that your skills are up to date will help improve your marketability to any employer.
Refresh your CV
The CV you present to an employer should certainly be updated. Don't leave the gap since you last worked unexplained. Even if you only write a couple of lines, clarifying what you have been doing, it will be beneficial. Make sure that your CV details the most relevant skills and the most relevant experience for whatever job you have applied for. Tailor your CV to suit. Don't simply create one CV and expect that to fit the bill on all counts. The job market is extremely competitive and you need to step up to that competition. Remove any outdated terminology or references. It is often suggested too that removing certain dates on your CV such as your date of birth, or perhaps the dates you obtained certain qualifications can help ensure that you are not the victim of any unfortunate and illegal age discrimination.
Define what you want now
If you have been out of employment for a while, there is of course the possibility that you may no longer want to return to your previous career choice or that you want to change career direction entirely. Before beginning your job search in earnest, spend some time evaluating exactly what it is that you want to do. Identify your key transferable skills and highlight on your CV those which would be most relevant and sought after by prospective employers in other areas. Make sure too that you clearly advise any recruitment agencies of your new career intentions so that you aren't pigeon-holed into areas that no longer interest you.
Use Connections
It may be a cliché but it is still often true - it's not what you know, it's who you know. Don't underestimate the power of reconnecting
By Alastair Cameron
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