Searching for a job is often stressful; dreaded by many, and only relished by the most prepared and search savvy, it’s a time of considerable tension. To help you join the ranks of the well prepared, we thought we’d put together this guide on developing a job search plan. With a good plan in place, you’ll be able to find the right job quicker, with less stress and more success.
Explore what your ideal job looks like
Whilst finding your ‘ideal’ job might be a tall order, having a good idea of what it looks like will help to inform your job search. When it comes to looking for a new sales job it’s a good idea to ask yourself the following questions: What type of company do you want to work for? Are you keen to work for a start-up or would you prefer to work for an established corporation? Is there an industry or niche that you’d like to concentrate on? Do you want to work for a company with prospects for promotion to management, or are you hoping to be in the field with a good commission structure? It’s also worth considering the type of company culture that you prefer. Try thinking about the different organisations that you’ve worked for and explore which you’ve preferred working for and why. This is a good indicator of the type of culture that you prefer. By asking yourself the right questions now, you’ll have a better chance of finding a job that inspires you to achieve your goals.
Update your CV and LinkedIn profile
Readying your CV and LinkedIn profile is an important first step in your job search. In an ideal world it’s best to keep these updated regularly, but life frequently gets in the way. Start by making your CV and LinkedIn profile reflect the ‘ideal’ job that you’re looking for. Demonstrate your experience, and show why you’d be a good fit for the type of company and job role that you’re aiming for. As a salesperson, the best way to demonstrate your abilities is to use recent sales figures and pertinent milestones. Numbers are clear and make it easy for a sales manager to see how you would make a difference to their organisation.
In addition to updating your experience, it’s also important to supercharge your LinkedIn profile with endorsements and recommendations from past and current colleagues. The best way to get these is to ask for them. Get in touch with colleagues that will be able to make an honest and useful recommendation that will help your job search. Employers take heed from others’ comments, and recommendations can be incredibly useful when trying to find a new job.
The final pointer to make about your LinkedIn and CV is to ensure that they are SEO friendly. It’s essential that you include keywords that recruiters might be searching for. This will help recruiters, employers and Applicant Tracking Systems to ‘find’ you. To work out which words to include, look at the essential criteria amongst job descriptions that pique your interest. This will ensure that your CV and LinkedIn profile is ‘searchable’.
Carry out a social media audit
Before you start your job search in earnest, it’s important that you complete a social media audit. Start by opening a private browser and then Google yourself. What would recruiters and employers see if they ran a social media check on your name? Tweak your social media privacy settings to ensure that recruiters only see your professional social media profiles such as your LinkedIn, and Google + accounts. Ideally recruiters will be presented with content that shows you in a positive light.
Start mentally preparing
Changing jobs is a big deal; it’s not every day that you stop and think about what you’ve achieved over the course of your career, or what your strengths and weaknesses are. Starting a new job search is a great time to take stock. Mentally prepare yourself for what lies ahead by creating your elevator pitch and practicing it regularly. Your elevator pitch should be a brief, persuasive speech that you can use to spark interest in your skills as a salesperson. In this instance it should include an insight into the type of role or industry that you’re looking for, along with some supporting sales figures. Creating an elevator pitch will help to foster a positive mind-set that will encourage confidence and keep you motivated in your job search. It will also put you in good stead should you be called in for a last min interview!
If you’re looking for a new position within the Sales sector, or need to hire a Sales professional, then get in touch: