Firstly, don’t panic! You are not alone, nor the first or the last person to find themselves out of work.

The average Briton spends 42.5 hours of their week working. When that time suddenly comes to a close it’s not just a pay packet you’re losing, it’s a sense of purpose, routine, colleagues and for many of us, our sense of identity.

These feelings of uncertainty can be especially poignant if you’re fresh to the job market having been in a secure role for a number of years. It’s perfectly natural to mourn the loss. Take a moment to grieve and then flip the script; this is an opportunity for a fresh new start.

Like all skills, you use them or lose them and job searching is no different. This guide is intended for people who have been plunged back into the deep end of the job market and don’t know where to start. We’ve endeavoured to fill it with straightforward no nonsense advice that’s obvious when you know how, peppered with tips from our own specialist head-hunters!

There’s no two ways about it, looking for work is be hard work – especially with the additional worries and stress that come with it. There is a lot of admin involved and getting yourself prepared is key to a strong start.

A huge part of the battle is feeling confident in making the journey back to employment. The other is taking small actionable steps to get you there. So, let’s get going!

The #GetHired Toolkit

Making a plan

Creating a good work space for your job hunt

Why you should build routine into your job hunt

Do I need to be on LinkedIn to find a job?

CV Best practice

How to pick the right recruiter

Maintaining good mental health on your job hunt

Looking for a new role

Be SMART in your job hunt goals

Utilising your network to find your next role

Using job boards in your job hunt

Upskilling during your job hunt? Check out these resources

CV best practice

Quantifiable data you need to add to your CV right now

Application stage

How to customise your job application

How to write a covering letter to land your next job

The interview process

How to research in preparation for your job interview

Master the interview basics

Managing interview nerves on your big day

How to answer job interview questions effectively using STAR

How to answer “Why do you want this job?”

Tips on tackling the top 4 trickiest interview questions

Remote interview tips

After the interview(s)

How to follow up after an interview

Handling rejection after a job interview

How to write a resignation letter (with free template)

Starting work

Starting a new job remotely

Making a good impression starting your new job

Building a foundation for success in your new role

 

Want a ready-made list to help? Download #GetHired Toolkit list PDF here

Ready to take the next step? View the first chapter in our #GetHired Skills Toolkit.