There are many reasons for going on the job hunt in 2021 to find a new position. Some have unfortunately found themselves unemployed due to job cuts during the pandemic. The office for national statistics showed that unemployment was at an all-time high in 2020 but the country has seen a recovery in the first quarter of 2021 and should continue to do so as the economy reopens and grows.
Others have found themselves falling out of love with their jobs and are now looking to change careers completely. The non-profit organisation, Investors in People, conducted a survey of 1200 people and found that two in three (65%) of workers surveyed admitted to not wanting to return to work after a weekend.
Year on year, there was a 10% rise in people feeling unhappy in their role. 24% of the survey were unsatisfied with their job at the turn of the year, with the same number actively seeking a new job. Meanwhile, another 32% are said to be considering looking for a new position.
The report identified three main factors contributing to workers seeking new employment: earning more money, not feeling valued and wanting a better work/life balance. Stress was also a key issue mentioned in the report. 77% of employees stated they were stressed at work and 64% said they were having sleep issues.
So, what do employees want? More than half (54%) say having friends at work is important to them, while a quarter admits to staying in a job because of their friendships rather than enjoyment of their work. Nearly half (47%) would rather have a friendly workplace than a 3% pay rise.
In a post-pandemic world, many still want flexible working options for a better work/life balance, while keeping an all-important friendly culture. We surveyed 124 members of our LinkedIn network and asked where they want to work, here are our findings:
With so many job seekers on the market, searching for a new job will be a frustrating experience, especially if you are looking for the perfect role that offers a work/life balance and social culture as so many are.
Preparation, consistency, and your strategy will be the key to making your hunt less of a chore but advice from experts will also be useful…
6 tips from our in-house experts for your job hunt:
Figure out what you want – The more you understand what you want the more you will be able to target roles. Make a list of what is important to you, for example, money, title, location, responsibility and culture. If you can find a role that ticks all these boxes then you’ll find great satisfaction in your new job.
Research the companies you are applying to – One-third of your life is spent at work and you want to make sure you’re joining a company that suits you. Glassdoor is an excellent website for finding out more about a company. It gives reviews and also types of interview questions that the company might ask.
Tailor your CV – Your CV is the first impression and communication you make with your potential employer. You need to make sure it is relevant to the role you are applying for and demonstrate how you will add value to the employer.
Prepare a few key interview questions – All interviews are different but it’s worth preparing for a few questions that have a high probability of coming up. There is not a one size fits all answer but it allows you to become comfortable with the questions. In our experience, the top interview questions are: “Tell me about yourself”, “what are your biggest weaknesses”, “why should we hire you” and “what can you do for our company that others can’t”.
Always ask for feedback – If you didn’t get the job there is still an opportunity to learn. By asking for feedback after the interview you can figure out what you need to do for next time and improve your performance.
Don’t forget your value – If you feel you are made an offer that is below you then don’t be scared to turn it down. You’re offering the employer services that we are sure you are very good at. If you agree to something that is beneath you then the likelihood is you will be on the job hunt again in the near future.
Finally, do not be put off if you do not have everything the job specification asks for. Many employers will offer training and give the right candidate the tools they need to excel in their role.
Good luck in your job search.