Christmas tips for job seekers from ARM.

Christmas tips for job seekers from ARM.

Christmas is a time of parties - and parties are an excellent place to network. Speak to as many people as you can and get the word out that you are looking for a new job.  Professional networking events are a useful tool for job seekers too. Look out for them, and use them.

Get on LinkedIn - if not only to network with other professionals in your industry, recruiters and HR managers are using LinkedIn to find jobseekers with the skills they need. Create your profile and include all relevant employment experience.   

If location allows, try to meet with recruitment consultants who are representing you - putting a face to a name allows for a stronger, more personal working relationship.

Ensure that you have honest, open and two way communication with any recruitment consultant you choose to work with. They should keep you regularly updated with the activity that they are carrying out on your behalf, and you should do exactly the same in order to avoid any crossover or duplicate introductions.

Keep in mind that the market is a little quieter and slower as we head towards Christmas. Keep looking - the New Year is one of the best times to find a new job with New Year resolutions ensuring that there is a lot more movement within the job market. Movement creates new vacancies and opportunities. In the same vein, lots of agents and clients advertise ready for the New Year - keep up to date on the jobs boards.

Remember that many of the technical markets are still very busy. Consider whether it is worth transferring your skills into a different sector.

Don't take it personally that companies can take longer at this time of year to get back to you with feedback following interviews, receipt of your CV etc. Again, this is very normal for this time of year - frustrating, but normal!  

Keep re-visiting your CV - ensure it represents you as best it possibly can and tailor it to each job that you apply for, along with a tailored covering letter.  It sounds obvious, but make sure you have your current contact details on your CV so that people can get hold of you quickly, and keep it right up to date with your latest qualifications and work experience.