New Year, New Job: Advice for job seekers in 2021

The coined term ‘New Year, New Me’ is like marmite, people either love it or hate it. For some, it feels like intense pressure to change and adapt, simply because the clock struck midnight on 1^st January but, for others, it can feel like a fresh start, a blank canvas and the chance to make exciting plans and goals for the year to come. 

Of course, 2020 wasn’t the greatest year for any of us and a lot of what we were doing, or wanted to do, personally and professionally, was put on hold for the best part of nine months. And while we may have started 2021 in a national lockdown, there is a light at the end of the tunnel in the shape of a vaccine. Consequently, as a country, we are a much more optimistic than we were 10 months ago.

This shift in attitude has meant New Year’s resolutions are back on the cards for many. For 1 in 4 Brits, 2021’s goal is to look for and secure a new role. 

The reasons for job hunting will vary amongst each individual. For some it may be because of redundancy from the previous year, for others it will be to remove themselves from an unstable sector, for the rest, it will simply be because now is the time for a change. However, no matter what your motivation for a fresh start on your career path this year, the process is going to look a little different in 2021 to what we’re all used to. 

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make a great start for a successful candidate journey this year. 

Take stock of your transferrable skills

Undoubtedly, there will be a lot of candidates who will be looking to enter a completely new line of work in 2021 due to the devastating effect the pandemic has had on certain sectors. It can be scary to enter something relatively unknown, and not having the exact desired skill set can be off-putting however, don’t limit yourself!  

In your years of experience, you will have gained and built upon some fantastic skills, some of which may bring something exciting and new to another employer and their business. Home in on how your existing skill set could complement other employers’ needs and use that to your benefit. 

Get used to virtual interviews 

Although not exactly a new thing, the vast majority of first interviews with employers now conducting them virtually. And this process is certainly here to stay, even after the pandemic, because of how much cheaper and less time-consuming the process is for both candidate and employer. However, just because it’s here to stay doesn’t mean it’s the easiest thing to get used to.

Make sure you regularly test your tech, brush up on the correct online etiquette, dress properly and sit in the right area of the house. Look here for some great information on making the most out of your online interviews. 

Look after your mental health 

There will, as there is in any job hunt, be rejection and disappointment which will be made harder by the current situation. Being unemployed at a time like this or receiving unsuccessful feedback can be incredibly disheartening. Therefore, make sure you have methods in place to care for your mental health and wellbeing. 

Ensure you have a friend or family member you can talk your concerns through with, that you take time to practice self-care and that, if the going gets too tough, you take a little time-out to give yourself some breathing space. 

Starting up a new venture altogether?

It may be that 2021 isn’t the year that you want to start a new role but instead, the year you are setting up your own business. 

While an incredibly exciting step, it can be very daunting to know where to start. Exeter Works is a fantastic resource for all new local start-ups and entrepreneurs in the Exeter region, providing helpful and clear resources, guides and contacts – all of which will help you to plan, launch and make a true success of your business. 

If you’re looking for advice and information about business support that is available to you and your industry, click this link here to get started. Good luck!