Job hunting can sometimes be a difficult and overwhelming experience. We’ve broken it down into 10 easy steps to supercharge your job search – helping you stay on top of the latest opportunities and get noticed by employers.
1. Sprinkle Some Magic on Your CV
Generally speaking, your CV should be updated every 6-12 months as you gather new skills and experiences. Sending a CV which is out of date will hardly impress a recruiter; it will make you look sloppy if anything.
You need to make sure that your CV wows to stand out from the crowd. Recruiters will often receive hundreds of applications for one position, so what is going to make them want to read your CV and invite you to the interview stage? Think like a marketer, you need to sell yourself!
Writing an amazing CV is an art but there is plenty of advice out there to help you. Failing that, why not use a CV writing service? We love the CV & Interview Advisors; they’ll even give you a free appraisal before you commit to spending with them.
2. Upload Your CV
Now that you’ve created a stand out CV, the time has come to upload it and let recruiters see how fabulous you really are. You’d be surprised at how many recruiters regularly search CV databases looking to headhunt top talent so this one’s important!
On Aviation Job Search, you can create your own jobseeker profile and upload your CV to accompany it. Make sure you fill in all your contact details so recruiters can contact you with the latest opportunities.
3. Set up Job Alerts
Another nifty trick is to set up job alerts for the types of jobs you’re interested in. That means you don’t have to come to us, we’ll come to you! Every morning, we’ll email over all the latest opportunities which match your criteria to save you the hassle.
You can tailor your alerts by job type, job category, salary and location. You can even include aircraft type if relevant. All that’s left for you to do is to keep an eye on your inbox and apply as soon as a job catches your eye.
4. Cover Letter
Don’t forget to tailor your cover letter for each application you send. It should show the employer how your skills and experience match the requirements laid out in the job description. Be professional, addressing and formatting the letter correctly and show the recruiter why you’re the right person for the job.
Make sure you don’t just copy your CV and remember that it’s quality rather than quantity that counts in a cover letter. Here’s our cover letter writing guide for more detailed tips on catching employers’ attention.
5. Spring Clean Your Social Media
Drunken photos or inappropriate comments, however long ago, are not going to impress any potential employer.
Recruiters are more than likely to do a quick search for you on social media before inviting you to interview so make sure they like what they see. Tidying up your online presence is essential before you start sending out job applications.
Posting insightful and interesting comments on social media, such as LinkedIn, could be the reason you stand out from another candidate. Use these platforms to your advantage.
6. Network on LinkedIn
This is an extremely valuable tool for jobseekers, so make the most of it. Show off your industry knowledge, any key skills and get endorsements from past managers and colleagues. LinkedIn is also a great networking tool. Make connections within the aviation industry, join groups and get involved.
7. See Who’s Hiring
Browse through the companies who are hiring, find the companies you’d love to work for and start applying for jobs. You can even set up alerts for certain employers so you know as soon as they post a new opportunity.
8. Proofread
Don’t forget to check your CV and cover letter for spelling and grammar mistakes – these can really put recruiters off. In addition to spell check, a tool like Grammarly can pick up any little mistakes that you miss.
If you can, get a second pair of eyes to help you proofread for any errors.
9. Get Organised
Searching for a new job is a job in itself so put time aside every day (or week) to apply for positions. This could be the time when you are most productive or when you have a quiet hour or two to yourself.
If you dedicate a certain amount of time each day you can make sure that you are consistently making applications and keeping on top of any new opportunities. This ‘little and often’ strategy can also make the task feel much more manageable.
10. Stay Positive
Job hunting is a numbers game and you probably won’t get the first job you apply for – but don’t let this dishearten you.
Ask for feedback if you’re not successful in an application or interview and try to learn from the experience. Remember that new jobs are added to Aviation Job Search every single day so remain positive as tomorrow’s another day!
