Life is currently full of negativity. The world is in flux. The cost of living is rising daily. Recession looms. Yet despite these challenges, there has perhaps never been a better time to focus on what you want from your career. While the economy is shrinking, there are still more jobs available than people to fill them.
The post-Covid Great Resignation has meant some have chosen to withdraw from the labour market. This has led to a skills shortage with recruiters struggling to fill vacancies. Many are having to pay higher salaries to attract applicants. A buyer’s market makes it a good time to be applying.
Rather than focusing on what’s wrong in the world, invest time updating and polishing your CV. Complete some of the free careers questionnaires available online. These are a great way to identify the key skills, qualities and motivation you have to offer.
The benefits of careers questionnaires
The process of completing questionnaires can be a good way to boost your confidence. The findings will undoubtedly contribute to the quality of your CV and applications. (See also my post on what makes a good CV).
Here are 5 FREE questionnaires I recommend. Each offers something slightly different.
1. Values
The Personal Values Assessment identifies those things you need in order to feel true to yourself.
Exploring what’s most important to you in work can be helpful when making decisions about which organisations you’d like to work for and whether their values fit with yours.
2. Skills
The 123 Competency test helps identify your specific skills. Identifying them will make it easier to consider relevant roles. Once you’ve identified them, it’s easier to provide supporting evidence in applications and at interview.
This free Strengths profile provides a brief insight into your unique strengths- a helpful way to identify 3 of your top strengths. Use these to create a unique selling point as it’s unlikely other candidates will have a combination exactly the same as yours.
4. Preferences
16 Personalities provides an in-depth report into your personality preferences. Knowing your preferences can help you to understand why some people are easier to work with than others. It can also help you describe your approach to work in interviews.
5. Motivations
The Work Values Test identifies specific values likely to motivate you. Understanding what motivates you will help you to explore job roles and test out whether they would enable you to flourish.
In summary
- Don’t make assumptions about the job market. Fewer people may be applying for jobs than you imagine. Good quality applications will help open the door. Once the door is open explore what recruiters can offer you. e.g. A higher salary or flexible working. (N.B. Wait until you’ve received an offer before you have that conversation).
- If you did choose to go for the ‘Great Resignation’ option but are now rethinking your options due to the increase in the cost of living, the skills and experiences you have should put you in a strong bargaining position.
- Use reliable sources of information to see what’s actually going on rather than the ever-present doom-mongering online and on TV. This often overshadows the reality. Use robust sources such as the fortnightly UK labour market updates which can be found on luminate prospects.
- See also my post on how to prepare for interviews.
If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Elbert Hubbard.
