Bath has weathered the recession better than many cities, with long standing businesses retaining their presence and a small number of new companies starting to emerge. We all hope the government do start to action its support to commercial sector growth allowing businesses to grow again, however redundancies remain a prominent part of working life and throughout the region jobseekers can be found pondering their next steps.
The shape of the market has certainly changed; only a few years ago it was a candidate-dominated Britain. Jobseekers had the power to be selective, making diverse career changes as they saw fit. 2010 is the year of the Employer; faced with a wider pool of candidates from which to select, recruiters are able to closely define their search criteria, favouring applicants with specific skills and working experience.
Bath’s job-seeking demographic is also greatly varied; the graduates compete against the experienced redundant for many of the same vacancies, and the 2009 University leavers fear the fresh wave of competition that the summer presented. Many are so desperate to secure work that they would consider greatly reducing their career and salary expectations.
What next?
If the above rings true for your own experience, then you have some decisions to make. But before firing off applications to every employer in Bath it is worthwhile taking some time to reflect…
On where you are now: Grab a notebook and pen and consider your current strengths and experiences. What have you gained from your most recent position/course? Which elements have you most or least enjoyed? Which skills have your employer, colleagues or friends praised you for?
On where you would like to be: Bearing your work experience and lifestyle requirements in mind; what salary can you realistically command and afford to live on? Which industries and positions most appeal to you? Spend some time researching the possibilities and whether it is a case of finding an ‘exact replacement’ position, an entry-level role or a step towards career development. If it is a case of either of the latter, you should also research whether further training is necessary.
And on how you can get there: A CV is your personal selling tool and should succinctly convey your career history, highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Ensure that this is professionally presented and, vitally, spell-checked! Be selective about what you apply for, allowing you to put the time and effort into tailoring your CV and covering letter to each vacancy. Enlist some professional support; research recruitment agencies relevant to your industry and submit your CV. Professionally trained consultants will be able to help you stand out from the crowd and market you to appropriate clients in the area.
If you need some professional advice, contact one of Appoint Recruitment’s expert Consultants today on 01225 313130 / applicants@appoint.co.uk
Specialising in commercial office based vacancies, Appoint recruit for Temporary, Contract and Permanent Opportunities, visit: www.appoint.co.uk for more information and to browse the latest openings.
- Gemma Bolton, Appoint Recruitment
