How long will it take you
to secure a new job?
Candidates often fall into the trap of making comparisons when they are looking for work. Comparisons can convince people that they are doing well, badly or the same in relation to other people. Are you aware of how long it will take you secure a new job? If you are not aware of your 'time model', you could be prone to early withdrawal, disappointment, disillusionment or dissatisfaction. Please click below to discover how you can work out your very own accurate job-hunting time model.
The key to being a successful job hunter is being aware of all the facts. It is easy to blame outside sources for your lack of success in the job market. There is a lot you can do to help yourself and this is by far the most empowering route. Having an awareness of the timescales involved will help you to focus and to stay focused. The more you know where to focus your attention, the better your chances will be for getting one of the better jobs on offer.
Sarah Berry's job-hunting time model
The time model below explains why it may take some candidates longer to secure a job than others. The purpose of this model is to encourage job-hunters not to give up their job hunt too early or to accept a lower package just because they feel that they have been on the job market a long time. Sometimes being on the job market for a longer period of time is in fact the perfect amount of time for certain job hunters.
The actual time it will take you to secure a new job will depend upon many different factors. However, it is important to be honest with yourself in order to avoid early withdrawal, disappointment, disillusionment or dissatisfaction.
Let's look at all the criteria and calculate an estimated time figure in weeks for you.
1. Working out your base figure in terms of weeks
Take your annual salary including bonus and work out how much you get paid a day. (*You will need to include this figure in the worksheet below.) For example, if you are on an annual salary of £35,000, divide this figure by 365 days to give you the number 95. Divide your number by 5 to give you a basic idea of how many weeks it will take you to secure your new job. If you are on a salary of £35K, it is 19 weeks; if you are on a salary of £100K, it is roughly 55 weeks.
This figure is the basic number of weeks it will take you to secure a new job. In rough terms, if you are on £100k it may take you up to one year to secure a new job. This figure of the number of weeks it will take you doesn't take into account other factors which will either increase your total number of weeks or decrease your total number of weeks. If your figure goes below four weeks, use four weeks as your base number of weeks ie one month from now you will have at least one job offer. Let's look more closely at these factors.
2. Qualifications
Employers ask for credentials because it reduces the need for them to make decisions based on intangibles. In some cases, you must accept that your background does not meet the job specifications. However, you can often get round this hurdle. It may ask for an 'absolute minimum of five years' experience' but you can still get a hearing if your background is reasonably close. Where requirements are vague, such as 'strong or extensive experience', give yourself the benefit of the doubt.
If you lack the qualifications but feel you have the ability to do the job, be honest in your CV but highlight your abilities in your covering letter. An employer is not employing a qualification, he's employing you - a whole person. If you can come across as positive, enthusiastic and having much to offer, you are more likely to create interest.
| Base number of weeks |
Number of weeks |
(*Refer to point number one to work out your base number of weeks)
|
.......... |
| Qualifications |
|
| If your qualifications are high, deduct three weeks from the base figure above |
.......... |
| If your qualifications are low, add seven weeks to the base figure above |
.......... |
| If your qualifications are average, do not change your base number of weeks |
.......... |
| New figure in terms of the number of weeks |
.......... |
3. Your CV
A poor CV could deprive you of a position you are well suited to. Anyone of any ability can project himself or herself in a positive way that will win him/her the job. The secret is knowing how to sell yourself on paper. In quick terms, if your CV has spelling mistakes, a poor layout, is difficult to follow or doesn't reflect you at your best, you need a new CV. Your CV needs to demonstrate your level of experience and expertise, satisfy the employer's needs and show how you would add value to the organisation. Career Consultants On-Line CV Assessment evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of every part of your CV and covering letter. Are you aware that most candidates CVs fall into the poor category? Would you like to discover how good your CV is? If you would like to put your CV through our CV Assessment test we can advise you how to improve it. It is the most thorough CV and covering letter assessment you will find on the Internet.
| If your CV is excellent, deduct three weeks from the base figure above |
.......... |
| If your CV is poor or average, add seven weeks to the base figure above |
.......... |
| New figure in terms of the number of weeks |
.......... |
4. Personality
Your personality is crucial to the hiring decision. What do you personally have to offer? It is important that you don't keep your assets a secret. You have to be able to communicate your personal qualities in your CV and at the interview. It is not up to the employer to discover who you are. Firstly, you need to analyse yourself in terms of your attractiveness as a candidate and then you need to relate this to the market place. You must have a clear idea of where your strengths lie.
If you are in doubt or unsure about how to communicate your personal message, Career Consultants offers personality profiles on-line to help you develop a clear vision of what you are capable of careerwise. We can also advise you on what jobs or positions would suit you best.
| If you are aware of your key personality traits and how these will add value to a company, deduct three |
.......... |
| If you have no real awareness of the impact of your personality, add seven weeks |
.......... |
| New figure in terms of the number of weeks |
.......... |
5. Your specific requirements
These are important because they will affect the timescales.
| If you have any specific requirements, such as a company car, membership to a gym, an increase in salary, location or a pension, add ten weeks |
.......... |
| If you have no specific requirements, deduct three weeks |
.......... |
| New figure in terms of the number of weeks |
.......... |
6. Salary
Money is the biggest reason people get up to go to work in the morning. Money is also a word that presses most people's buttons. Be honest; do you earn as much as you think you should? Do you earn as much as your friends and colleagues? And would you like to be earning more? Why is it that some people seem to have a larger slice of the pie than you do? Is earning money to do with working long hours, skills and qualifications, being in the right place at the right time or is it down to pure luck?
Salary needs if you are currently employed
| If you are looking for a salary increase of 20% or more, add three weeks |
.......... |
| If you are willing to take a decrease of 25% or more in your salary, deduct three weeks |
.......... |
| New figure in terms of the number of weeks |
.......... |
Salary needs if you are currently unemployed
| If you are looking for a salary increase of 20% or more, add seven weeks |
.......... |
| If you are looking for a decrease of 10% or more in your salary, deduct three weeks |
.......... |
| Please add up all your figures and write down your estimated job search time frame in the total number of weeks |
.......... |
Has this advice helped you to identify how long you will be on the job market? The model shows quite clearly that the better prepared and aware you are of yourself, the quicker you will secure a new job. If you would benefit from a more personal and interactive approach, I can help you with that. Would you benefit from a personality profile or a comprehensive review of your CV?
Let us show you how to best sell your skills to employers. These products are offered separately or together at a discount. Please click below for further information on the CV Assessment product and the personality profile.
Copyright © Sarah Berry 2005
Career Consultants On-line Ltd
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