20th June, 2025
Day one of a job search is essentially the hardest of all. Why? You know nothing, your experience is zero and there has been no feedback to shape and focus you. Ancient cultures (some bizarre rabbit holes I go down) often talk about “difficulty at the beginning”, which isn’t about ability but moreso what we can’t see ahead and around us to make the best decisions we need to.
We’re going to make some miss-steps but they are crucial in teaching us about the journey ahead. Those mistakes will show us what we need to tweak and which assumptions we have to let go of to move toward our goal.
Don’t start applying for jobs on day one. There’s too much you haven’t processed and thought through. Sending off applications left, right and centre without thinking about why you’re applying or having a robust and unique pitch (resume) is usually a waste of time.
Do begin to dream a little and think about what you want from your next job. Start to assess and understand how you’ve changed and what now matters to you above all else when working in the ideal environment.
This first step lays the foundation for everything else to follow in kind – how can an effective resume be constructed without properly understanding our own motivations and desires? Our own strengths and values?
These questions, once answered, allow us to proceed with greater focus and clarity. So when we do start assessing job adverts and other opportunities, we’re making decisions from a base of having educated ourselves about our own goals and purpose.
From my own career as a recruiter, I see the huge difference this makes to a resume, a conversation and an interview in terms of how a job seeker communicates.
Do yourself a favour and don’t panic, don’t rush it and do think about it.