New Year, Next Steps
By Mathilda Burton
Moving into the new year, it’s time to revaluate your present company, position, title, and the ultimate goal of where you want to take your career.
The construction industry is always volatile, it’s what makes it so exciting. With tenders being awarded throughout December, January and February are a time where most companies are looking to hire. So in order to make the most of the abundance of opportunities available, read on.
Although tailored to the construction industry, the following tips and tricks can be applied to any industry.
Step 1: Figure out what you want
I know it sounds simple, but I came across multiple people every single day that really have no clue what they want from their careers. I am always meeting people who have no real idea how they got to be where they currently are. In order to help them gain some clarity as to the direction they wish to pursue, I ask them the following questions:
- Think about when you’re retired, and you get to look back on your life, what did you achieve? What are you bragging about to your friends?
- What’s been your biggest achievement?
- If you could pick the absolute best working environment, where you thrive and accomplish anything, what does that look like?
These are questions you should ask yourself. It will help figure out the type of work place culture that suits your character, it reminds you of the things you’re proud of and why you’re proud of them which in essence helps you to understand why you do what you do.
Step 2: Make a Plan
The task of finding new employment, a new company or role, is daunting! There are so many different roles and companies to choose from. So breaking it down into steps makes this process so much simpler and easier to navigate.
Start with reaching out to your network, ask your friends and colleagues if they’ve heard of any positions opening up. See what they’ve heard on the grapevine.
Speak to a recruiter within the industry – trust me, recruiters are a valuable source of information. They know market trends, what a working environment is like at each different company, what the Directors or Upper Management are like, the types of projects they are working on and what’s in the pipeline, what different roles are paying…the list goes on. Pick their brain!
Fix up your CV – I know that’s boring and tedious, but it’s necessary. When presenting yourself on paper to an employer you need to be honest, detailed, and succinct. List the company, job title, time in role, key duties, and projects (with monetary values if possible). This gives a brilliant overview of your working history and your capabilities without swamping potential employers with information.
Step 3: Interview Preparation
Regardless of the role you’re going for, I highly recommend sitting down with someone and learning some interview techniques. Whenever I have a candidate interview with a client for a role, I make sure they are armed with questions that will give answers that will highlight why or why not this company is the right one for them. It’s dependent on each individual, but questions regarding career progression, company culture, and the what the company expects from you are always good ones.
I’ve also found that a lot of people have no idea how to “sell themselves”. Confidence is always important, as is clearly articulating what you’re saying. Being detailed, recalling facts and figures, and finding ways to bring into conversation your own key strengths are important ways of putting yourself in a favourable position.
Step 4: Don’t just think about the Money
Yes, I know, money is very important, and most people don’t want to move if it means taking a pay-cut. However, money isn’t everything, otherwise you’d just go ask your current employer for a pay-rise. Recruiters see it all the time, and it saddens us – you go to resign because you’ve been offered a new role at a new company that will give you everything you’re looking for, but then your current employer gives a counter-offer. You accept the pay-rise, and stay. Then, 3 or 4 or 6 months later, you’re back on the phone with the recruiter, swallowing your pride, and saying that you should have taken that offer with the new company because you’re still miserable.
When it comes to making a career move, think Big Picture, not dollar-signs.
A few other little insights:
- Job boards are a great resource, but don’t let them be your only resource.
- Be reliable and flexible. The people who interview you are just as time-poor as you are after all. Answer your phone when recruiters or companies call, show up when you say you’re going to show up, and compromise on times and days when attending interviews.
With over ten years in the hospitality industry, Mathilda Burton has spent the last two years within the Sales Industry, and is now a Recruiter for the Construction and Property Development industry at Consultive. Person-focused, she enjoys the challenge of managing people and helping them achieve their goals.
Currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science through the Australian College of Applied Psychology, Mathilda has always been fascinated in human behaviour, what motivates an individual, and how people interact and connect with each other.