10 steps to landing a new job in Q4

Summer holidays are over, and as the last rays of sunshine fade, you might be thinking it’s time for a change. Maybe your job isn't as exciting as it once was, or perhaps you’re ready for something new before the year ends. And let’s be honest—who wouldn’t want to start a new job just in time to enjoy the Christmas party?

With shops already brimming with festive treats and decorations, it is a reminder that 2024 is almost over. If you're eyeing a fresh start in Q4, remember: December is only 12 weeks away.

So whether you’ve had enough of remote work, want to bounce back from a career setback, or return to work after a career break, now’s the perfect time to explore new opportunities and be ready to step into a new role in time to enjoy the festive season.

Looking for a new job can feel overwhelming, especially with the clock ticking down until December 25th. Here are 10 steps to help you find a new role this autumn. 

1. Consider your workplace non-negotiables

Whether it’s not working at home in the evenings because it’s family time, we all have aspects of our lives that are non-negotiable.  Your workplace non-negotiables outline what you expect from your next employer, boss, work environment, and culture, including what you will and won’t accept from others. We spend one-third of our lives at work, so consider workplace non-negotiables.

2. Build your social media presence

Use LinkedIn to show your interests and skills. Ensure you link to relevant people and groups to build a professional profile. Engage with other professionals in your line of work. Hiring managers often search for both candidates and applicants on social media.

3. CV

Use the right keywords. Ensure that your CV has the keywords relevant to your ideal job. Gather some job descriptions and person specifications, and you can then update your CV with the right language.  Once updated,  email your CV to recruiters and employers. This shows initiative and may help them think of you when a suitable role arises.

4. Upskill

For your next role, you may need to develop your skills. LinkedIn data shows that the skills have changed by 25% since 2015. By 2027, that number is expected to double. The ever-evolving workplace means that upskilling is often needed. Upskilling is getting new skills and competencies to stay relevant in a job. It is to keep pace with a changing workplace and to remain competitive thanks to digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI). Employers recruiting want to interview candidates with emerging skill sets. These are the skills employers believe will grow in the next five years. Other skills include digital skills, self-management, and leadership.

5. Become a thought leader

The more people who know you and your work, the more chances you have to make a new contact when you’re job hunting.  Are there opportunities to write for trade journals, presentations you could give, blogs and social media posts you could create for your LinkedIn or other opportunities to build credibility in your field? 

6. Cover your tracks

Recruiters and companies often value active workers more highly than those who have spent time out of work. This is because, in theory, your skills and industry knowledge are more up-to-date. Searching for a new job while still in your current role has many advantages. You can be more relaxed about your finances and take the time to find the job you want the most. However, looking for a new role when you’re already in one presents challenges, as you don’t want your boss or colleagues to find out.

Don’t advertise the fact that you’re job hunting. Some experts suggest avoiding posting your CV on job sites because it might be inadvertently sent to your current employer. Instead, make one-on-one connections in your network and speak to a specialist recruiter.

7. Specialist recruiters

Using a specialist recruitment company such as Meraki Talent can help. They can help you search for a job confidentially and speed up the process. Since they have good industry contacts, they might know of roles before they are advertised. Moreover, a good recruitment consultant can prospect good candidates for their clients.

8. Don’t neglect your day job

Ensure you remain motivated. Go to the meetings, keep your clients happy, and hit those deadlines. Don’t decline training opportunities or events that are on the horizon. When it comes to job interviews and the many rounds that professionals face, nowadays there is more flexibility. From video interviews to flexible time slots available due to flexible working and hybrid working patterns.

9. Be open-minded to opportunities

There are also new areas of opportunity opening up, such as the emergence of green finance for professionals in financial services. If you’re a newly qualified accountant (NQT), you might look to move into industry. Also, you might be at a stage where you are looking for a new experience and to live and work somewhere new. Meraki Talent has opportunities with top employers abroad. Many of these are in audit and are for the Big4 and other large employers in Dublin, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Jersey, and Guernsey.

10. Prep for those interviews

Oscar Wilde said, "Be yourself, everyone else is taken." At the interview stage, hiring managers look at your enthusiasm, presentation skills, and personality. They will also assess if you’re a good fit for the team and company culture

At the second stage, technical and operational questions might be kept to a minimum.  It’s more a case of compatibility and demonstrating your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation.

At Meraki Talent, we are passionate about helping professionals like you find their next role before Christmas. We specialise in the financial services, professional services, HR, legal, and technology sectors. If you think it is time for a change, search through our vacancies.