Aija Bärlund, a professional in direct search, emphasizes that job hunting always starts with groundwork: knowing yourself and defining your direction.
– Start by listing your strengths, interests, and skills. This makes it easier to identify the types of roles you should apply for.
– If it’s hard to recognize your own strengths, ask colleagues or people who know you well: in which situations has your performance stood out, and what do they think you excel at? Consider whether these strengths match the requirements of the roles you’re targeting.
Once your goal is clear, it’s time to polish your CV and application and reach out to interesting employers directly.
– If you only apply to advertised positions, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. Competition in the job market is tough.
Bärlund encourages courage and looking beyond your current field.
– Your skills may be needed in an entirely different sector. In that case, it’s worthwhile to explore the new field and develop your competencies.
Discover hidden job opportunities
Hidden jobs are a current trend. Companies often don’t post positions publicly to avoid a flood of unqualified applicants and unnecessary work. Over the years, networks can open doors to new opportunities. A long career brings valuable contacts, which can lead to exciting roles through former colleagues, friends, or hobbies.
– Start by thinking about what interests you and what networks might exist around those areas. There’s also a lot of information available online.
Update your CV and optimize LinkedIn
Today, a CV is more than a list of responsibilities; it should clearly highlight your skills and achievements relevant to the position. Bärlund stresses that your CV should always be tailored to the job. Free online tools like Canva offer ready-made CV templates, and you can add personality with, for example, a short video.
It’s important to keep your LinkedIn profile up to date and actively showcase your skills. Hashtags can help increase visibility.
– Choose a few key themes that are meaningful to you and use them to position yourself on LinkedIn. Engage in discussions and leave digital traces that make you discoverable.
A strong profile and visibility can lead to opportunities even when you’re not actively applying. AI and recruiters monitor profiles.
– I wasn’t looking for a job, but AI suggested I apply for a CEO position at a company. I clicked apply—and I got the role, Bärlund smiles.
Use career counselling and try coaching
According to Bärlund, developing your skills is the best career insurance. Years of experience bring valuable expertise, and career services, mentoring, and training help you grow further. She recommends using your professional union’s career counselling for CV and application support, as well as guidance on skill development. For example, the Trade Union Pro offers its members comprehensive career counselling, including tips for job hunting and career planning.
Coaching can also be helpful when unemployed, as an experienced professional can help you see new possibilities. You shouldn’t hide unemployment in your job search.
– If you’ve been laid off, it’s normal today and nothing to be ashamed of. Be honest about your situation.
However, don’t criticize a former employer during an interview, even if your previous job ended turbulently.
– Stick to the facts and explain what you learned and why the role no longer suited you.
Feeling overwhelmed? Let AI help
Updating your CV, leveraging networks, and building professional visibility takes time and energy. Bärlund recommends using AI to assist in job hunting—it can help you phrase your skills, prepare for interviews, and network.
– But don’t rely on AI to write your application or CV. Personal voice, motivation, and experience come across best in your own words.
Age and experience give confidence
Years of experience bring the confidence to be yourself. When you are comfortable in your own skin, it creates trust and makes a strong impression. Recruiters quickly notice if a candidate is trying to be someone they’re not. Authenticity leaves a stronger impression than a forced role.
– Genuine enthusiasm and motivation are memorable. It shows when a candidate truly wants the job, Bärlund encourages.