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The Job Search (Part 4 - Landing your Perfect Role Series)


Job Search Thumbnail. Health and Safety Jobs. How to start a career in health and safety. Health and safety recruiters. Sustainability recruitment companies. Health and safety recruitment agencies. Search² HSEQ Recruitment.


With a clear plan and the right resources, you can streamline the process of finding a new role and increase your chances of success. 


Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started.


1. Clarify What You Want


If you have followed our ‘Landing Your Perfect Role’ series, you will have already completed the exercises to determine what you are truly looking for in a new role (and whether you need to change jobs at all). 


If you haven’t seen it, you can find the series on www.search-recruitment.co.uk.


At a surface level, before diving in to job boards - consider the following: 


  • Job Type: What roles are you targeting?

  • Industry: Are you sticking to a specific sector or open to exploring others?

  • Location: Are you looking locally, nationally, or internationally?

  • Work Environment: Are you seeking remote, hybrid, or office-based roles? Understanding your preferences will help you filter job opportunities efficiently.


2. Update Your CV & LinkedIn Profile


In part 2 & 3 of we extensively covered updating your CV and optimising your LinkedIn profile. 


You can find them here: 


Crafting a winning CV


Optimising your LinkedIn page


3. Sign Up to Job Board Sites


Job boards are essential for finding a range of active (more on that below) opportunities in your field. You can select your criteria and receive daily or weekly job alerts any time a new role is posted. 


Here are some of the most popular sites to get you started:


  • LinkedIn: A great tool for networking and job searching. Use the 'Jobs' tab to find relevant opportunities and turn on the 'Open to Work' feature to let recruiters know you're available. www.linkedin.com 


  • Total Jobs: Offers a variety of opportunities, and you can set up alerts for jobs in your preferred sector. www.totaljobs.com 


  • CV Library: A vast database of roles, particularly popular for technical and trade jobs. www.cv-library.co.uk 


  • Indeed: One of the largest job search platforms globally, featuring job listings across all sectors. Make sure you set up job alerts on these platforms so that you're notified when new roles matching your criteria are posted. www.indeed.com 


  • IOSH Jobs: A job site specifically for health and safety professionals, created by Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) www.ioshjobs.com 



  • GreenJobs: A specialist job board specifically for Environmental & Sustainability roles www.greenjobs.co.uk 



4. Use Boolean Strings to Target Your Search 


Using a boolean string, tells a website or search engine the specific results that you would like to see. Using a mixture of AND, OR & NOT - you can pinpoint specific keywords that you would like to see the results of. 


For those unfamiliar with using boolean strings, you can find out more information here - https://shorturl.at/IGOKI 


Boolean strings aren’t necessary for your job search, but can be a useful tool if you are looking for a role with really niche / specialist requirements. 


4. Build Your Network


A strong professional network can significantly enhance your job search, and will give you access to roles that aren’t yet available to what wider market. 


  • Reconnect with Contacts: Reach out to old colleagues or industry professionals.

  • Attend Industry Events: Both virtual and in-person events can offer opportunities to meet people in your field.

  • Engage on LinkedIn: Comment on relevant posts, join groups, and engage with people in your target industries.


5. Find a specialist recruiter within your niche 


Specialist recruiters will have access to the types of jobs that you are looking for, and will have a human on the other end of the phone to listen to your requirements. 


This will also give you access to exclusive opportunities that aren’t posted publicly on job boards. Once you have invested the time to discuss your requirements with your chosen recruiter/s, they will do the work in the background to identify opportunities for you. 


More than simply applying for jobs, recruiters will be able to give you unique industry insight and individually tailored career coaching and support. As well as support throughout the entire job interview process - increasing your chances of success. 


If job boards provide opportunities that you have to actively search for, consider working with a a recruiter as a passive search that is happening in the background on your behalf. 


6. Let Recruiters Know You're Open to Opportunities (LinkedIn)


One of the simplest but most effective ways to enhance your job search is by toggling the 'open to opportunities' button in your LinkedIn settings. This lets recruiters know you are open to hearing about roles that fit your profile.


7. Express Interest in Companies, Even Without Job Openings (LinkedIn)


If there’s a company you’re passionate about, let them know you’d love to work there, even if they don't have any current vacancies. 


Visit the company's LinkedIn profile, go to the 'About' section, scroll down, and click 'I'm interested'. This notifies the company that you're keen on joining them, which can be useful if positions open up later.


8. Prepare for Interviews


We will be covering this in Pt.5 of our series. 


9. Stay Organised 


Keep track of all the jobs you apply for. Use a spreadsheet or app to list the company name, position, date of application, and any follow-ups. This will help you monitor your progress and follow up appropriately.


10. Mentally Prepare & Make Room in Your Calendar 


If you are particularly proactive in your job search and are utilising a number of job boards and recruiters you should be prepared to receive a lot of communication over the coming weeks. 


This may mean repeating yourself and having the same conversations with multiple people and it is likely that you are going to be receiving more phone calls than usual about potential opportunities. 


It also means that you are likely to be invited to interviews, therefore, it is worth thinking about your calendar and schedule ahead for the coming weeks in anticipation. 


Up next


Part 5 - Preparing for your interview. 


About this series

This 10-part series in how to land your perfect role is a published form of the advice that we are offering safety, sustainability & quality professionals day-in-day-out.


Our team can only have so many conversations in a day / week / month / year. By publishing this series, we are hoping to reach and add value to professionals across the industry and beyond that we haven’t yet had the pleasure of working with.


If you would like to get in touch with us to find out how we can provide tailored career advice and opportunities - please visit www.search-recruitment.co.uk and get in touch.


To keep up-to-date with each instalment of this series - follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/search2



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