There’s no denying it: looking for a new job is stressful.
Whatever your level of experience and whatever sector you work in, searching for a job takes a great deal of time, effort, and concentration.
With over 20 years of experience in defence recruitment, we tend to see that people usually make the same job-hunting mistakes when looking for a new role.
So, with that in mind, if you’re searching or applying for a new defence role, read on to discover five common job-hunting mistakes and how you can avoid them…
Mistake 1: Not customising your CV
We know that CV writing can be a daunting task, but it’s important not to just send the same CV for every application.
Whether you are applying for a defence role in the land, aviation or marine sector, your CV needs to demonstrate that you have the appropriate experience and that you’re the right person for the job.
Sure, have a master copy of your CV that you can work from, but make sure that you customise your CV for each role you apply for to ensure your CV is as powerful as possible.
Have a look at the job description, and make sure your CV answers the brief. By ensuring your CV has the relevant keywords and skills listed in the job description, you will increase your chances of getting to interview stage.
Mistake 2: Not tweaking your cover letter
The same goes for cover letters, too. In fact, one of the most common job hunting mistakes we see is candidates using a generic cover letter template. We know that looking for a job can be time consuming, but it’s important not to cut corners – especially when it comes to your cover letter.
Your cover letter is the first part of your CV a hiring manager will read, so use it as an opportunity to wow them.
Showing that you’ve put in the effort to write something original could be the deciding factor that makes you stand out from other candidates.
If you’re pushed for time, why not consider writing three or four cover letters based on job type and then customising from there.
Mistake 3: Not using social media
If you’ve been in the army, you probably have a pretty low profile on social media – but if you’re not using social media, that needs to change – and fast!
Follow companies you are interested in working for and connect with as many people as possible to expand your network so that you can find out about any new vacancies as soon as they come up, and you should also review your LinkedIn profile to ensure it includes buzzwords and key skills that are essential to your industry.
By including information about your skills, knowledge and experience on your profile page, you can show potential employers that you’d be a good fit for the team. It basically allows you to market and promote yourself without having to pay a penny!
Mistake 4: Not following up
We’re moving on a step here, but another job-hunting mistake we see all too often is candidates not following up after an interview for a defence role. You can’t win ‘em all – and if, for some reason, your job interview is unsuccessful, it’s still important to send a simple email to say thank you.
Remember: although you might not have been right for this particular role, others might come up that you are more suited to, and a thank you note is a great way to set you up for opportunities in the future.
Doing so will put you in a good light, ensure you are remembered and possibly create the opportunity for another meeting in the future if another role comes up.
What’s more, following up also shows that you are committed and that you have exceptional attention to detail – all things that can build up your reputation in the defence industry!
Mistake 5: Going it alone
Last but by no means least, flying solo in your job search is always tough and it’s easy to get disheartened. But by working with a specialist recruitment consultancy, you can take the pressure out of your job search.
Not only will they get to know you, your skillset and your goals to make sure they understand the role you are looking for, but they will be able to provide expert career advice.
What’s more, specialist recruiters will have existing relationships with key defence industry employers – which means they will be able to provide you with inside info and expert advice to make sure you stand out from the competition.
How M&E can help
At M&E Global, we have over 20 years of experience in defence recruitment, and there is nothing our expert team doesn’t know about helping you avoid job hunting mistakes so you can land your dream defence role.
So, if you’re searching for a new opportunity, contact our team today to get the ball rolling!
Alternatively, have a look at the vacancies we are currently working on in the UK and Europe to see if anything is of interest to you.
