OUT with the old, in with the new . . . job, that is.
The first two weeks of the new year see the annual January jobs spike, with employers reporting an average 80 per cent surge in applications.
Fresh research from Career Wallet suggests that 19 per cent of staff plan to shift careers in 2025, driven by concerns about the long-term viability of the role they hold in their current industry.
However, with vacancy numbers continuing to fall, competition for the best positions will be tough. So it pays to be prepared.
Whether your New Year’s resolution is to follow a new employment path, climb the career ladder or simply get back into work, Sunemployment is here to support you each week with the best, free, expert advice.
Today, we’ve teamed up with CV Builder to share their top tips for finding a new job in the New Year.
UPDATE YOUR CV
THE flair for writing one is to decide what to include — and what to leave out — for each individual role you apply for. Search cv-library.co.uk/career-advice/cv/cv-templates/ to find the template best suited to the relevant sector.
TAILOR APPLICATIONS
WHILE it might be easy to fire off the same CV for every job, it won’t improve your chances of landing an interview.
Tailor yours, and cover letter if applicable, to reflect the skills and attributes the job advert asks for. It will take more time but return better results.
TRANSFER TACTICS
NO direct experience in the position you are applying for?
Mention useful transferable skills such as communication, problem solving and adaptability, with examples, which can help fill any gaps in your skillset.
This is essential to beat AI systems which sift applications to find the best match.
HEADER HEROES
MAKE sure your CV has clear headers outlining your key skills, career history and qualifications, but also make it personal. Avoid meaningless jargon and inject your own personality.
GET YOURSELF FOUND
UPLOAD your CV onto jobs boards and update your LinkedIn profile to help hiring managers discover you.
GROW YOUR NETWORK
MANY jobs never get to the stage of being advertised or available online, so knowing the right people is still vital.
Connect with others you have worked with, join online discussions, attend relevant conferences and events and make the effort to meet like-minded professionals.
Then keep those connections going. Check in, ask for advice, be helpful to others. Most people are happy to help if you ask in the right way.
This might feel like a long game, but it can really pay off if you put the effort in.
BOOST YOUR SKILLS
EMPLOYERS love to see people who are taking an active role in their own career development, so invest in online courses and read up on your industry so you know the key trends and developments for 2025.
VOLUNTEER
IF you are out of work, volunteering can bring new experiences and skills, and will be viewed positively by prospective employers.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
WHETHER you are preparing for interview or writing your CV, find out all you can about the organisation you are applying to.
Look at company websites, social media or LinkedIn. You can also ask an AI tool such as ChatGPT for a summary of financial reports or challenges facing the sector.
But make sure you fact check that the answer is correct.
PREP FOR INTERVIEWS
THIS is your time to shine, so be sure to practise and prep properly. Research who you are meeting, understand the role and the industry and think about the questions you might be asked.
Ensure you have a bank of really clear examples of work you have done, or situations you can reference, that help to showcase your expertise.
For instance, be ready with examples of where you overcame a challenge but still delivered, or where you had to collaborate successfully with others.
If you are doing a presentation or task in an interview, leave time to spell check and make it look polished.
Silly mistakes can quickly undermine good work.
THE triple approach paid off when Chikondi Chamveka from Bristol wanted to launch a new career.
She took action on three fronts – upskilling, volunteering and networking.
The 28-year-old said: “If you want to find a new job for the new year, now is the time to start. Use the festive break to assess your skill set, then set about upskilling and retraining.
“After relocating to the UK from Malawi, I discovered Click Start from the Institute of Coding, which helped me upskill and build my career.
“The classes, employability workshops, and coaching sessions shaped my resume and prepared me for the workforce. I also took on two volunteer roles, attended networking events, and enrolled in the British Computer Society programme to enhance my digital skills and I now have a role as an insurance advisor with Lloyds Banking Group, one of the UK’s largest employers.”
STRUGGLNG to switch off over Christmas? Around half of UK workers will check in on work during their time off, but getting some downtime is essential if you’re ready to perform your best in the New Year.
Here LinkedIn career expert Zara Easton shares her advice for a silent night or two away from work this Christmas holiday.
She said: “It’s important to take breaks to avoid burnout at work. During the festive season, many of us will be looking forward to some well-earned time off to spend with family and friends.
“However, it’s not always that simple. UK workers, particularly women, admit they feel the need to check in with work – even when they are on annual leave. It can be hard to switch off, but it’s very important for your mental health – and your career – to take this time away without feeling guilty or checking in.”
lEnsure you leave a clear handover: Don’t overload teams with too much information, don’t offer a colleague’s help without running it by them first.
lTell external clients and contacts who to contact: Craft a clear and concise OOO message and check it for typos, as it’s being broadcast to the outside world not just internally.
lTurn off the tech: Switching off notifications on your workplace apps and email are a good way to enforce these boundaries for yourself. If you still feel tempted to check in, try deleting those apps from your phone. The additional effort you put into checking on work can help make you less likely to do it as frequently.
lRediscover what energises you: Time off isn’t just an escape from work, it’s an opportunity to reconnect with yourself. Use your holiday to truly unplug – ditch the to-do lists and embrace activities that bring you energy. Explore nature, lose yourself in a good book, or spend quality time with family and friends.
lLook to the future: By paying attention to what energises you, you will be reminded of what you need to prioritise to achieve a work-life balance, setting you up to be more productive and motivated on your return.
MAKE the most of your 2025 annual leave allowance. Research from Away Resorts claims most full-time workers can push up the average 28 days off to 60 days by booking certain key dates as holiday.
In January, book 2nd and 3rd to take advantage of the New Year bank holiday.
During April, take four days off in the two weeks either side of Easter. You will use up eight days of holiday but gain 16 days off.
May has a double bank holiday but taking off four days on the week of the Early May bank holiday and the later Spring bank holiday will use up eight days of your leave allowance but you’ll enjoy 18 days away from work.
August bank holiday is on the 25th, so taking holiday from 26th to 29th gets you nine days off.
Next Christmas falls on a Thursday, so book 22nd to 24th then 29th to 31st off, to ensure a fortnight’s festive holiday.
IS your office pooch top dog? Workplace design company Interaction has launched a competition to find Britain’s Best Office Dog.
The firm is inviting dog owners to nominate their canine colleagues and share a photo of their pets at work, to highlight the important role that dogs play in workplace wellbeing.
In the UK, households bought 3.2 million pets in lockdown and by supporting dog-friendly policies, companies can encourage these employees back into the office, while also reducing stress and improving engagement.
The company will crown a monthly winner throughout 2025 and the overall winner will be named next December and will clinch a luxurious two-night stay at one of Britain’s finest canine-friendly hotels.
Enter at interaction.uk.com/enter-britains-best-office-dog.
Caremark is recruiting for care assistants and care managers nationally. Search at caremark.co.uk/careers/
Applications are open for the Govia Thameslink engineering apprenticeship scheme. You need to apply before Jan 1, 2025. Find out more at gtrailwaycareers.com/jobs/apprenticeships/
