How to Find a Job as a Highly Skilled Worker

As a highly skilled worker, it can often be difficult to find jobs at the right level to suit your skills and experience. You may find yourself sifting through job boards, without any success. If you are struggling to find suitable employment, there are some pro-active steps you can take to find suitable employment.

Build Your Network

One of the most effective ways to find a job when you are highly skilled, is to build your network. The more people you have around you who know what you are looking for, the higher the likelihood of finding suitable employment. There are all kinds of ways to network. You can attend networking events, add contacts on LinkedIn, speak to friends/family and find out if they have any connections who might be able to help and join networking groups. With 85% of jobs being filled through networking, this seems like a worthwhile avenue to try!

Direct Contact

Make a list of companies you would be interested in working for and contact them directly. There are many employers who will create a job for a highly skilled candidate, even if there are no specific vacancies. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, the worst they can say is ‘no!’

Promote Brand

Think of yourself as a brand, rather than just a candidate. Your brand includes who you are, what skills you possess and what benefits you can bring to a business. You can promote your brand through your CV, and by taking advantage of social media and networking. If your brand is positive and reflects your true self, you will find that employers will naturally be more attracted to you and this can help you achieve great results in your job search.

Focused Job Search

It is much easier to find a new role if you focus your job search. If you are using job boards, make sure they cover highly skilled roles you are interested in. There are many job boards out there, but not many which focus on the highly skilled market.

Executive Recruiters

There are recruiters who specialise in the highly skilled market, so it is worth seeking these out during your job search. Executive recruiters tend to have more knowledge and expertise in skilled roles, so will be able to help support you with your job search.

Reconnect

Why not reconnect with ex colleagues/managers to find out if they have any opportunities available? They may be willing to fit you in somewhere or you may have gained skills since you left, which might put you in a position where you have more opportunities to choose from. Letting people know you’re on the market, is one of the most effective ways to get some help with your job search. After all, if they don’t know, how can they help? At  Qualified Finder, we specialise in the highly skilled workforce. If you are looking for your next opportunity, take a look at our available opportunities to find the right job for you, or sign up for our job alerts. If you have any comments/suggestions on this topic or any ideas for job seekers looking for their next role, we would love to hear from you.