How to Find a New Job

How to Find a New Job: A Holistic Approach for Women in the Workplace: 

Finding a new job can be an exciting yet overwhelming journey, especially for women in the workplace. It's easy to focus solely on the "what"—what type of job you want, what companies you're interested in, and what positions you could apply for.

However, at the Women at Work Support Hub, we believe it's just as important to understand why you're looking for a new job in the first place. Taking a step back to explore your motivations and values, as well as how these fit with your career goals, can help ensure you not only find a job, but find one that truly aligns with your purpose and aspirations. 

Understanding Your “Why”: What’s Driving Your Job Search? 

Before jumping into job applications, it’s crucial to understand why you feel the need to make a change. Are you looking for a better work-life balance? Are you feeling unfulfilled in your current role? Do you crave new challenges or the opportunity to work in an industry that aligns more closely with your passions? At the Women at Work Support Hub, we take time to help you reflect on these questions. By addressing your motivations first, we can help you gain clarity and confidence, ensuring that your next job is more than just a paycheck—it’s an opportunity to align your career with your deeper sense of purpose. 

Clarifying Your Purpose: Using Ikigai to Find Your North Star:

Once we understand your reasons for seeking a new job, we use the Ikigai concept to help you discover your purpose—your "North Star." Ikigai, a Japanese term that roughly translates to "a reason for being," is a powerful framework for identifying a career that’s both meaningful and fulfilling. It combines four key elements: 

What You Love (Your Passion):

What excites and energizes you? What are the things that you feel truly passionate about? These are the activities, causes, or roles that you are naturally drawn to. 

What You’re Good At (Your Strengths):

What are your natural talents or skills? These can be hard skills (like data analysis or project management) or soft skills (such as communication, empathy, or leadership). Recognising your strengths helps you align your job search with what you excel at, which is key to long-term job satisfaction. 

What the World Needs (What You Can Give Back):

What contributions do you want to make to the world? This could be something small like helping others, or it could involve making a broader impact through the work you do. Understanding how your job can serve a larger purpose can increase your sense of fulfilment and help guide your career path. 

What You Can Be Paid For (Your Profession):

Of course, it's important to consider what roles exist in the job market that pay you for your skills. Finding a balance between your passion, strengths, and what you can be compensated for is key to creating a sustainable and meaningful career. 

By reflecting on these four components of Ikigai, you’ll not only gain clarity about what drives you, but you’ll also be able to start thinking about what kind of job you want to pursue that aligns with your passions, strengths, and personal values. Ikigai can act as your career compass, helping to direct your job search and ensure that you find a role that feels truly rewarding. 

Crafting Your Perfect Job: Combining Purpose with Practicality:

Once you've explored your Ikigai and have clarity on your passions, strengths, and purpose, the next step is to craft your ideal job. This involves combining your deeper desires with practical realities. What are the job titles or roles that align with your Ikigai? What industries excite you? What type of work environment will support your wellbeing and personal growth? By merging your purpose-driven insights with a strategic approach to job roles, you’ll be able to identify not just any job, but one that truly resonates with your values and long-term aspirations. 

Job Search Strategy: Finding the Right Fit:

With your ideal role and purpose in mind, it's time to work on a strategy to find the job. The job search process can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategy, you can approach it with clarity and focus. At the Women at Work Support Hub, we guide you through: 

Targeting the Right Companies:

We help you identify companies that share your values, align with your purpose, and offer the work environment you're seeking. Our approach ensures that you’re not just looking for any job, but for one that’s a true fit for your aspirations. 

Networking and Connections:

Networking can be one of the most effective ways to find a new job. We provide tips on how to build and leverage your professional network, helping you open doors to opportunities that may not be publicly advertised. 

Tailored Job Applications:

We help you craft applications that stand out. Your CV and cover letter will not just be a list of your skills and qualifications, but a story of who you are, what you’re passionate about, and why you’re the perfect fit for the job. We work with you to design a CV that tells your unique story and highlights your strengths. 

Ongoing Support: Interview Prep and Assessment Centres:

Preparing for interviews can be one of the most stressful parts of the job search process, but it doesn’t have to be. At the Women at Work Support Hub, we offer ongoing support to help you feel confident and prepared. We provide: 

• Interview Coaching: We’ll help you prepare for interviews by providing tips and role-playing common questions. Our approach focuses on building your confidence, refining your answers, and preparing you to showcase your skills and values clearly and effectively. 

• Assessment Centres: If your job search involves assessment centres, we offer practical guidance on how to navigate these situations, from group exercises to psychometric tests. We ensure you're prepared for every aspect of the selection process. 

  
  

Ongoing Coaching and Mentoring:

The job search process doesn’t stop once you’ve secured an interview or received a job offer. At the Women at Work Support Hub, we offer coaching and mentoring throughout your career journey. Whether you’re navigating your first day in a new job or facing challenges in a new role, we provide the support and resources you need to thrive. 

A Holistic Approach to Job Searching:

The Women at Work Support Hub isn’t just another career coaching service. We take a holistic approach to your job search. Our method focuses not just on securing a job, but on ensuring that the job you get is the right one for you—one that aligns with your passions, strengths, and values. By helping you gain clarity on your purpose and guiding you through the job search process step by step, we aim to empower you to make intentional and impactful career choices. 

If you’re ready to start your job search with a clear sense of purpose and direction, we’re here to help. Visit our services page to learn more about how we can support you in finding a job that’s not just a paycheck, but a fulfilling and purpose-driven career.