Simple ways to stand out from the crowd on a job hunt

10 STEPS TO SECURING YOUR DREAM ROLE AND MAKING MORE MONEY IN 2025, FROM A RECRUITMENT INSIDER

- 

THE start of a year sees a surge in job searches, with many people reflecting on finances and determined to change their career.

Recruitment expert James Reed, chairman and CEO of Reed, says securing a different role is life-changing and not just when it comes to your bank balance.

He says: "We spend one third of our adult lives at work and your job will also determine your income, where you live, much of your social life, your standing in your community and even potentially your life partner.

"Nearly one in five of us meet our spouses at work."

From a lifetime spent working in recruitment, here are James's top 10 tips for those planning to look for a new job in 2025:

1. Get your CV in shape

James's research suggests that typically, employers spend no more than seven seconds looking at each CV when sifting though applications.

"These days, they may even be initially assessed using AI", says James.

"So you have a very limited opportunity to make your mark.

"I always advise people to make the first part of their CV a personal statement, explaining who you are and what you can offer in one succinct paragraph.

"A CV must be tailored to the job you're applying for. If it's a sales position, you should emphasise any sales experience you have, or if it's administration, your management skills."

While it's important to show what you have to offer a potential employer, there is a line to be drawn.

James says: "Never lie on a CV. Yes, everyone wants to present themselves in the best possible light, but any falsehoods have a habit of catching up with you."

2. Have the right referees

"In a competitive jobs market, more than ever employers take references up," says James.