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How To Prepare Yourself For Your Next Better Job

By Perminus Wainaina

Job searching need not be a depressing time in your career, especially if you plan well. Unfortunately, many of us don’t prepare.

We wait for external events to happen like being retrenched or declared redundant and only then do we embark on the job search process.

The problem with waiting for others to determine your fate is that when you embark on the search, you are never in the right frame of mind and there’s a high likelihood of making mistakes that prolong your job search.

Even if you didn’t see an eventuality like losing your job, it pays to always plan for your next move.

In this article, I’ll share top tips on how you can prepare yourself for your next (and hopefully better) job, and why you need to start today.

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1. Define what you want.

Do you want more money, career growth, status or a better working environment? I am sure you know of a friend who is always talking of how they’d like to change jobs but if you ask them the specific reason why or what they want, they probably don’ have a clue.

It’s not enough to want a new job. You must be clear about what you want. What if it’s a case of from the frying pan into the fire?

From today start defining what you want. If it’s a salary, put a figure to it, say a 30% increase. If it’s growth, is it that you want to get into a managerial position or growth in terms of learning new skills? Being specific makes you confident. You are also able to evaluate employers and think through their offers. It also raises your self-esteem and you no longer appear as a desperate job seeker out to settle for any opening.

Are you clear on what you want? Write it down.

2. Define Timeliness

Having been clear on your expectations, the next step is to determine the period it will take to achieve your objectives and when you’d like to have made a move.

Here, you have to be realistic.

If you’ve never been a manager but you are now looking to be one, it might mean attending many interviews as not all potential employers will believe you are a good match.

If you are earning 60K and now you want 90K, ask yourself what kinds of companies pay such amounts, and start approaching them.

And remember the higher your goals, the more the likelihood it will take more time.

If it’s not for money but to escape a toxic work environment, then you can get a job easily as many employers can accommodate your request.

On average, it will take you six months of working hard to nail a new and better job. If you are desperate and willing to settle on anything, it is possible to get a job much faster.

Good things come to those who plan and wait.

3. Perform a SWOT analysis.

SWOT is an acronym for strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats.

You have to benchmark the requirements of whatever you are eyeing to what you have. What are your strengths? It could be your level of education, the kind of company you work for, your personality, among others.

When it comes to weaknesses, I define it as a job requirement that you lack. For example, if I am looking to be a manager in my next job but I have never supervised formally then lack of supervisory skills is my weakness.

Negative work habits also count as weaknesses. For instance, are you often late, are you disorganized, do you have a short temper, or are you poor at handling stress?

For opportunities, it could be internal or external. Do you have situations you can take advantage of or utilize to your benefit? For example, what trends do you see in your company or industry, and how can you take advantage of them? Is there a colleague going on leave? Could you take on some of this person’s projects to gain experience?

Threats are obstacles that have the potential of preventing you from achieving your goal.

A few examples: Are any of your colleagues competing with you for projects or roles? Is your job (or the demand for the things you do) changing? Does changing technology threatening your position (think of traditional taxis and Uber)? Could any of your weaknesses lead to threats? Performing a career SWOT analysis will help you position yourself differently.

4. Come Up With A Work Plan.

How are you going to accomplish whatever you’ve set to do? As the name suggests, it’s a plan of action.

Some of the things you should capture include reviewing and updating your CV, reaching out to your networks, polishing up your LinkedIn profile and allocating time to visit different job sites.

Job search is a full-time affair and should be approached strategically.

If you are lacking in an area, then this is a good time to fix any shortcomings. For example, if you are shy and don’t perform well you can take up a public speaking class and improve on your effective communication skills.

If there’s a key job requirement that you lack i.e. training in a specific area, then you should find time to update your skills.

If you are planning to travel to Mombasa from Nairobi you have to make plans if you expect a successful journey. You have to think of the mode of transport, cost, date, and how fast you want to reach your destination.

All these variables have a strong influence on the kind of journey you’ll have. Job search is not any different. Ensure that you take control of the things you can.

Hope has never been a good strategy!

133 Comments

  12. Waaooh…thanks Perminus. Quite helpful. The small things that we take for granted is what helps us go a long way.

  24. this is so resourceful, thank you for your advice, being in the job searching market for 2 years this might finally help me

  25. A good article. Will do a thorough SWOT analysis of my career journey. Graduated in 2002 and have been seeking for a job without succeeding. I only get few days/months contracts which are not fulfilling. Will visit your offices for assistance.

    Thank you in advance

  27. A good article. Am really thinking of progressing with my job career though I am actively employed.
    Will do a SWOT analysis and make a clear decision.
    Thank you for this.

  30. Good article and very educative.please am searching for jobs advice me or on how to get increment or promoted.thank you.

  31. Good article and very educative.please am searching for jobs advice me or on how to get increment or promoted.thank you.

  51. Thanks alot Mr wanaina, iam seriously looking for a mechanical technician job, and I do always preparing my self for an interview if they might need me. i have a seven years experience in a cement factory. I think you can assist me.
    thanks for your article

  52. What a good advice, you’ve indeed given me the courage of working harder in job searching and not giving yp easily. Thanks a lot.

  60. Thank you for that. Truly helpful. Im currently looking for a job and i think im better equiped now.

  65. Quite a lightening. I have a question though, do you know of any job coaches and advisors? If so,I would love to know one in person.
    All in all,the article is quite educating and a big enlightenment.

  71. Kudos for your lovly piece of advice. Hope to meet you soon for more tips.

  73. wow, a real eye opener. I have definitely learnt a lot like applying SWOT analysis (never though of applying that strategy).

    thank you.

  78. Indeed this is very captivating and encouraging.Keep up the spirit.Thanks.

  79. the article has really changed ma way of seeings thanks.its a wonderful one ….thanks

  91. How do you connect your clients to new job

    opportunities?is there any posipo way of networking on our behalf,thanks..

  102. Glad to be registered with a head hunter that provides more than jobs. This is advice one would pay lots of money for, yet its free.

    Big up Mr. Wainaina for seeing the bigger picture and adding value to your organisation.

  122. Thenx for that piece of advice.it is well said.my request is you to help me get the job I wil get suitable working environment
    regards
    Rose abua

  128. Good morning,
    To begin with, much appreciation for the piece of advice you have shared. I would like to be assisted in job search, this is because I feel am not being remunerated the way I should.
    I would be glad to receive your assistance.

    kind regards
    George Wachira.

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