New Year, New Job? Three Tips to Get Started

The new year has arrived, and the memory of that Christmas break already feels a long way off. The inbox is full again, routines are back, and those ambitious New Year’s resolutions may be starting to feel like a stretch.

While it’s still too cold and dark to suddenly love early-morning runs, making positive moves in your career is often more achievable than you think.

If 2025 is the year you’re considering a change, here are three simple ways to kick-start your job search.

Update your CV

It’s not the most exciting job, but it’s an important one.

If you’ve been in the same role for a while, there’s a good chance your CV doesn’t reflect the professional you are today. Your responsibilities will have grown, your experience will be stronger, and you’ll have developed skills that probably aren’t properly captured on a document last updated years ago.

Taking the time to update your CV gives you a chance to reflect on what you’ve achieved, what you’re good at, and where you want to go next. That clarity can be invaluable when it comes to focusing your job search and spotting the right opportunities as they come up.

There’s also a practical benefit; once it’s done, it’s done. When a role appears that catches your eye, you’re ready to act, rather than scrambling to update your CV against a deadline.

If you need a starting point, take a look at our blogs Get your CV to the top of the pile, and CVs: 5 things to avoid.

Polish your LinkedIn profile

Your LinkedIn profile is often the first thing people see, and sometimes the reason they get in touch at all.

Unlike your CV, LinkedIn is always working in the background, helping you stay visible to recruiters, hiring managers, and former colleagues. A clear, up-to-date profile that properly reflects your experience and expertise makes it far easier for the right opportunities to find you.

Spending a bit of time refining your profile, updating your role descriptions, and highlighting your skills can make a real difference, especially in a market where many opportunities never make it to job boards.

Speak to a recruiter

If you’re thinking about a move this year, you don’t have to do it alone.

Working with a specialist recruiter can save you time, give you a clearer picture of the market, and introduce you to roles you wouldn’t otherwise see. At Harvey John, we take the time to get to know you and understand what you’re looking for, even if you’re not planning to move immediately.

You might not be actively applying, and we might not have the perfect role right away, but building that relationship early means you’ll be front of mind when the ideal opportunity does come along.

Choosing the right recruiter matters, so it’s worth taking the time to find one who understands your market and your goals.

The next steps

Rather than a long list of resolutions, take these three easy steps to change your future:

• Update your CV
• Polish your LinkedIn profile
• Get in touch with us about opportunities in the Accountancy, Tax & Treasury, or Legal fields.