Once upon a time, recruitment was ‘relatively’ straightforward. A CV came in, someone picked up the phone, a conversation happened, and if there was interest on both sides, a meeting followed.

Decisions were made quickly, based on experience, education, cultural fit, and human connection. Today, finding a new job can feel more like tackling an obstacle course.

Why is your personal brand shaping your career long before you start looking for your next move?

If you ask people what drives career progression, the answers tend to be predictable. Qualifications, experience, and performance are all important, but they’re not the full picture.

Opportunities often come down to something far less conventional, like who knows you? What do they know about you? And what do they say when you’re not in the room?

That’s your personal brand. And whether you’re actively looking for a job or not, it’s shaping your career.

As we approach the end of another academic year, very soon, the job market will prepare for an influx of fresh and enthusiastic academics looking for their first career break.

While the majority of recruitment is on hold until the coronavirus crisis plays out, the search to find new employment continues for a growing number of people. 

There are many different ways to identify talent and it often pays to read between the lines in a CV.