Breaking Free in 2023

Attention, ladies and gentlemen. 2023 has entered the building!

With Dry January casting its pesky shadow over the month ahead, we’re hearing it everywhere  – “New year, new you!” Okay, it’s a cliché, but we’re not being facetious either, because it’s traditionally the time to make new resolutions, and for good reason – the first days of the year are perfect for reflection and renewal.

And as if to underline that fact, research from the CIPD and the University of Birmingham indicates that more than 6.5 million people in the UK expect to quit their job in 2023 and search for a new role.

That’s a whopping number, and what’s more revealing yet is that better pay and benefits are only half the story – because whether you’re a fresh-faced junior artworker, an enigmatic 3D visualiser, or an architect with world domination in mind, the experts have concluded that you’re also looking for increased job satisfaction and a better career-life balance.

Does this strike a chord? Then read on, because there are some notorious pitfalls we’re anxious for you to avoid, as well as some sage advice for hunting down the role of your dreams.

At the top of your to-do list it should be written in bold, “Vacuum clean your CV”. Your CV is your calling card and potential foot in the door, so make sure that its superficial appearance is as hot as its contents. Jacques Buffet, a professional résumé writer, has put together a brilliant and bang up-to-date guide for writing a standout CV here, so take a good look and see how your own holds up to scrutiny.

With your CV ready to high-five, Rebecca Fraser-Thill would like to know if your network is nice and warm. No, she’s not being cheeky. Rebecca asked this very important question in a recent article for Forbes, because as she points out, the best jobs are filled through networking. This is where we can really help you. At mustard, our divisions have nurtured formidable networks, and will put most others in the shade. If you suspect that your own isn’t up to scratch, then get in touch, as it’s our mission to ensure your success.

At this point, you should simultaneously be doing some homework. It’s incredibly important that you have your destination in sharp focus, so sit yourself down with a herbal tea (it’s Dry January, as if we could forget!), and write down the following:

• Why do you want to change your job?
• Which specific skills and experience are you bringing with you?
• What unique and positive change can you bring to a potential employer?
• What gaps are there in your knowledge and skill set, and how to go about improving them?

• Are you committed to the change? If you really want it, a prospective employer will spot it a mile off. Enthusiasm and excitement are recruitment Viagra, so get saucy with your attitude!

• What is the exact role you have in mind? If you’re daydreaming about ‘something different within the creative industry’, it’s time to wake up and smell the coffee. If you can’t narrow it down, you’ll be feeling around in the dark.

Once you’ve nailed all of this, then getting your next job is a matter of time. At mustard we’re here to speed up the whole ‘breaking free’ process. Whether you’re in marketing, event design, VFX or are a BIM coordinator, we’ve got a specific division to help you out.