Are you in love with your current job – or looking for the love of your life?

It's that time of year again. You know – the time of year you focus your attention on your relationships. And, whilst you likely have a number of personal relationships to think about, there's another one you should also consider: your relationship with your job. From being totally committed to your position to being open to new opportunities or single and ready to mingle, where does your job relationship status fall?

In honour of Valentine's Day, TopCV asked more than 300 UK employees to describe their relationship status with their job. Participants were presented with four options to express their commitment to their current job:

  • Open Relationship: “I have a job, but I'm open to new opportunities.”
  • Committed Relationship: “I love my job and am not looking for other opportunities.”
  • It's Complicated: “I don't love my job, but I'm not sure if it's time to jump ship.”
  • Unspecified: “I'm unsure how I feel about my current job.”

Below are the results:TopCV Infographic: Relationship Status with Current Job

The results revealed that 57% of UK employees are in an "open relationship" with their current job and an additional 9% consider their status to be "complicated" at this point. In addition, 20% find themselves in a happy and "committed relationship" with their job⁠ — a considerabe contrast to the US workforce's 7%. 

Yet, before you get too comfortable in your current position, there's something to keep in mind: the future is unknown. According to our careers expert, Amanda Augustine, "Of course, everyone wants to find a job they love; however even those who are 'committed' to their current employer should always be prepared for the unexpected, whether that comes along in the form of an attractive job lead or an unforeseen P45."

Regardless of whether you're looking for something new or only have eyes for your current job, there are a few ways that you can lay the groundwork for your next career move:

Conduct job-search reconnaissance 

If you're "single" and in the thick of the job search or eagerly looking for a new opportunity, then you've probably already started this step. And even if you're in a happy and fulfiling relationship with your current job, that doesn't mean you should ignore what's happening in the job market.

Instead, create saved searches on job boards that cater to your profession, reconnect with former colleagues, and actively network with those in your field and in other divisions at your current company to learn about opportunities, advertised or not, that are available to someone with your qualifications and job goals. The more research you do now, the more prepared you'll be if you need to start up your job hunt again.

Keep your CV updated 

When's the best time to edit your CV? When you don't need to use it immediately and there's no pressure or deadline hanging over you. You're also more likely to have access to the necessary information to include in your CV to quantify your contributions whilst you're still employed, so take advantage of that. Set aside one hour every four to six months to update your CV to include your recent job details, as well as to support your current goals. Then, request a free CV review to ensure that your document is effectively reflecting your expertise.

If you're in the midst of a career transition or simply having no luck with your job hunt, then you may want to consider one of our TopCV writers to help you with your CV. From keyword-optimising your CV to showcasing your most impressive credentials and quantifying your achievements, our CV writers know how to get you through the door.

Audit your "online brand"

We know – Googling yourself is something you would rather not do. But in this digital age, it's not enough to have a polished CV; to attract the right employers, you need to merchandise your talents consistently on paper and online. That means you must Google yourself during the job search. This includes entering your name, exactly as it appears on your CV, and reviewing the search results to determine whether or not your online presence aligns with your professional brand. You may need to alter parts of your profiles or hide them entirely from public view.

This is also the time to create or update your LinkedIn profile so that prospective employers, HR managers and other potentially valuable networking contacts can find you. Be certain to adjust your privacy settings first, however, so your edits aren't broadcast to your existing connections. You don't want your boss or co-workers finding out about your impending job search through an online notification.

So, take a look at your relationship with your job – and start preparing yourself for possible next steps. From chasing the job you love to staying put where you are, it's important that you have a base to start with whatever you decide to do.

Not sure if your CV is ready to help you land a job you love? Check with a free CV review today!

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