What does your shopping list look like?

Danica Curran • July 27, 2021

How often do you head to the supermarket with your shopping list in hand, telling yourself that you will not veer from that specific list? Now, how often do you leave the supermarket with products that weren’t on the list?

My bet is more often than not. Why? Because something you weren’t planning to buy looked so good or an item wasn’t available, so you chose an alternative.

Most people have a similar mentality when job-hunting. I often see candidates with a set list of wants and they aren’t willing to be flexible. These candidates are the ones that struggle to find work in many cases.

I’m not saying it’s a bad thing to have a list. A list is a great tool to help guide your recruiter when looking for the best suited opportunity. But that’s just it, your list should be a guide only.

When looking for your next opportunity as you are putting together your ‘shopping list’, keep these points in mind:

  • Industry - When looking at the industries you would like to work in, some people only include industries they have had exposure to in the past and therefore exclude the bulk of opportunities out there. Instead, try opening up your options by only excluding those industries that you are absolutely opposed to.

  • Position - When looking for a new role, I see many candidates getting caught up in the position title. Targeting your search around just a title can often leave you wanting. You may find that the position is not all it’s cracked up to be. Instead – target the duties and responsibilities involved in the role. Doing this allows you to look outside of your “shopping list” whilst still getting everything you want out of the position.

  • Salary - We all agree it’s nice to get more money when you go into a new position. It’s an added bonus for us recruiters to be able to get it for you too. Having said this, not all businesses have the same budgets. You may be potentially excluding a role that is perfect for you because it is $2.5K less than what you wrote down on your list. That is less than $50 per week before tax. Is that $50 worth missing out on an amazing position, especially if it’s with an organisation that offers future growth opportunities?

  • Be realistic - This is the most important aspect when looking for a new opportunity. Most positions out there do require experience or transferable skills. If your career is built on digital marketing for example and you are targeting a legal secretary’s role, it’s going to be nearly impossible to facilitate such a change without transferable skills or relevant study. If you want to completely change your career, you need to be willing to put in the work to get there.

Thinking seriously about these points will help you and your recruiter build a better relationship as you progress along your job-hunting journey. Next time meet with your recruiter, keep these in mind and have an open conversation. You may suddenly find that you will have a lot more opportunities presented to you.

‘Shopping lists’ are not bad. In fact, they are very useful for us recruiters. You just need to be flexible. If you learn to swap some ingredients, you may make the end result a little sweeter!

Find the job you love I Find the right talent
Get in touch with people2people

Australia   I   United Kingdom

In business since 2002 in Australia, NZ, and the United Kingdom, people2people is an award-winning recruitment agency with people at our heart. With over 12 offices, we specialise in accounting and finance, business support, education, executive, government, HR, legal, marketing and digital, property, sales, supply chain, and technology sectors. As the proud recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Large Agency and Excellence in Candidate Care Awards, we are dedicated to helping businesses achieve success through a people-first approach.



Share insights

Recent articles

By Sharna Bryant July 3, 2025
Australia’s sales job market is holding steady, even as economic pressures shape new candidate behaviours and expectations. In this update, SEEK’s Danny Merrigan reveals why salary review conversations now top the list of priorities and which roles are driving hiring activity. Learn what’s shaping recruitment success
By Leanne Lazarus June 30, 2025
The HR sector in Australia and New Zealand is entering 2025 with a strong focus on employee experience, flexible benefits, and leadership development. Amid improvements in turnover and salary strategies, HR teams remain stretched thin. This update highlights how companies are adapting to ongoing resource constraints while investing in people-first practices.
By Peta Seaman June 26, 2025
South Australia's property sector faced one of its most disruptive years in recent history, with sweeping legal reforms, economic pressures, and shifting tenant and investor behaviours. In this update, industry leaders explore how agencies adapted to short-notice legislation, rising vacancies, and new buyer demographic
By Peta Seaman June 23, 2025
The property and real estate industry is navigating a complex 2025, with rising reliance on AI and persistent staffing gaps. While growth plans are in place, companies face challenges in recruiting key talent and adapting benefits strategies. This update explores how the sector is balancing optimism with operational pressure and what employers are doing to stay ahead.
By Sharna Bryant June 18, 2025
Discover the latest developments in Australia’s sales sector, where AI integration and talent acquisition are reshaping the industry. With expansion plans underway and evolving skills in demand, this update explores how companies are navigating recruitment challenges and preparing for 2025. Learn which roles are most in demand, what benefits are attracting top talent, and how businesses are responding to ongoing turnover.

Latest Media Features


Get in touch

Find out more by contacting one of our specialisat recruitment consultants across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Contact us