Category: Companies information

Ten steps to an effective job search

1. Take your time to think Many people rush into job searches and apply for positions in which they have little interest or are unlikely to be pre-selected. Not only will this guarantee rejection, it will undermine your confidence. One of the biggest mistakes is using your best contacts too early when you are not clear on how they can help you. It is critical to take the time to self-analyze and observe your confidence levels; consider how equipped you feel to summarize your strengths.

2. Try to find the balance Before you become a self-selling marketing machine, think about yourself.

• Do you know what you’re looking for?
• What job titles are relevant to you?
• Can you list your top skills?
• Have you achieved enough?
• What companies are you attracted to and why?

Don’t start your job search until you have answers to all of these questions.

3. Be resilient Even in a dynamic market, rejection is common; in today’s economy, you’ll hear no more than you’ll hear yes. To maintain your confidence and avoid becoming a desperate beggar desperate to take anything, cultivate resilience. But don’t waste it by applying for jobs far outside your skill range where you’re unlikely to get any kind of response. Contact two or three trusted people you can meet with regularly to remind them what you’re good at, it will broaden your thinking and help you pick yourself up when you get the inevitable setbacks.

4. Gather evidence Before you start writing your personal story (CV) or interviewing, list the raw material of your past, unedited. Make an unfiltered list of what you’ve done. Go through every part of your experience that looks like work, including part-time, temporary, unpaid jobs and internships. List all the skills you learned and practiced, the sectors in which you have work experience, and anything that looks like an accomplishment (see below). Then note volunteering, your studies and activities outside of work. Try to gather several pages of material before deciding what the main message of your CV is.

5. Choose your main message Any, but that identifies you, it is advisable to transmit between three or four elements of information about you:

• Your experience
• Your ability
• Your personality, you have more control over this process than you think.

Examine the first sentences of your CV. Make sure they are positive, memorable and clearly describe what you want to achieve. How likely is someone to repeat this information? Do you make it clear what you have to offer and the type of role you would like to perform? Emphasize these messages in your CV, social media profile and what you say when you network.

6. Do research before start There’s no use trying to impress employers if you don’t have the information that will generate the most impact. Do your background homework before you make any kind of approach: at least two hours of research. If you are called for an interview, do your research even more thoroughly. Don’t just repeat information from the organization’s website, try to talk to people who know what the organization is trying to achieve and the type of people they are currently looking for. If you’re trying to make a career change, look for people who have made the leap before you, learn the shortcuts and avoid the bear traps.

7. Conduct a market test Don’t be under the illusion that you should send out your CV extensively in the early stages of your job search. It’s far better to talk to people about your career ideas and gather information than to send a poorly written document, it will close more doors than it opens. You may be secretly pleased with your CV, but it’s vital to show it to someone with hiring experience. Ask for feedback rather than an opinion. For example, don’t ask “what do you think of my CV?”, ask “what does my CV tell you about what I can do next?” If the answer is brief and makes sense, your CV is probably working.

8. Get feedback outside the process Many job applicants waste real job interviews as practice sessions. Interviews are hard enough to get; don’t waste them by making basic mistakes. Find someone who has experience interviewing to give you honest feedback on first impressions, how you tie your experience to the job being offered, and how well you handle tough questions. Practice short, upbeat answers to tough questions about gaps in your CV or why you are currently looking for a job. Don’t ignore vital job-related topics or boring but obvious questions, such as ‘tell us about your strengths and weaknesses’.

9. List your target companies People need examples of different types of organizations they might be interested in. This is even more important if you are trying to make a career change; you will be a much more credible candidate if you have researched the industry in-depth and can say something about the major players. It’s also smart to identify employers in your locality. Create a list of six or so target organizations and spend time each week learning more about them, trying to approach them through mutual connections, exploring job boards and generally doing everything you can to present yourself as a potential employee.

10. Use a multi-channel approach Make direct approaches to organizations that are not currently advertising, build relationships with the right Recruitment companies, talk to people in interesting roles and sectors and research like crazy. At least once a week, get dressed up, find someone you can practice talking to about you and what you’re looking for. It will maintain your confidence levels and ensure you are remembered. Above all, don’t kid yourself that spending all day in front of a computer screen is the best use of your time; get in front of people too.

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