Get that Job in 7 simple steps

Sounding pro

Usually, once a networking conversation has started, it looks after itself – it’s the getting going that feels like the most difficult part. Remember these basic rules:

Have an elevator pitch rehearsed.

Even if you don’t feel like it, smile!

Introduce yourself confidently, then ask about the other person.

Ask questions and make comments about the nature of their job and their organisation, if you can.

Turn the topic of attention to you at an appropriate point.

When the conversation reaches a natural close, end it politely and smile again! If it’s appropriate, give your contact details and ask them to get in touch if they hear of a suitable opportunity. Use your judgement. Did the other person seem to enjoy the conversation? Were they interested in what you had to say?

For more information on networking, see Successful Networking in 7 Simple Steps, published by HarperCollins.

Where else to find jobs

It’s fair to say that a large number of people get jobs – or at least hear about them – through their networks. Increasing the size and scope of yours will help you hear about those opportunities as they arise. Of course, you can’t only rely on your network – both real and virtual – to find job opportunities, even though it is a good strategy. Try to widen your search, and improve your chances of success, by considering avenues such as these:

Newspaper adverts: Look in all local papers, and even papers local to an area you would consider moving to.

Professional or specific industry magazines: As well as scanning advertisements, it’s a long shot to read an article and send a speculative letter, but you never know …

Libraries: These are a greatly under-used resource by job hunters. Some libraries have job advertisement areas, and some larger ones hold job-seeking seminars.

Job centres: One of the more obvious ways, but it’s definitely worth registering your interest and checking regularly. Bear in mind that it’s often jobs in the trades that are advertised in job centres.

Two of the most commonly used avenues are worth exploring in a bit more depth. Many people register with recruitment agencies, either specialist sector-specific ones or more generalist ones, and increasingly, job hunters are turning to internet job search sites to find opportunities.

Recruitment agencies

Some recruitment agencies are fabulous and are staffed by professionals who really want to help you find a job. And some are less good. But they are a useful resource for finding many types of job, and some organisations only advertise through specific agencies. As long as you understand that, like estate agents, they’re working primarily for their client, not you, and that they usually have an incredibly heavy workload so will tend to keep communication to a minimum, then there’s no harm in allowing them to help you. Follow these tips for dealing effectively with recruitment agencies:

Identify the most relevant recruitment agencies for the type of work or sector you’re interested in.

Be prepared to ask them questions about how the process works: what they require of you and what you can expect of them; how and when communication should be conducted and any advice they can give you.

Be clear about what you want – and only go for jobs you would be prepared to accept. If the agency puts you forward for a job that you subsequently turn down without a good reason, they’ll be unlikely to consider you again.

Always be honest: your reputation as someone who is straightforward to deal with is worth its weight in gold.

Make sure you come across to them and to any company you are referred to in a way that makes you look good: never be late; always be polite; present yourself appropriately.

Internet job search sites

Registering with internet job search sites has become an incredibly popular method of looking for work for one simple reason: everything is there in one place, to be accessed whenever and wherever you like. Employers can advertise vacancies and search through pre-uploaded CVs to see if there are any initial matches. Job hunters can get career advice through articles and online tutorials or webinars. They can also get advice on how to build an effective CV (although this advice may be tailored to the format they want for CVs to be uploaded to their particular site). And, of course, you can search for job vacancies – by job type or title, salary, location and specific organisation. You can also register to get immediate notification of vacancies sent directly to your phone or email address.

Some have links to related career services elsewhere, such as the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Open University, where you can get advice on flexible learning and development or enhancing and building on your qualifications. Others have links to – or even arrange themselves – career roadshows that travel around the country giving advice and putting job seekers and local employers together. These usually include masterclasses in CV writing and interview techniques. There are many of these internet job search sites, but some of the most popular are:

Monster (www.monster.co.uk (http://www.monster.co.uk))

Reed (www.reed.co.uk (http://www.reed.co.uk))

TotalJobs (www.totaljobs.com (http://www.totaljobs.com))

Fish4Jobs (www.fish4.co.uk (http://www.fish4.co.uk))

Finally, do remember to keep everything you have uploaded to these sites up to date.

Keeping motivated

Job hunting does require a certain amount of resilience, and keeping motivated when you’ve been rejected a few times can be difficult. It’s easy to take to heart stories you hear of people sending 100 job applications a day without success, but let’s put this into perspective. It’s far more efficient to channel your efforts, energy and motivation into a meaningful, targeted plan rather than a generic scattergun approach, and applying in this way is far more likely to keep your motivation higher. Creating a plan, sticking to it and reviewing regularly what’s working is going to keep your resilience levels up and your drive to achieve your end goal more focused.

Some people find keeping a diary is helpful for monitoring progress, but most at least find keeping some sort of written record of actions and results achieved useful. Ensure you make a note of progress achieved during the week – even if you haven’t got a firm end result you can usually identify steps you’ve made towards your end goal. Don’t underestimate the importance of celebrating even small wins and successes on your job hunting journey; it releases feel-good chemicals similar to the endorphins experienced by long-distance runners!

If you’re one of those individuals motivated by variety (see Step 2 (#ubbc5cd54-d7bb-56e3-ad23-6a6917c178c3)), then varying your approach during the week may keep your energy levels up. Pursuing a variety of avenues will not only increase your chances of success, but will have the knock-on effect of keeping your interest levels up too. It may take months to find a job that you really want (rather less if you’re prepared to take the view that being in any job is a good springboard to finding one you really want), so think about what will keep you going; don’t be one of the many people who give up after a couple of months. Your dedication to the process and your determination to succeed are likely to impress any subsequent interviewer – and would be a good example if asked the question: ‘When have you had to demonstrate resilience in achieving a goal?’

Key take-aways

Think about the things you will take away from Step 1 (#ue68a360f-13ce-5fac-bcaa-75eb489a56c1) and how you will implement them.

Step 2 (#ulink_10e2ba83-af1a-59aa-b484-fa2ff761a272)

UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU WANT (#ulink_10e2ba83-af1a-59aa-b484-fa2ff761a272)

‘There is no such thing as a career path. There is only crazy paving and you have to lay it yourself.’ — Sir Dominic Cadbury, former chairman of Cadbury, the chocolate manufacturer

Five ways to succeed

Think about where you would like to get to in the longer term.

Identify what interests you and how this may relate to jobs.

Determine your core values and what this means.

Clarify what would really motivate you at work.

Remember that work does not have to fulfil all your needs.

Five ways to fail

Never spend time thinking about your future.

Assume that work is what you do, not who you are.

Wait for that perfect job that is the answer to everything.