•A keyword search will be used, so include as many keywords as possible.
•Be selective and spend time on the closest matches of your skills to the position, rather than sending unfocused letters to many.
•Carefully read the ad and ensure your letter and CV closely match their requirements.
•Respond promptly and log the date so you can follow up. Jobs may be removed before the closing date if the company is swamped with applicants.
If you get a reject/regret letter, ask for feedback. Most of the time you won’t get it, but occasionally you’ll get a reply that will help with future applications.
Recruitment Companies
How to increase your chance of success
•It’s imperative to build a good working relationship with your consultant so they will work for you. Don't hassle them but make sure you stay in touch.
•You can do a direct marketing approach to selected recruiters, clearly spelling out your strengths and what you are seeking.
The Hidden Job Market
We’ll cover this in depth in Section 5. This is the most common way that people find jobs, but an approach that many use ineffectively. When you get in touch, a company may or may not have a job vacancy, but companies are always on the lookout for stars and you just might be the one!
How to increase your chance of success
•Networking will help you to find out more about the job and other job possibilities; look for ways you can help others, then they will be more likely to help you.
•Be on the look out for problems you can help an organisation solve. You can identify these via news reports in the press.
•Write a targeted letter and follow up.
•Research companies to approach by using a business library and online research methods.
•Find details of smaller companies in your chosen area through your local chamber of commerce.
Networking
How to increase your chance of success
•Let people know what you are looking for.
•Look for ways to help them, either now or in the future
•Don’t forget online networking such as using LinkedIn.
•Clearly identify your contacts and prioritise the people you will approach first.
•Document the results of your meeting; be polite and thank people for their help.
•Ask for more referrals.
•Keep people informed on how you are getting on.
Self-employment
Do you have the personal qualities to set up your own business? It’s best to first talk to a career coach, especially if you are considering going into business for the first time. If you want to pursue this further you can get helpful advice from Business Link: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk
Consultancy/ freelance work
If you are able to get some consultancy work or a short term assignment, it might lead to a new career. Professionals may be able to get occasional work as holiday cover, or be called upon for peaks of work. When I started working for myself, before I started gaining clients I was doing freelance work with a number of different firms. Two days a month with a couple of different companies was quite lucrative. As I was developing my own business I had the flexibility to cover at short notice. Could you offer your services to local companies? Think about how you could help small businesses, perhaps.
There are many sites where you can sell your services on an ad hoc basis, such as www.elance.com, www.ifreelance.com, and www.odesk.com.
Voluntary work
You probably don’t want to work for free, but offering your services to a charity, can help you develop skills, remain active, meet people and demonstrate your energy, humanity, and ‘can do’ attitude to any and all potential employers. It’s also a great way of developing skills to help you move into a new area. You also get to meet a range of people, thus extending your network.
Voluntary work can also be at a professional level. If you are an unemployed communications executive or business analyst, could you use these skills within a not-for-profit organisation?
As I mentioned earlier, Richard unexpectedly gained transferable skills from voluntary work with the Citizens Advice Bureau, concerning dealing with and solving people’s problems quickly and effectively.
Internships
Many companies offer unpaid internships, but some are paid! Internships can work if you have clear objectives, and you get to gain experience that will enhance your CV and collect some LinkedIn recommendations as well.
Multiple options
Instead of thinking of just one job, you could aim for two or three part-time jobs. This would mean that you have some income as you start each job, and would increase your feeling of career security. Or you could seek out a part-time job alongside part-time study to learn new skills or update current ones. There’s always a possibility of losing one job but not all three. It also gives you a chance to impress a future employer and to network within a new company.
You can combine two or more together. For example, you could seek out two part time jobs or one part-time job alongside self-employment. You don’t have to wait for the perfect job; a part time or temporary job could be the right option for now.
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