and let you know if you are entitled to any financial assistance or free training programmes.
Day 2: Getting organised – Read Chapter 2
Systems! You may love them or hate them, but for job search you are going to need to be organised. I love systems and have created all the forms you are likely to need including forms to help you plan your day; this chapter also covers setting up a personal support system, getting references and more.
You can access all the forms and much more from the website: www.howtogetajobinarecession.com
Day 3: What do you want to do? – Read Chapter 3
It’s not enough to want a new job. You need to be clear on the specific job you want so that you can market yourself properly. In today’s chapter you can complete various exercises to get you focused on who you are and what you ideally want to do. You’ll then do a reality check. It can help to come up with two jobs, your ideal and a job that will do in the short term, so you have money to pay the bills.
Having Fun
If you are out of work, treat job search like your full time job, but still make time for things you enjoy doing – music, reading, sport, and woodwork, whatever it may be. Ensure you take time to do something you will really enjoy each day.
Are you now clearer on what you want to do? If not you may want to stay longer on this step or get some external career coaching or guidance.
Day 4: Where can you find a job – Read Chapter 4
You can find advertised jobs but you can also contact companies directly. There are other options such as part time work, freelancing, consultancy, developing a business idea. Don’t be stuck thinking you have to find a job via an online website; there are alternatives.
Day 5: Create your CV – Read Chapter 5
Your CV is the foundation of your job search campaign. Whilst many jobs will involve completing an online form, your CV will mean you have most of the information you need for this, and lots of jobs actually want a CV. Follow this chapter for a step-by-step guide to creating your CV. Part 1 is about how to collect the information you need, and Part 2 is about how to put it together. The chapter is written like a coaching session with Denise, so you should find it easy to follow.
Day 6: Create or improve your LinkedIn profile – Read Chapter 6
LinkedIn is a great way to keep in touch with business acquaintances and also for developing new contacts. It’s a way of expanding your network to help with fact-finding interviews and to find out about possible opportunities, and you need to be on LinkedIn to be found by recruitment agencies. Chapter 6 talks you through how to create your LinkedIn profile.
Day 7: Relaxation day
It’s not just about work, so take some time to spend with family, friends or pursue an interest, or just relax and enjoy being rather than doing. Remind yourself of what you have done this week, you have
•Got your paperwork together.
•Planned how you will spend your time.
•Got clear on what job(s) interest you.
•Created your CV and LinkedIn profile.
Day 8: Create a personal message – Read Chapter 7
Today you will read Chapter 7 and be clear on your message. This will mean that when you meet people and they ask you what you are looking for, you will have a great reply.
Day 9: Networking – Read Chapter 8
Many people get a job through networking, talking with people they know, and building relationships with people who may be able to help. This chapter talks you through how to develop your network and the steps you need to take when you meet someone.
Day 10: Fact-finding interviews – Read Chapter 9
To find out more about a particular job you can do fact-finding interviews, and this chapter tells you how. You probably won’t start doing these today, but you will understand what you need to do and be ready to get started on them to help in your job search.
Day 11: Research – Read Chapter 10
Research is needed at different stages of job search, from clarifying what job(s) you are going to apply for to research before an interview. This chapter provides excellent resources to help in all aspects of job search, including advanced Google techniques.
Days 12–14: Traditional Job Search – Read Chapters 11–13
Today you will review how to find and reply to job ads using the guidance in Chapter 11. Chapter 12 talks you through how to create a cover letter, and Chapter 13 is about using recruitment agencies. You will register on sites and get ready to apply for jobs.
Day 15: Relaxation Day
Follow the suggestions for Day 7 above and remind yourself of the progress you have made.
Day 16: Active Job Search – Read Chapters 14–16
This means researching and contacting companies directly. For many this is a new approach, so today you will read through what you need to do and then put what you learn into action on the following days.
From now on you need to create and follow a plan; you can also download this from the website.
Daily Tasks
•Plan in advance what you will do each day – many of the tasks will be done every day.
•At the end of each day review your activity: what did you do, what has moved you forward on job search and what hasn’t helped?
•Think about any task you didn’t complete; what held you back?
Traditional Job Search
•Research jobs on websites and upload CV (and cover letter) as appropriate.
•Read professional journals (many are online) to identify jobs.
•If you are interested in retail, walk around to notice any jobs that might be advertised outside a store.
•Research to find out more about a company and industry.
•Write cover letters highly focused on a job.
Active Job Search
•Practise and use your ‘personal message’ by talking with people
•Go to LinkedIn – comment on a discussion, answer a question, find someone to connect with, get in touch with someone you know.
•Undertake fact-finding interviews.
•Knock on doors with copies of your CV.
•Arrange to contact companies directly.
Look
