10 steps to improve your job chances
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You have decided to look for a new job. But, in the haste to land your new job, youneed to make sure that you have covered all the bases and approach your job search
in a patient and professional manner.
These 10 tips will make sure that your job chances stay on the right track.
1. Develop a job search planThe old adage fail to plan, plan to fail is as true now as it has ever been. !f youknow where you want to be and the job you want, it is easier to get there. Therefore,
split your job search into short" and long"term goals and identify the actions you
need to take in order to reach them.
#or e$ample, will you need to develop new skills or gain a new professional%ualification& 'hat methods are you going to use to find a job( The !nternet&
)ewspapers&
The more you know about your goals and the more ways you search for your ne$tjob, the greater your chances of finding your ideal job.
2. List your achievements*mployers want to know if you have the skills and e$perience they are looking forbecause they need to determine 'hat can this person do for my business& They
want to see evidence of jobs you have done that went above and beyond the basicre%uirements of your job role.
+ook back over the last 1 months and pick out any notable successes or special
projects that you were involved in "" this can then be used to show an employerwhen you are at interview stage. -fter all, if you have a trumpet to blow then blow
it.
3. Revamp your CV
Your / is designed to do just one thing( to get you an interview. The averagerecruiter will only spend between 0 to 0 seconds glancing at a / which means
that you need to make an impression %uickly and sell yourself.
-cting as your personal shop window, your / enables buyers employers2 to seewhat you have to offer and good presentation is key to attracting their interest.
'riting a winning / can be a challenge. But, by putting the mileage, in you willhave a document that will make potential employers take action and invite you for
an interview.
4. Decide the type of company you ant to or! forYou spend almost 30 per cent of your time at work during the course of a year, so it
is important that you work in an environment and culture that you can enjoy andthrive. -nd, that means targeting organisations that match your goals and career
values.
+uckily, many of the advertised jobs on areerBuilder feature a link to the recruitingcompany4s profile which will enable you to get an insight into their working
environment.
-fter all, you don4t want to find yourself embarking on the same e$ercise again this
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time ne$t year because you made a decision in haste.
". #se the $eb56, so you are already on the 'eb but are you really using it to your advantage as a
tool to help you get your ne$t job& )o& Then post your / online, create your ownpersonal account on different job boards and keep up to date with developments in
your chosen field by reading the online community pages which will also giveinformation about working in different sectors within your industry. 6nowledge ispower, they say.
%. &etor!Talk to friends, call old work colleagues and attend industry trade shows or
networking events. )etworking may sound daunting but the more events you attendthe easier it becomes. -nd, the higher up the corporate ladder you move the more
and more everybody knows everybody else and a referral from one of your contactcould help your career.
'. Customise your CV and coverin( letter
!t may seem tempting to simply cut and paste the same / and covering letter to
several employers, but it could cost you in the long run. Tailor your / to the job youare applying and only include relevant information that will demonstrate how youre$perience links to the advertised position.
#or instance, if you are applying for a marketing role, make sure that your / has a
marketing bias highlighting your e$perience in this field.
). Dress to impress7hakespeare once said( -pparel oft proclaims the man. Your image is the outer
reflection of your inner self allowing people to judge and make assumptions of yourpersonality and attitudes. 8ressing successfully or unsuccessfully2 can make or
break your interview.
8ress for the job you want not the job you already have.
*. +tay positive and avoid ne(,heads
9ob seeking is never easy and there will be times when you will want to give up andresign yourself to staying in your current job. But don4t give up.
*$perts estimate that the average job search can last anywhere from two to 10months. 7o be patient and have the belief that you will find your dream job just
around the corner. -s :enry #ord said( !f you think you can or you think you can4t,you4re probably right.
1-. e (ood to yourself
7earching for a job is a job in itself and, unless you take a break away from it, youcould start to feel e$hausted and burnt out. 8on4t allow it to consume your every
waking moment.
-llow time to rela$ with friends, listen to your i;od or go to the gym and participatein activities that you enjoy. learing your mind and replenishing your energy will
enable you to resume your job search feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.