job search with a difference
TRANSCRIPT
Job search with a difference
In this worksheet you’ll get to read about nine job search job tips that have proven
themselves to work, instead of being just out-dated methods, tired myths
or just never proven theory!
It was one of those supremely character forming days. In my hand was my appointment card
for my first Job Centre appointment, but what made it so embarrassing was that I had been a
careers adviser at this same Job Centre only a few short weeks ago before losing my job!
Phrases such as “physician heal thyself” and “surely it can’t be that difficult to find a job?”
churned around inside my skull like the National Lottery balls. I wondered how long it would
take for my lucky numbers to be chosen – and find a new job!
When your back is against the wall – when your credit card bills and your self-esteem need
paying off, you simply want a job search technique that works and fast! Here are some secrets
that some real people have used to find real work in a very tough job market.
1) Make contact with organisations you like
Phil, a charity worker in Kent, wrote a letter to a charity where he wanted to work, including his
CV and underlined how much he admired their organisations and their achievements. He
received an offer of work a few weeks later.
It wasn’t just that he was being complementary, he was also demonstrating his proactive and
positive mindset. This targeted approach is a great way of accessing the 70% of unadvertised
jobs in the UK!
2) It’s quality, not quantity that matters
Graduate Karl was having no luck from his email blasts. He decided to focus on submitting
exactly what the employer was requesting: a covering letter and CV that mirrored the essential
and desirable list in the job description. It took a lot more time & effort but within three short
weeks he got a number of job offers.
Don’t forget that an effective job search strategy doesn’t look like throwing a handful of confetti
in the air – hoping that at least one piece will hit its target. Don’t give an employer a reason to
throw your CV in the bin because you haven’t taken the time to give them what they want!
3) Show-case yourself in a blog
Jess got an offer from a PR agency after she told them about her blogging site.
This approach will work well especially if you want help in standing out from the crowd and
demonstrate your abundance of skills at your fingertips.
4) Prep’ your network to ‘big-you-up’
Employers don’t always follow up on your references, they go elsewhere… There was the
case of an employer who asked a mutual friend about the job seeker. The lesson here is:
make sure your network is well prepped so that they are able to speak positively about you to
the person offering work!
5) Maintain a clean online profile
Take some time to self-Google so you can make sure that your online personality is how you
want the world to view you. Once images and comments are posted online, they are ‘out there’
for good. As a chef once said, you can add, but you can’t take away, so be careful that you
don’t put compromising photos of yourself on Facebook or Instagram – employers will find
them and blow your cover!
6) Seek professional help
After Jaz lost her job at a pharmaceutical company, she spent a few weeks searching job
boards and tapping her network. Then she sought professional help. Why not consider using a
professional career coach or a head hunter to get that break through?
7) Pound the pavement
After Gil lost his job in financial services he printed out a stack of CVs and targeted a number
of organisations. He said that it was a great way of not only enabling the decision making
person to assess you face-to-face but also for you to assess them.
8) Persistent at the right time!
Steph discovered that she often gets better results emailing prospective employers on
Tuesdays to Thursdays, commenting that Mondays are often crazy and on Friday people are
starting to gear up for the weekend.
9) Stay organised
Finally, keep track of everyone you talk to, and create a simple file system so you know who to
call back and when.
Career Coach in London provides professional coaching to those who need
something extra to find the right job or career direction. Call 07503 177126 or email: