JOB HUNTING ADVICE - JOB SEEKING HELP - JOB HUNTING RESOURCES - JOB HUNTING STRATEGY

Job Hunting Advice

Setting out a job hunting strategy - effective career research

Identifying overall career goals is crucial, as it helps define overall career direction and is a good base point for developing detailed career plans and overall job hunting strategy. Knowing preferred career choices established an overall career focus, so it is important to carefully research and identify career needs, goals and aspirations.

Knowing and understanding career aspirations makes it easier for people to define a career path. Uncertainty relating to any given career path may undermine overall career success and career goals. Taking time out to research career options, identify potential opportunities, understand what you enjoy doing most and identifying skills you can offer will go along way towards establishing a realistic career plan. Speaking to people within your chosen career domain, undertaking some work experience and following a long-held passion can provide useful insights and information.

Related Career Articles
Help making Career Choices with guidance on career decision-making and some of the processes involved in making a positive career decision. We recommend seeking careers guidance as Winning CV is not responsible for any career choices made.

Job Hunting Strategy

Establishing career objectives and making a career plan

It is massively important to plan for career success and defining career objectives is at the heart of this process. Carefully defined career objectives facilitate career planning by identifying a series of steps (actions) required to achieve objectives.

It is important to assess your current situation in terms of skills, experience, training and development and to know where you want to be (career goals), so it is a matter of acknowledging the best way to get there. Identifying the best way to achieve career goals establishes a structured career path, so any planned actions or steps will then become the overall career strategy.

We suggest four main actions:
1. Set realistic career goals and clearly define a career plan (career strategy)
2. Clear action plans and direction keeps focus towards meeting overall career goals
3. Review career objectives and plans to monitor progress and to check relevance
4. Objectives are long-term considerations - stay positive, focused and motivated

Related Career Articles
See our blog article on Setting Career Objectives. This deals with the processes, approaches and issues involved when defining SMART career objectives.

Job Hunting Resources

Use appropriate job seeking help and resources available

Focusing job hunting strategy too narrowly by limiting job hunting resources or methods undermine success. Consider different Job Hunting Resources and job seeking help to give a balanced way of seeking jobs and identifying opportunities. Any effective job hunting strategy uses a portfolio of job hunting methods - including the internet, recruitment consultants, career networking and newspapers, etc.

Using the internet: Arguably the most widely used and up-to-date resource
Recruitment consultants: A good source of job vacancies, advice and information Career networking: Up to 70% of jobs are never advertised (hidden job market)
Newspapers: Useful resource - declining because of competition from the internet
CV distribution companies: Matching CVs with recruiters and live vacancies
Local libraries: Free resources like internet use, directories and annual reports
Local job centres: Advertised vacancies, guidance and useful job hunting booklets
Other resources: Employer open days, recruitment fairs and careers advisors
Using the internet: Arguably the most widely used and up-to-date resource

More Job Hunting Articles
1. See our full article on Job Hunting Resources - ideas on finding useful help
2. Tap into the 'hidden job market' with a successful Career Networking strategy.

Job Hunting Advice

Job seeking is very much a 'two-way' process - get it right!

Finding jobs is very much a 'TWO-WAY' process. Invariably both candidates and employers want the same things by looking for the best possible match according to experience, skills, qualities and other selection criteria. It is important candidates fit in, make a positive contribution, work as part of a team and feel comfortable with an employer. Getting a good match can lead to more career success, improved employee loyalty and greater productivity, so it is important for everyone concerned.

For candidates, it is equally important to get a good match, so undertaking some research into company business activities and track record can prove useful in understanding whether an employer is right for the candidate. Reviewing company websites, stock market information and annual reports are good resources. Local recruitment consultants can give useful insights and impressions of certain employers because they have a wider understanding of local job markets and built relationships with employers. This often reveals more about local companies, potential opportunities candidate prospects and employer expectations.

When evaluating matching criteria, consider company culture, management styles, company activities, company performance, job roles and responsibilities and employee company benefits (OTE packages, etc). Larger companies will have details of training schemes, academic sponsorships, graduate development and individual employee case studies giving experiences of working for the company.

Also, understand the 'hidden' job description because employers can 'talk-up' job roles to make them appear more attractive than they really are. Finally, consider the benefits (and costs) of leaving a current employer - assess pros and cons of leaving because it may be worthwhile staying and considering other opportunities with the same employer. Remember, there is always sufficient opportunity to ask good questions face to face at job interview.

Further Job Hunting Tips and Articles
1. Understand the 'Hidden' Job Description and how recruiters advertise jobs
2. Considering whether it is Time To Leave A Current Employer and seek jobs

Professional Resume Advice

Create an effective CV - remember it is a personal marketing document!

Professional resume advice - CVs are often recognised as the single most important element of the recruitment process. They are essentially personal marketing documents, becoming the main method of securing job interviews because recruiters often base initial selection decisions purely on the CV alone. With only 30 seconds to impress recruiters, it is important to create the right impression with an excellent CV.

We suggest four main considerations:
1. Recruiters spend 30 seconds reviewing CVs (making initial selection decisions)
2. Effective CVs (marketing documents) persuade recruiters to shortlist candidates
3. Keep CVs simple, well-presented, accurate and honest - make the right impression
4. CVs must be 100% perfect - anything less leaves an opportunitiy for rejection!

Further Job Hunting Advice and Articles
1. Create a professional CV using professional CV Advice from resume writers
2. Top CV Tips from recruiters - professional resume writing feedback and insights
3. Using a proven CV Format and resume writing process to create your own CV
4. Better resume writing by avoiding CV Mistakes - removing basic resume errors

Job Hunting Strategy

Be selective - carefully target opportunities and be realistic!

A targeted approach to employers and job opportunities often pays dividends because candidates are focusing efforts on particular aspects of a job hunting strategy rather than applying for any jobs. Being more selective not only results in finding more suitable opportunities but can also save time, effort and resources.

We suggest six main considerations:
1. Differentiate yourself from the competition - offer something unique (add value)
2. Sell long-term career potential - recruiters like those with a strong track record
3. Only target jobs if meeting at least 60-70% of the selection criteria - be realistic!
4. Initial selection decisions and invitations for interview are based on the CV alone
5. Show evidence of suitability (examples), achievements and skills within your CV
6. Target specialist recruitment consultants covering areas of expertise (experience)

Job Hunting Tips and other articles
1. Ideas for Targeting CVs to employers - some useful CV targeting strategies
2. Examining evidence of suitability and Job Selection Criteria for employers
3. Marketing yourself effectively by building your own Personal Brand image

Job Interview Preparation

Effective research and preparation is key to interview success

Having succeeded in gaining an interview, the last thing candidates is to waste a hard-earned opportunity to impress. Candidates often make interview mistakes, but there are some basic things likely to improve interview performance and help boost confidence. Job Interview Preparation - useful information and advice!

Job seeking help - we suggest five main aspects:
1. Know your CV: Recruiters can scrutinise and ask questions on any CV aspect
2. Understand job description: Specifically define what the employer is looking for
3. Research the company: Review company information, activities and case studies
4. Interview techniques: Prepare and practice effective job interview techniques
5. Prepare good questions: Prepare good (relevant) interview questions to ask

Job Hunting Tips and more articles
1. Some Common Interview Questions employers like to ask during interviews
2. Competency-based Behavioural Interviews ask questions on likely scenarios
3. Techniques and Job Interview Assessments for candidate selection process

Attending Job Interviews: 'On-The-Day'

Be confident, assured and create the right impression

Experienced recruiters often make up their minds within the first few minutes of interviews, so first impressions, an aura of confidence and professionalism all help create a positive image. Recruitment decisions are influenced by initial impressions, so looking smart and professional will not harm chances for sure.

Job hunting tips - creating the right impression:
1. Interviewers get nervous: Under great pressure to find the right candidate
2. Dress smartly: Invest in a smart suit, clean shoes and leather document holder
3. Effective preparation: Being prepared and assured can improve confidence
4. Ask good questions: Targeted questions show preparation & professionalism
5. Recruitment decisions: Initial impressions can influence candidate selection

Job seeking help and other articles
1. Interview techniques and Job Interview Skills - useful job interview advice
2. Always prepare Good Interview Questions To Ask during job interviews
3. Techniques and common Interview Mistakes as identified by recruiters

Job Interview Performance

Go for it! - Why waste this hard-earned interview opportunity?

With thorough preparation, Job Interviews should be no more than a structured discussion about an employment opportunity and how the candidate would fit into the company. Being confident, prepared and assured in own abilities should make a big difference to job interview performance.

Job seeking help - job interview performance:
1. Show an aura of confidence and professionalism: First impressions count
2. Relax and stay calm: Recruiters are likely to build a rapport if feeling welcome
3. Be confident and assured: Visualise a time of success or great achievement
4. Ask good questions: Make interviews a two-way process (shows good interest)
5. Closing the interview: Give positive intent - reiterate interest and commitment

Job seeking help and other articles
1. Sound interview techniques and Job Interview Skills help interview performance
2. Negotiating Offer Of Employment is an important part of the interview process
3. Discussing Job Salary Negotiation becomes important at second interview

Job Hunting Tips - Reviewing Progress

Reviewing progress, learning and adapting job hunting strategy...

Gaining constructive feedback helps improve future job interview performance, so any unsuccessful interviews can be turned into a positive learning experience. Sometimes it takes practice and gradual refinement of job interview techniques before candidates are able to succeed at interview. Speaking to recruiters may reveal useful tips relating to body language, confidence, answers given and examples used, etc.

Job seeking help - job interview performance:
1. Job interview rejection: Failure can be turned into positive learning experiences
2. Constructive feedback: Can be used to highlight strengths and weaknesses
3. Previous performance: Future performance enhanced by previous mistakes
4. Refining techniques: Opportunity to work on weaknesses (practice techniques)
5. Be smart: Learn from mistakes, improve and stay positive - your time will come!

Job seeking help - more articles
1. Evaluating interview performance and reasons for Job Interview Rejection
2. Should Leaving an Employer be a consideration? - evaluating career options