Ten Tips For Finding Work

If you’re in between careers or looking to land your first job the following ten tips can help you go from a helpless applicant to an opportunity to step into an interview room.

CV Layout

You should want to break away from the conventional layout for your CV and look to boost the effectiveness of it getting you to the next stage of the application process. Remember that your CV and Cover Letter are there to advertise you. A recruiter is going to flick through a number of application, how will you make yours stand out?

Make Connections

If you have a strong working history you would have met a number of people, from management to those when undertaking meetings. These are the people that you want to create professional relationships with as you never know, there could be an opportunity through your connections to gain a step further along your career path. Networking is key in business and the more people you know the better!

New Surroundings

Open up to greater opportunities, as jobs aren’t only on your doorstep so you should be open to venturing out from your home town, city or even country. If you’re able to present a CV with an international employment history it will impress prospective employers. Also, it can be a great representation of your character and work ethic. Also, this is a great why to discover new places; either in your own country or overseas.

Volunteering/Internships

Remember that you have to start from somewhere. Not everyone starts from the top and it takes a lot of work to get there. Taking up an internship or volunteering position can have its benefits as you can work your way through a number of levels and pick up several useful skills along the way. It is also a good thing to see from an employer’s perspective, that an applicant is open to such opportunities.

Present Yourself Well

Appearances isn’t everything, however looking the part can increase your chances for creating a perfect first impression. Stepping into an interview room and looking smart can reflect on your character,  as an interviewer can cast judgement based on your appearance before even listening to what you have to offer the company. Along with your application and CV, you should also present yourself well in person.

Do Your Research

Know your stuff! It’s as simple as that. If you’re at the interview stage then you should have prepared yourself for any possible questions that you may face. Understanding what the company is all about and have an in depth knowledge of its products/services will impress the person conducting the interview.

Know Your CV

An interviewer may ask you to expand upon aspects of your CV such as your employment history and specific roles you had taken on. Remembering what you have included is important so take note of even the smallest detail and be prepared to discuss it further.

Be Engaging

Take the opportunity to put forward your own questions if there is anything that you are unsure about or would like to hear more on for example, roles of the job you are applying for. Sometimes it is more natural to hold a conversation rather than a simple Q&A. An interviewer won’t want to have the only voice in the room. Build a rapport with them.

Utilise Your Experience

Having skills in a completely different industry doesn’t mean that they can’t be applied across all boards. Don’t overlook your experiences, as you can even use your retail skills in an office environment. We all started from somewhere and having a diverse employment history can display your versatility.

It’s A Numbers Game

The more you put in the more you get in return and this goes with your attitude to applying for jobs. Putting yourself out there means there’s a greater chance of being picked out. Applying to a large number of job adverts will increase your chances of receiving positive responses. It’s obvious but, some may be fooled that once they have come across their dream job that they land it. Don’t be afraid of those rejection letters!