You have to make a job out of
getting a job, in other words: It's not just a matter of applying for one job
and waiting, or even applying for lots of jobs with the same approach. Getting
the job you want is a full time project. It helps if you can plan out the key
steps. Here are 8 steps that should help you:
1. Research your
target employer and the job role. The more you know about them,
the better your chances of winning.
2. Make recruitment
agents your competitive advantage. Explain you will prepare well for
any interviews as this will raise their chance of earning commission by placing
you into a job! Find out which companies they place a lot of people into, as
this could be an easier way into your next job. Ask them (or an
employer's human resources department) which process they will use to
decide who gets the job. Who will be interviewing you, when and what should you
prepare? What are the top 3 most important qualities that the interviewer will
be looking for?
3. Find out the key
requirements: Each time you apply for a job you should find out
the key job requirements and make sure you put 3 aspects of your experience
that match the job at the top of the first page. What can you refer to in your
education, interests, social life or sporting achievements that show you have
the qualities that the role requires? Are you able to provide references from
people who know you and your capabilities? Do you have any specialist knowledge
in areas the job requires, perhaps from holiday jobs or voluntary work?
4. Always put a covering email
or letter with your CV. State clearly your interest in the job and one or
two reasons why you are suitable for the job. Don't just use the same generalised
content every time as it is likely to be ignored!
5. Follow up by phone no
more than 3 days after mailing the application.Get through to the person
handling the application and ask if it's convenient for the person to speak -
people can be busy - if it's not convenient fix a time to call back. When you
can speak to the person handling the applications, ask if your application
arrived ok, stress your interest in the job and ask what the process will be
and when interviews will be held.
6. At the right time, ask for
an interview. It's just a question - ask in a friendly positive voice
stating that it's really important to you as your research about the
organisation makes you really interested in the job. You have a right to ask
and they have a right to say yes or no, but if you don't ask you don't get! As
soon as you get an interview agreed, find out who you will be
interviewed by and what they will be looking for.
7. Preparation: Take time
before the interview, think about all the possible questions you could get
asked and the answers. Try out the question and answer session with a friend to
see how it feels to answer tough questions. Think about, and note down, a few
questions you can ask that demonstrate real interest in the job and the
organisation.
8. Follow up and time
management: Use some kind of a calendar or diary to track your activities
in the search for a job. After an interview, not more than 48 hours, send a
thank you email to the interviewer and as well as thanking them for their time
repeating your interest in the job and re-confirming two or three reasons why
you fit the job. In your diary, record who you spoke to, what they said and
when to call back or when to expect the next step. With several job
applications going on at the same time, it's easy to forget calling someone
back or providing a reference by a certain date.
Finally, when you do start your new
job make sure you have a plan for early success, try our
course Work to help you. LET'S-BEGIN courses are built on a
unique range of working experiences from over 30 years in job roles that
required very strong inter-personal skills in sales, sales management, general
management and organisational leadership.
