Job Search Tips

Martina — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:41:55 +0000

There are many different approaches to job hunting. Firstly treat your job search as a job in itself. To get the best results you need to give your job search proper time and attention. Make sure that you use your time effectively and think of it as a project. Use your time on the activities that are most likely to get you results. Think about the employer’s perspective as many employers dislike having to advertise jobs, as it’s expensive and time consuming to go through hundreds of job applications. When employers are looking to fill a vacancy they often prefer to find someone they know who would be suitable for the post or someone who has been referred to them. Approximately 50% of all jobs are not advertised. Therefore you can see why job search techniques such as speculative applications and networking can be effective. Remember that people won’t always be nice to you and sometimes your job applications and CVs won’t be acknowledged but don’t give up.

Networking is a very effective job search strategy as it’s all about people and information. The more you know about your chosen industry and the more people in that industry that you can make positive contact with, the better your chances of getting your foot in the door. Speculative applications involve contacting the company for which you wish to work for to find out if they have any vacancies or future work opportunities. Make your approach by letter and do your research on the company and make sure that you are clear about what you are looking for and what you have to offer. Scan papers regularly and look at on line job websites. Register with them and check them frequently.

Offer your time for free. Volunteering can be a great way of finding out more about a job role as well as making sure that you are in the right place if a job opportunity comes up. Also if you have been out of the workplace for some time and might have lost confidence volunteering can be very beneficial. Voluntary work can improve your CV and demonstrates that you are using your time effectively and keeping your foot in the workplace and learning new skills. You might also like to consider work – shadow when you persuade someone in the role that interests you to let you shadow him or her for a week for example. You will gain an understanding of what the job involves, gain an insight into the company and this can also lead to networking opportunities.

Martina Collett-Creedy, Careers and Training Officer at Merton Adult Education

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New Summer Prospectus

Sapphira — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:10:46 +0000

New Summer prospectus is here now! Pick up your copy from a learning venue or library near you for courses starting in April.

New prospectus

lawrence — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:58:48 +0000

New prospectus is here now! Pick up your copy from a learning venue or library near you!