101 Job Searching Tips
Choosing a career:
1. Pick a career that suits your personality
2. Take a personality type test to match your skills to a job role
3. Write a list of criteria you would like in your career and match these against job specifications
4. If you are unsure on your career goal visit a careers coach
5. Look at LMI articles, check which careers will be here in the future, in these changing employment times
6. Volunteer to gain experience (and to check if you enjoy the job/industry)
7. Read a job profile to find out which skills are needed for your industry
8. Become an industry expert by signing up to industry blogs, tweets, Google alerts
9. Check if you have the essential qualifications required for the position you are applying for
10. Learn industry jargon and the meaning of acronyms
Job Searching
11. Attend networking events and collect contacts
12. Sign up to industry news feed (find out which companies are recruiting or downsizing)
13. Google “industry name” and “location” for links to job adverts
14. Post your CV on job search websites and let them e-mail you vacancies
15. Sign up to several job agencies, allow the professionals to find you vacancies
16. Attend industry job fairs
17. Apply online using job search engines
18. Look in job papers and industry magazines
19. Write an action plan with SMART targets
20. Use the Secrets of Employment E-book as a guide to gaining work
21. Apply for unadvertised vacancies by sending a speculative letter and CV to companies in your industry
22. Look on company websites (under careers or jobs) for vacancies
23. Tell friends and family you are job searching
24. Use social networking sites to sell yourself and to find vacancies
25. Telephone past employers to ask if they know about any industry companies recruiting
26. Continue to job search until you gain a job offer in writing
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CV and Cover Letter
27. Write a targeted CV and cover letter
28. Always send a cover letter with your CV
29. Check your CV especially your contact details before you use it to apply for vacancies
30. Update your CV throughout your career progression, have your CV reviewed for free
31. Use the same font and font size on your CV and cover letter
32. Just record “years” on your employment history to help delete small amounts of unemployment
33. Use your cover letter as a guide to writing a speculative letter
34. Break up your CV text by using headings and bullet points; use a good CV Tempalte to help you write your CV
35. Edit your personal profile as a “sales profile” record what you can offer the employer-this is your selling point, the reason why they should employee you
36. Match your skills and qualities to the job specification-especially the essential criteria
37. Research the company you are apply to and record a paragraph on the company’s achievements on your covering letter
38. Send your CV as a PDF as some old computer systems will not be able to read your text on an open document
39. Only record positive achievements on both your CV and covering letter
40. Sign your covering letter
41. When e-mailing a CV, put your covering letter as the main body of the e-mail, not as an attachment
42. Inform your referees to prepare your references
Write your own CV with the secrets of employment CV writer
Application Form’s
43. Follow all the instructions on the application form
44. Only write using a black pen
45. Take a copy of the application form to write a mock application form, this will also help you check if your text fits into the application form boxes
46. Index all additional pages on the application form
47. When completing online application forms save a copy of your personal profile on your desktop to save time on your next application form
48. Match your personal profile to the job specification ensuring you mention all essential criteria
49. Break up your personal profile text with headings
50. As with a CV, send a covering letter with your application form
51. Check if you need to send any documents with your application form
52. Tick the disability box if you have a disability as some employers will guarantee you an interview if you meet the essential criteria
53. If you have a “spent” criminal record, tick “no” to the question “do you have a criminal record” in some industries they will ask you if you have a “spent record”
54. Never lie on an application form
55. Always sign your application form
Applying for vacancies on the telephone
56. Be prepared for a short online telephone interview (normally around 4-5 questions)
57. Stand up and smile, research has proven that your voice carries better by doing this
58. Dress for an interview as an outfit can put you into an “interview/business” frame of mind
59. Have a pen and paper ready, in case the employer passes you on any information such as an interview date
60. Prepare your CV by highlighting any selected information you want to discuss
61. Have a list of question ready-remember an interview can’t see what you have prepared on the phone
62. Complete a mock telephone interview with a friend or careers advisor
63. Have a quiet room prepared (put a do not disturb sign on the door)
64. Turn off your mobile phone (use a landline to ensure you do not lose the signal)
65. Check that the room is quiet from outside noise; close windows, turn of the TV
Job Interviews
66. Prepare your interview clothes-first impression count
67. Complete a mock run to the interview venue
68. Take a copy of your CV to the interview in a smart-looking case
69. Polish your shoes – sometimes the little things count
70. Brush your teeth, no one likes bad breath
71. Practice your interview questions and answer
72. Complete a mock interview
73. Create a list of questions to ask the interviewer
74. Never give just a “yes” or “no” answer, always back this up with the reason why
75. Only give positive answers even to negative questions
76. Shake hands and introduce yourself to the interviewer
77. Smile throughout the interview
78. Copy the interviewer’s body language as this creates rapport
79. Never interrupt the interviewer
80. Ask the interviewer to repeat any questions you don’t understand
81. Be prepared for a panel interview
82. Look at all interviewers when answering a question on a panel interview
83. In customer service roles be prepared for a group interview
84. During group interviews, listen to others and give your own ideas
85. Practice numeracy, literacy and ITC test as many employers use these during the interview process
86. Visualise yourself being positive in the interview before the interview, creating self-confidence
87. Thank the interviewer for the interview
88. Shake hands before you leave the interview
89. Be prepared for a follow-up interview and be prepared to re-answer the same questions
90. Apply for a job you know you will gain an interview in even if you do not want this job, use this interview to get rid of “first interview nervous” and to practice answering interview questions
need to complete a mock interview with a careers advisor?
After the interview
91. Reflect on your interview-what went well, what should I improve?
92. Write down your good answers, as preparation for your next interview
93. Follow all interviews up with a phone call if you do not hear about the outcome of the interview
94. When not successful, gain feedback from the interviewer
95. Act on the feedback given by the interviewer
96. Complete a new mock interview, now you know what questions you will be asked
97. Continue to job search until you find your ideal job role
98. Once in employment gain any relevant industry qualifications on offer
99. Gain a positive work identity (be known for being a good worker not the joker)
100. Always look forward and aim for promotions, set yourself job goals
101. Continue to network and gain relevant employment contacts
