Planning your job search

The planning process is an essential factor of any successful job search - a little effort up front can save a good deal of time, and help to avoid significant inconvenience, throughout the process.

Before looking at specific opportunities or even market sectors, try to consider what is most personally important in any new role - such as the challenge, opportunity, personal development, remuneration or flexibility for example. It may be that many of these factors are important.

Skill-set and experience should also be considered before looking at specific roles.

Then, once personal preferences are matched to experience and ability, it's possible to really think laterally and consider those opportunities that may represent the ideal next step.

Once a number of potential sectors and generic roles have been identified, it's worth undertaking some research, to analyse the market and consider how personal skills and experience might be tailored to specific sectors or roles at the present time.

Finally, work on ensuring that all the elements identified through preparation feature prominently through both the CV and covering letter, to ensure that those features that are likely to appeal to a potential employer in the chosen area are impossible to miss.