Plan 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.
Questions to ask yourself
Before you start writing your CV and personal letter, you should consider a number of questions so that you produce a clear, fair presentation of yourself and which way you are heading in life.
. What have you worked with and
studied in the past?
. What are your strengths?
. Is it important for you to make use
of all of your qualifications and
experience in your work?
. What kind of work would you
really prefer?
. What kind of company or
organisation would you prefer to
work for?
. How well do the positions that
interest you match your
qualifications?
. Is it important to you that the next
job you apply for provides the right
qualifications for a subsequent job
after that?
. What kind of manager suits you?
. Do you want to assume a high
level of responsibility?
. What are your interests?
. Would you like your job to be the
same as your interests?
. What hours of work suit you? Are
you prepared to work overtime or
to travel on business?
. Is it important for you to set plenty
of time aside for family, friends
and leisure interests?
