Be faster, smarter, and better at your search

There is no magic formula that can be used when looking to land your dream job. Recruiters want hard-working, independent and creative individuals and this is how you have to sell yourself. Your CV and cover letter provide you with your first opportunity to show off your skills and grab an employer’s attention. Within them, you should include all the information that you feel make you stand out from the other applicants. Your qualifications, work experience and personal skills should all be detailed, as should your desire to work for the company. What can you add to the firm that others can’t?

It goes without saying that your CV and cover letter need to look as smart and professional as possible, which is why you need to make sure they are printed on the best quality paper with a printer that isn’t going to leave any unsightly marks. Things like printer paper and ink cartridges can be bought on the cheap at numerous online stores such as toner24.co.uk, so don’t worry about breaking the bank.

Do more networking

To find great opportunities, you sometimes have to do a bit of networking. Don’t be afraid to talk to people at parties and find out what line of work they are in – you never know how life-changing a chance meeting can be. Also, if there is a particular company you have always dreamed of working for; phone them up and ask about any opportunities. Your enthusiasm and initiative alone will get your name remembered and if you are persuasive enough to get a contact address, follow up your call by providing further information about yourself.  Some companies don’t even know they need to hire someone until they meet a particular person with great enthusiasm and ideas.

Whenever an opportunity arises, send your well-crafted resume and cover letter immediately, highlighting your strengths, and more specifically, highlighting how you will be helping the organization grow. Look for creative ways to write a resume rather than using the common templates used by every other person. Remember, every employer is seeking to know how you will be adding value to the organization, since the company looks to hire and retain employees who add value.

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Educate at any Age

Studying/Training Courses: It is said that true knowledge is knowing that you know nothing, and that in itself is good enough reason to try and acquire fresh knowledge and skills applicable to your chosen career path. Many universities offer distance learning courses that you can study in your spare time, without infringing on potential employment opportunities. Training courses are usually held in local community centers and colleges. These practical and hands on courses can help you build new skills that can be added to your CV.

Volunteer: If the boredom of being unemployed is too much to take then it is a good idea to consider voluntary work. This is sometimes based in the community but there could be possibilities in your chosen field, given research. This type of work boosts the attractiveness of your CV and provides on the job experience that can lead to paid employment.

Hobbies: You may already have a hobby and not realize it. From simply listening to music to painting or collecting, doing something you like to do has a positive effect on your mindset. Some hobbyists like to make things, such as pottery or clothing and with the right guidance and a little drive some hobbies can be turned into a lucrative pastime.

Head Strong

It is difficult to find work in the current climate, but not impossible and anyway in which you can keep positive will provide you with the resilience required for success in your chosen field. Remembering these tips will keep your attitude fresh, and eliminate possible negativity from your daily pursuits. Those who keep getting back up will have the best chance to shirk unemployment and find the job they desire.

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Predictions for 2012

According to John Philpott Any, Chief Economic Adviser, CIPD, the rise in unemployment is disappointing but the new job figures are a little encouraging. The rate at which jobless increased slowed with the New Year and the private sector just managed to create more new jobs in answer to the job cuts in the public sector. The country is also seeing an increase in vacancies in the last few months. It may be too early to wrap up by saying that this is a signal of change in the labor market. The same kind of phenomenon was seen the previous year followed by a new downturn. Chris Grayling, the Employment Minister feels that there are encouraging figures, with signs of a stabilizing labor market but it is certainly a huge challenge in front of the government to create new jobs and cut down unemployment.

CIPD feels that unemployment in UK will reach its highest level in many years by the end of 2012. A report published by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation says that there are very few businesses who feel that they will hire new staff this year. There are some who may like to increase their temporary workforce. The report suggests that even now employers are nervous about appointing permanent employees. In fact some of them expect to cut their workforce’s size in order to increase efficiency.

The Good News

The good news is that there is an increase in employment primarily by creation of more part-time jobs. Over 1.3 million people looking for full-time work are managing on the income generated by the short hours they can work. There has been very low increase in pay in comparison to the price inflation. With the rising unemployment rates many ‘part-time Britain’ have to squeeze on their standard of living.

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Consider what the possible employer needs

Sometimes what makes you truly unique for a position are the little details that we usually forget. For example, the three hour seminar about the exact topic that the job is about, or the fact that you have a particular skill that covers what you would be performing in your daily job. Writing your curriculum should always be done with the employer´s needs in mind, so you shouldn´t send the same copy for a lot of different positions.

Be careful with your language, and keep sentences short

Make sure that the language used in your resume reflects your professionalism. However, be careful not to sound overly personal, and make sure the information you include is relevant for the job. If you include too much information that is not pertinent, the employer will probably be discouraged to continue reading and might not get to the important information.

It is vital that you make sure that your spelling and grammar is correct. If you have any concerns about them, ask a friend to read your resume before submitting. There is nothing more discouraging for an employer that finding that the person that wants the job is not careful enough to proofread their work.

A really decisive factor of writing a convincing Curriculum Vitae is being clear about your personal expectations about the job. This will not only allow you to write exactly what you think will be beneficial for the possible employer, but will also come in handy when you get to interviews.

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