Ultimate job search : master the art of finding your ideal job, getting an interview and networking

Description

Cover Contents Introduction 1 First things first 1. Find out what skills, qualities and abilitiesthe job requires 2. Match those skills, qualities and abilitieswith your own 3. Prepare examples of how, when and whereyou have demonstrated them in the past 4. Present those skills, qualities and abilitiesclearly and confidently both in writing andverbally 5. Demonstrate in your presentation,appearance and behaviour the personalqualities required 2 The highly e mployable candidate What makes someone stand out? What every employer wants A guarantee of professionalism 3 Making a start Key tasks Skills, abilities and knowledge Qualifications and training Results and achievements Transferable skills Match the skills you’ve got to the skills they want Using the job posting to improve your CV Reading the posting Putting it in your CV 4 The skills they want from everyone Teamwork Communicating with others Problem solving Analysing Organizing and planning Flexibility and adaptability Drive and determination 5 Your CV Attract attention Create a good impression Present your relevant skills Keep your CV relevant 6 CV Problems Problem: there are gaps in my career history Problem: my career history isn’t straightforward Problem: my relevant experienceis in a voluntary role Problem: I’ve had lots of very different jobs Problem: my CV is more than two pages long Problem: I’m doing more than one job Problem: I’ve only ever had one job Problem: a lot of my jobs have been the same Problem: I’ve been unemployed for over a year Problem: my current job isn’t very impressiveor relevant, or it’s a bit of a step backwards Problem: I haven’t got much experiencefor the job I want Problem: I’m over-qualified Problem: I’m under-qualified Problem: I’m over 50 Problem: I’m under 25 7 CVs with special considerations CVs for school, college and university leavers CVs after a career break CVs for career changers CVs when you already have a CV 8 CVs for specific jobs The clerical CV The sales and marketing CV CVs for technical jobs The management CV CVs for creative jobs CVs for practical jobs CVs for customer relations jobs 9 Application forms Application forms section by section 10 Covering letters Appearance, layout and readability Content Layout What goes into the letter? 11 Telephone calls General points Information calls Speculative calls Follow-up calls Telephone interviews Video interviews When they call you 12 The job search Job search stages Job market research Ways of job hunting Using your skills effectively The ultimate job search skill 13 Your online job search Using the internet effectively Online recruitment resources Your online CV Online extras Privacy and safety online 14 Job search strategies Answering advertisements for vacancies CV and follow-up call Personal letter Recruitment agencies Networking Job fairs Personal appearances Foot in the door Unconventional approaches 15 Interviews: making a great impression Why have an interview? What happens at an interview Preparing for the interview Making a good impression Looking the part Acting the part Overcoming nerves 16 Answering interview questions The three rules What sort of questions will they ask? What are the important points? Questions they ask everybody Dealing with negative questions Questions about salary Dealing with closed questions Dealing with the person-specific questions Inappropriate and illegal questions Your questions to the interviewer 17 Questions for specific jobs Questions for practical jobs Questions for creative jobs Questions for clerical jobs Questions for sales and marketing jobs Questions for technical jobs Questions for management jobs Questions for customer relations jobs 18 Questions for school and college leavers 19 Interviews and more Different types of interview Interview extras 20 Offers and rejections Write a letter If the organization doesn’t make you an offer Keep applying If the organization makes you an offer Negotiating the offer Index