Back to Career Advice Services Home
Commencing Your Job Search
Once you have decided to make that career move and know in which direction you wish to go, then half the battle is won. However, it is now time to manoeuvre your way through the minefield that is job hunting.
The key to a successful job search is preparation. Look at the process as a project, which requires meticulous planning and execution and ensure you document your actions throughout the process. Decide which of the following methods you wish to use and plan how much time you wish to spend on each.
Responding to advertisements
This is extremely time consuming and can often be disheartening. You need to firstly determine where your chosen roles will be advertised. Many executive positions will be in national newspapers (in print and online), some of which have specialist supplements. Remember that if you are concentrating your search on a local area, the number of roles found through this method will be limited.
Another good source of information are internet job sites. These cover all industries and all levels and there are specialist job boards for almost every industry. If you are interested in pursuing this avenue, do your homework and make a list of the most suitable websites for you.
Other mediums include local newspapers, trade journals (make sure you subscribe to any relevant journals), job centres and local radio. The last two are less likely to bring rewards, but you never know!
Put a list together of the publications or websites that are most likely to feature jobs that will interest you and ensure that you know on which days jobs will be advertised.
Recruitment Agencies / Head-hunters
Recruitment agencies and head-hunters come in various shapes and sizes and again, you need to make a list of those which will benefit you the most. High street recruitment agencies usually have more junior salaried positions. They will have an excellent portfolio of local companies on their books, but they are less likely to have regular senior level positions. It is still worth contacting them with your details but bear in mind that they won’t be calling you regularly. In contrast, there are numerous specialist agencies and head-hunters, who deal exclusively with executive positions or jobs within a specific industry and the consultants should have a more specialist level of knowledge in your chosen field. Make a list of all agencies you wish to contact and note down the locations they cover and the type of roles they specialise in.
Speculative applications
This is a more proactive way to approach your job search and is an excellent way of indicating your availability and getting your name out into the market place. Identify a list of companies that you would be keen to work for and who would be interested in what you have to offer. Having made this list, you need to call each one and get the correct name of the HR Manager or person dealing with recruitment, as it is crucial that your letter and CV land on the desk of the appropriate decision maker.
Networking
This is an effective method of job hunting for senior level professionals. Talk to as many contacts as you can, ensuring that people are aware you’re in the market. Internet business networking sites are also useful.
So, you have decided how much time you wish to spend on each of these four recruitment methods, you have your CV and cover letter ready, so now it’s time to put your plan into action.
Begin by sending your CV to all the companies or individuals on your list, making sure you make a note of when you sent it, so you can follow this up if you don’t hear from them. Start reading the relevant newspapers, journals and internet sites for job vacancies and again, make a note of any that you apply for.
Another effective way of attracting attention is to post your CV online. Many of the internet job boards will provide this facility and this will enable recruiters and employers to contact you should they have a role which matches your stated criteria.
It is crucial you keep on top of your applications. Contact companies and recruitment agencies if you don’t hear anything and ask for feedback on unsuccessful applications. It is also important that you stay positive, especially when applying for roles advertised in national newspapers. These roles attract hundreds of applicants, so it may take many applications before you hear any good news.
Providing you keep a track of the contact you have made, keep in regular contact with recruitment agencies, persevere and remain resilient, your job search will be successful