Congratulations if you have got an interview, be proud! Statistics today show that only about 2% of applicants  receive an interview and making it this far is impressive.   
 
Are you sat there worrying about how you will demonstrate your skills, capability and experience to the interviewers? This blog will give you some hints and tips on how to show that you are the right person for the role. 

​#1 Research the Company
Often you will be asked what you know about the company usually through a question such as “What do you know about the Company?”.  The interviewer is looking to see that you are you curious about the company, ask the right questions and know how to ask the right questions.

​#2 Research the Interviewer
Find out a little bit about the interviewer or hiring manager through LinkedIn.  Do you have any shared interests or connections?

#3 Review the Job Description prior to attending the interview
Look at the skills required – how do your skills align to these and think of some examples where you have excelled at this.

#4 The length of your responses – remember to be concise
A general rule is to speak for no less than 30 seconds and no more than 2 minutes per answer.

#5 How to handle the introductory questions often asked
1. Tell me about yourself
Rather than giving a long-winded answer and risk rambling when asked this question consider responding by saying “I’ve had a lot of different experiences in my career, where would you like me to start?”
 
2. Why did you apply for the role?
Remember your research on the company and job description. The interviewer wants to give you the opportunity to show your wisdom, insight and understanding about the job.  Ensure you show:-

• How you see the job
• What you see the job needs
• Something about yourself and your strengths
• A summary of the above

 
3. What are your goals over the next 5 years?
​Focus on the value this role has on your career: how it will help to develop your skills and how you are passionate about helping the company to achieve its objectives.

#6 Owning the Interview
Start the interview as you mean to.  You need to show the interviewer why you are the best person for the job.  

​1. Express your appreciation for the opportunityFor example, “I’ve been really looking forward to this meeting today.  I think that <insert company name> is doing great work in <insert particular field, work or project> and I am really excited by the prospect of being able to contribute”.
 
2. Prepare 3-5 key selling points in mind

• Why do you want the job?
• What interests you?
• What rewards does it offer that you find valuable?
• What abilities do you possess that would add value to the company?

3. Anticipate any questions around gaps in your knowledge or experienceFor example, “I know you may be thinking that I might not be the best fit for the position because (insert reservation) but you should know that (why they shouldn’t be overly concerned).
 
4. Pause before answeringWhat are they really looking for you to answer.  If you are not sure about a question it is perfectly fine to ask “did you mean?” or “could you rephrase the question”.

Tip 6 : You must sell yourself in creative ways and every answer you give should be tied with how it will benefit the company or the job.

#7 Shifting your answers from operational responses to more strategic thinking if applying for management roles
 
This is very much about showing your ability to look forward, encompassing both internal and external factors and setting a course of action for the business to yield the best results. 
 
1. Think strategically

• What is the environment like that the business operates in?
• How can the business maximise opportunities?
• Does it operate in a growing or shrinking market?
• Think beyond individual projects and deadlines and see larger connections between projects, teams and business units. This will allow you to generate better solutions and accelerate results.

 
2. Talking strategically

• How did you join the dots?
• Who did you get on board?
• What was the result?

Put more emphasis on the Action and Results aspects of your answers to show how you previously handled a situation and how you would handle it in the future.
 
3. Influence

• Who did you get onboard?
• How did you do it?
• How did you build key relationships?

 
4. Be open to criticism

• Be honest if things didn’t go well. 
• What did you change and overcome to get to the end goal?

#8 Follow-up after the interview
Many people fall into the trap of thinking that your work is done once you leave an interview.  In a highly competitive recruitment market that exists in some sectors, it is important to stand out and demonstrate that you serious about the role.  Send an email to the interviewers within 24 hours to re-iterate your passion for the role.

Tip 8 :  An example of what you could send can be found below:-
 
Dear<name>,
 
Subject: – Interview on <Date> at <Time>
 
Thank you for your time <yesterday / date of interview>. It was a pleasure speaking with you about <insert job title> role.  I am very excited about the opportunity to join <insert company> and making a difference in <insert details>.
 
I particularly enjoyed learning more about <insert any specifics or stand out from interview>. 
I'm convinced that the position is a perfect fit for this stage in my career and that my experience, qualifications and strengths will allow me to fulfil the job requirements effectively and support your company’s objectives.
 
I very much looking forward to receiving an update from you. Also, feel free to ask me any follow-up questions that may have come up since we last spoke.
 
Looking forward to hearing from you,
 
Kind regards
 
Name

Originally posted to the British Association of CV Writers (BACVW) website on 7th October 2021.

LinkedIn is one of the most untapped resources for people to utilise to raise their profile, whether seeking to build network connections or indeed to find a job.  Whilst a large majority of people create an initial profile it often gets left alone until there is a need to find a job.  This blog will give you some easy and quick wins on how to make your profile work for you even when you are asleep!
 
1.Make yourself memorable with great stories
​

Your LinkedIn Profile needs to be a living, breathing document that clearly represents at all times who you are and what makes you unique. 
 
a.  Share updates on topics related to your field adding your advice and insights on this to reinforce your experience.
b.  Make your profile visual by using videos or infographics to enhance your posts and add these to your featured posts.
 
You could use your stories to advise network connections that you are seeking a new role.
 
2.  Building Connections

When LinkedIn was initially set up it was designed primarily as a networking tool, effectively a Facebook for business! It is a great way to stay up to date with the latest developments in your field and to share information with others in your field.  There are a few ways of building connections.
 
a)  Connecting with people you don’t know
When connecting with someone you don’t know on LinkedIn, such as a person who works in a similar role at another company, add relevance by letting them know why you’re messaging them. You might say, “I’ve seen your posts and noticed some of your work. I really appreciate your perspectives and would love to connect.” 

LinkedIn has a section called “People also viewed” which gives you suggestions of people in similar fields or industries that you might want to connect with.
 
b) Using the search box to find people from past organisations you worked in
Building connections with people you know is particularly useful as you will able to ask them to complete a recommendation and give credibility to your profile.

​c) Choose to follow certain organisations
You could use the search box by clicking on companies and selecting location and stating where you would like to look. 

d)  Join LinkedIn Groups
LinkedIn Groups are a great method to find like-minded professionals in your job role or industry.  You can use to share ideas and discuss key topics and show your engagement and expertise within your chosen field.  You also can use these groups to further expand your connections.  You never know if one of these connections holds the key to your next role!

LinkedIn has two main advantages when looking for a job.
 
1.  Use your network connections to let them know that you are seeking a new role.  You could do this by writing a post to add on your profile which says something like 
Hi everyone – I am seeking a new role as  …………………….. and would appreciate your support in finding my next opportunity.  I have x years of experience as a ………………… plus qualifications in …………………………………
 
What makes me different?
Insert your key strengths / key skills
 
Thank you in advance for any connections, advice or opportunities you can offer.
 
#opentowork #journeytoajob #jobsearch #jobhunting
 
2.  Find a job via LinkedIn
Many organisations have recognised the power of advertising their roles through LinkedIn Jobs portal.  As a candidate you can use the search box to restrict your search using elements such as job title, location and type of role (such as Hybrid, Remote or Onsite – a recent update to LinkedIn).

Just one final point …..Remember your online footprint
 
Think about what other sites you are on and your security profiles for these.  Are there any posts on sites such as Twitter that might affect your employment in the future? Posting something at the age of 16/18 could have repercussions for the rest of your employment life. Think before posting and ensure that your settings are secure and only accessible to your friends and not friends of friends.
 
Some recruiters now check out candidates as part of the recruitment process to see that they fit with the visions and values of an organisation.
 
#linkedin #linkedinprofile #linkedintips #linkedinjobs #opentowork #linkedinstories 

Originally posted to the British Association of CV Writers (BACVW) website on 7 October 2021.

As of 2021, LinkedIn had over 756 million users in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide and is an incredible platform for networking.  That is 756 million people who could help you with finding your dream career or helping to develop that skill you have always wanted to do! ​

Think about LinkedIn as a gigantic spider’s web that stretches around the world multiple times and allows you to show people your value, skills and achievements in multiple locations not just in the UK.  In the age of technology remember that “the world is your oyster” and you don’t necessarily need to be based in the country that the company is based in.

Your LinkedIn profile is your 365 day a year window for recruiters and network connections to truly tell your story about who you are and what you want to be known for.  With LinkedIn “first impressions count” the more complete and professional your LinkedIn profile looks the better the impression you’ll make to a prospect, contact, recruiter or potential employer.  

You need a great LinkedIn profile that draws attention, says the right things and helps you really connect with the people who can help you expand your career.  The following tips will help you on your journey to creating an “All Star Profile”.
 
a.Have a profile photo
Put a photo as this puts a face to your name and makes it more likely for people to view your profile as people buy people.
 
b.Have an eye-catching headline
This is the first thing that profile visitors read and often people will leave it with just their current position.  You have 220 characters that you can use as a small advertisement for you and what you do.  Consider your target audience and show them what you do, what you bring to the table and shows your credibility.
 
c.Use the Blue/Green banner/cover photo to enhance your profile
Remember to make a good first impression with this and make it as inoffensive as possible.  There are a few options available to you.

1. Use a picture of your favourite place or something which demonstrates your brand

ii.    Have a picture of you doing your job
iii.   Use words or a quote that sum you up
iv.   Use it as a call to action with details of key strengths, skills and contact details.
 
d.Craft an interesting summary for the About section
You have 2,600 characters to use to show what you do well and what you can bring to a new employer.  Paint a picture of what makes you unique and how you can fix the problem that an employer might have.

• Introduce yourself and the value you bring to an organisation
• What are your key skills, experiences and achievements
• Bring in a bit about you outside of work – this could bring you something in common with recruiters or network connections
• Call the reader to action by asking them to connect with you to discuss new role, network connections or whatever you want your profile to do

 
e.Highlight your experience
Rather than just regurgitate every duty completed or responsibility held in your current and/or past roles use this section demonstrate the impact you’ve made along with 2-4 interesting and impressive bullets for each job.
 
f.Customise your URL
Your URL is the web address for your profile and is set up with your name and some gibberish numbers.  Try to make it more relevant and memorable.  You can adjust it within the edit your profile URL down the right-hand side of your profile.
 
g.Ask for recommendations
This section is key when looking for another role as employers want to know that others have approved your work.  By asking for recommendations this gives real examples of how you made a difference to previous organisations.
 
h.Make yourself accessible
Being clear on how a network contact or recruiter can get in touch is really important especially as most people only have the free version and are restricted at sending messages.  It is therefore important to list your email and phone number in both your contact section along with prominently within the about section.  Remember to weave any specific words or phrased that are used within your industry or job role as this will help you appear more within searches. 
 
i.Avoid using Out of Work or Unemployed or Seeking New Opportunities in your Headline
Recruiters don’t use words such as out of work, unemployed, seeking new opportunities or job seeker in their searches.  There are a couple of options available to you.

1. Within the about section reference that you are seeking new opportunities

ii.     Use the Open to Work option to let recruiters know that you are looking for a new role.  You can specify job titles,
        location and type of work e.g. hybrid, remote, office based etc.
iii.   If you are unemployed create a role listing the job titles you are interested in and open to opportunities or seeking
       new opportunities.
 
Download this free checklist to check that your LinkedIn Profile has all of the required elements to make it an “All Star” Profile.

 
Conclusion
The LinkedIn profile page is the foundation for your personal branding and needs to form part of your weekly strategy, whether using it for networking or indeed searching for a job.
 
#linkedin #linkedinprofile #linkedintips #opentowork 
​

Originally posted to the British Association of CV Writers (BACVW) website on 2nd August 2021.

Are you at a career crossroads and don’t know what to do?
​Are you new to the world of work and don’t know where to look?

​The driving force guiding your career must come from you and requires you to clearly think about what you truly want by treating yourself as a business with a product to sell and show why an employer should attract, hire and retain you.

The following steps will ensure that you will be set up for a successful job search before you even start applying.

#1 Know what you are looking for
The key in any career review that will enable you to move forward is to analyse your past, being honest about what was good and what wasn’t so good so that you can plan your future career pathway.  This applies even for new entrants into the world of work as you should analyse what you are ideally looking for from a job.
Analyse the why to bring clarity to what the right job will look like for you.  Don’t just assume that the grass is always greener…..!

• Where have you been?
• Where are you now?
• Where do you want to be?

Ask yourself ….

• What have you achieved in your career so far?
• What are you proud of?
• What have you enjoyed and why?
• What have you not enjoyed and why?
• When are you at your best?
• What are your strengths?
• What do others say about you/what feedback have you had?
• What is important to you about a job?
• Where do you want to work? Home-based, office-based, hybrid based, compressed hours? Is it a must-have or nice to have?
• What hours do you want to work?
• What type of company do you want to work for e.g. do you prefer smaller organisations where you do a little bit of everything or larger organisation where the work is more predictable?
• What sector do you want to work in?
• What type of work do you want to do? What activities, challenges and responsibilities do you want to do?
• Would you consider short term, interim or self-employed work?
• What salary and benefits do you need? What is the minimum salary you are willing to accept? Does it match the industry norm?
• What type of culture do you want to work in?
• What are you prepared to compromise on?
• What are my career goals for the next 12 months, 2 years or 5 years?

Sometimes roles are not advertised with salaries. The following sites will let you research the average salary for jobs and give you an idea of where the role might be positioned.
Total jobs
Payscale
Hays
Randstad

​Establish a clear vision for what you want your ideal role to be.  This will help align your professional interests, aspirations and skills to the jobs that ensure that you perform at your best.  What is your wish list for your next role? Try to be specific as this helps narrow down search parameters and means that you are more likely to find your dream role.  Would you be content and confident in this role?

#2 Spruce up your documents and social media
Do your CV, LinkedIn Profile and other social media showcase your brand appropriately?  Is there anything that could affect your application? 

There is a good chance that a future employer will check out your online profiles, both personal and professional, before making a job offer and sometimes even before interviewing.  Employers are also using LinkedIn to find candidates.

Do your CV and LinkedIn profile show how you can fix the problem that an employer has? Weave your narrative into what they are looking for.  Try to work on your personal brand.  Write down what you want to be known for and what you want people to think of when they look at your profiles.

#3 Fill in the gaps
Having completed initial research into your dream role are there any gaps in your knowledge?

• Knowledge based – are there any online courses or classes that could be completed?
• Experience based – could you volunteer within cross functional teams at your existing employer or undertake new projects to get exposure to areas that you need to grow in?

#4 Perfect your elevator pitch
Before you start approaching businesses and/or network connections you need to be able to clearly articulate the question “tell me about yourself”.  This can be achieved through creating a great elevator pitch which is engaging, short and tells a story clearly and concisely.

The journey to finding your dream career may not be a smooth affair and it is hard not to take it personally or feel discouraged when you are hoping for a ‘yes’ but hear ‘no’, especially when you have spent a long time preparing your application or for an interview.  
​
Rejection can often strike at the very core of your confidence and be viewed as a sign of failure, a feeling that many of my clients and myself have experienced, particularly as our world and the way that we live, work and play has changed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

​Whilst it is perfectly acceptable and understandable to wallow for a minute or two you should use this as an opportunity to deconstruct your failures and extract all of the learning points thereby creating stepping stones to build on your core strengths, address development points and ultimately find a job that suits you best. 

As Aristotle stated “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light” and with the right mindset you can turn rejection into a career development opportunity, keep your spirits up and provide you with SMART solutions for handling future applications.

The tips below may assist you in how can you overcome this and move things forward.

• Ask for detailed feedback – a great way to learn is to request feedback from the recruiter.  Be humble not defensive when you speak to them.  Accept the feedback and learn from it.  You want the recruiter to remember you positively and reach out to you if another job opportunity comes up in the future that fits your skills, experience and abilities.

• Review and reflect – if you can get feedback from the recruiters use this and your thoughts to truly reflect on why you weren’t successful, did you really give those awesome concrete examples during an interview? Can a recruiter see in your CV how you would add value to an organisation?.  If you find yourself constantly downplaying yourself take a step back and truly think about what makes you different and what you have achieve in your career so far? Ask your friends, family and network contacts for feedback too on what makes you different?

• Identify learnings and build a personal development plan – what do you need to do differently?  What are your development needs? Can these be easily overcome? What can you do to fix any gaps in your performance so that they don’t occur next time?

• Be philosophical – sometimes things are out of our control, other candidates might have better suited the needs of the organisation.  Remember that it isn’t just you that got rejected, the majority of people who applied for the role also didn’t get it. 

• Be prepared to refine or change the direction of your career search – take a look at other similar roles in different industries or a change of career if the roles available don’t meet your personal needs and circumstances.

• Build resilience – you need to try to develop a thick skin and recognise that things happen for a reason and that it might take time to find and secure your dream job.  Overcoming obstacles along the way will increase your chances of landing the right role, learn from it and get ready for the next role.

Remember, whilst a job rejection might seem like the end of the world, never let your inner driving force down, keep pushing yourself, learn more about yourself and improve yourself for the future. 

Mahatma Gandhi wisely said “The future depends on what you do today.” — Your dreams can and will come true, it might take you a while, but you will eventually get there if you plan the steps to achieve.

BACVW, career journey, careerpathways,  jobhunting, jobrejection, jobsearch, journeytoajob, thecareerowl

There are so many different elements that make up job hunting so I thought it would be useful to break it down into an A to Z listing to help you.
 
A     Apply | Ask | Achievements | Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

• Focus your application process – it is very easy to just send out to any role – think what you truly want.
• What have been your past achievements? Can you quantify your achievements where possible – did you reduce, increase, grow, improve or save?
• Try to shape your CV incorporating the key words/language used in the job description.  Is the job title exactly the same as yours – if applying for the same type of job (if not put your current job title and then in brackets put the job title from the add).

B     Be your Best | Bounce Back | Buddy

• Champion your own cause – show the market what value you bring to them.
• When things don’t go well, there is always something you can get from it – use it as a learning experience and try to move on quickly by focussing on what you did well.
• Try and buddy up with a friend/associate who can be there as a sounding board for helping with your job search. 

C    Craft | Commit | CV | Cover Letter

• Your CV is the window into you and what you will bring to a new employer.  Shape it so that it truly paints a picture of you and your experience.
• Finding a job may take time and you need to prepare yourself that success won’t happen overnight. 
• Consider using different layouts for different job roles particularly if you are moving industry.  Can a future employer see quickly how you will make a difference to them?
• Sometimes you are asked to include a cover letter.  Focus on your motivation for the role and joining the organisation.

D    Differentiate | Develop | Discuss

• Think how you will make your documents stand out from the crowd. Can a recruiter easily see what you have done and the difference you made in previous roles?
• Have you got all of the desired skills wanted for your role in a different business? Could you benefit from training in that particular field?
• Discuss with friends, family, network contacts that you are seeking new opportunities. Get them to champion your cause too. 

E    Endurance | Engage

• It will take time to find a new opportunity, it is extremely rare for you to literally walk into another role (unless you have been headhunted).  Take things slowly and steadily, try not to panic.
• Engage with businesses in your chosen field – build network connections, send in speculative enquiries.

F    Friends | Follow up | Forgive Yourself

• Use your network connections to champion your cause.
• Follow up after applications as it shows that you are keen on the role and see yourself as part of the organisation.
• You will go through a range of emotions when looking for a job, particularly if you entered the job market via redundancy.  Take time to reflect but try to put an end date on it and then try to move on.

G    Grin | Go forward | Give

• When attending interviews, try to exude positivity of the situation you are in.  Demonstrate positive body language and confidence.
• Even if you are not successful in a particular application or job interview use it as a learning experience, What went well? What didn’t? How would you handle similar questions/processes in the future?
• Whilst looking for work could you help others? Consider things such as recommendations on LinkedIn, volunteering (sometimes this leads to opportunities).

H    Help Yourself and Help Others

• Helps you to remain positive and in some cases could lead to potential avenues for work opportunities.

I    Ignore | Invest | Interview

• Ignore the doubt in your head or from others.  Use opportunities as experiences to make yourself better.
• You might need to invest in some training but this all adds value to your application and ensures that you are a nearly complete package.
• Ensure you fully prepare before an interview, consider the likely questions they may ask and how you would respond (consider using the STAR or CARE method) as well as questions you might ask an employer.

J    Jargon | Job Description | Job Sites

• What terminology is used in your chosen field versus your current field of work? Are there any differences? What do they mean? Ensure you are well versed in these.
• The job description for the role is the most important part of any job hunt.  It is the wish list of an employer for the candidate.  It articulates the expectations of the organisation and allows you to decide if the role is for you.
• Job sites are a quick but not necessarily effective way of finding job opportunities.  My advice is to use it to find roles but then apply directly through an employer, that way ensuring that your application actually gets to the employer.

K    Kick Back | Keep Promises | Kindness

• Try to take a bit of time out from job hunting.  Use the time to recharge your batteries and reflect on what is going well and what isn’t.
• If you have been contacted by a recruiter and asked to supply additional information within a certain time try to do it.  If you have subsequently changed your mind, let them know.
• Always put yourself first and your welfare and if it means taking a step back then do so.  This can be difficult if you are claiming benefit support via the job centre as there seems to be an expectation for you to constantly job hunt, however this doesn’t benefit anyone as you could end up running out of steam.

L    Learn | LinkedIn Profile

• Use every opportunity as a learning opportunity.  Things might not always be successful but it gives you the skills to adapt and be resilient.
• LinkedIn needs to become a key part of your job-hunting strategy.  Ensure you have an “All Star Profile” that shows your value to a future employer 365 days a year.  Tweak it slightly every few weeks so that you continue to appear at the top of searches.  Consider the following three aspects.
  • Engage with other people’s content regularly – comment and show that you are an expert in your field.
  • Are you able to create content? This helps you to differentiate yourself in the market.
  • Try to regularly add new people to your network – look at connecting with people at the level above you who most likely would be recruiting for your roles.

M    Motivate | Monitor | Measure

• Linked with the buddy mentioned above, use them to keep yourself motivated during the job-hunting process.  If you have concerns talk to them as an independent person.
• Keep an eye on what is happening in the market, what are the current trends in your chosen field? What companies are currently recruiting / downsizing?  What skills etc. are needed in your chosen field?
• Have you had feedback from a particular job application? Were there any details on who to contact? Have you followed it up?

N    News | Networking

• Linked to above, keep an eye on the market.
• Over 40% of jobs are within the hidden market in the UK, using effective networking allows you to tap into this market.  Use these people to discover opportunities that you might not find through traditional methods of jobsites or agencies.

O    Organisation | Own Results | Offer | Opportunities

• Plan your time wisely, Where do you want to look? What type of jobs are you interested? What are your values, do they meet the values of potential organisations you are looking at?
• Once you have submitted an application or attended an interview, do you follow it up to show your interest?
• When you are made an offer particularly if you have more than one on the table consider the entire package not just the salary.  What is the total package such as holidays, pension, bonus, development opportunities, flexibility?
• What opportunities are actually out there in your chosen field? Do they fit your current needs? If not, could you look to transition into another industry or job role? What transferable skills do you have?

P    Part-time | Problem Solving | Process | Priorities

• Could you consider looking at part-time or temporary opportunities initially to get your foot in the door, particularly if it is a new industry? Will there be scope in the future to move into full-time?
• Can you demonstrate to a future employer how you can solve their problem efficiently and effectively? Do you have the skills and capabilities to help drive their business forward?
• Research the steps involved in securing the job opportunities.  Do they want a CV and cover letter, job application, presentation, psychometric tests etc? Will the interview be a number of different stages? How will interviews be conducted e.g. face to face, video etc? How quick will it take to respond at each stage?
• What is important to you? Think about what is a priority to you and what you are prepared to compromise on.

Q    Qualify | Quantity | Quick Responses | Question

• Ensure you are clear in your CV/cover letter how you actually added value to a previous organisation.  Try to quantify using specific measurables.
• Consider the length of and information contained within your CV.  Is it easy for the end user?
• If you need to respond quicker to a question from a recruiter do so.
• Prepare some questions ahead of a potential interview, what is it you want to know about the organisation.

R    Reward | Review | Routine

• Linked to taking time out for yourself, reward yourself as you go along to keep yourself motivated.
• Continuously review what you do as you go along – does it fit with the industry and methods of recruitment? Are there any areas of improvements?
• How are you going to manage your job hunt? Daily, every other day? Consider your new operating hours.  It gives you focus so that you don’t become demoralised with the job-hunting process.

S   Social Media | Sell yourself with pride | Second Interview | Strengths

• Social media needs to become your best friend.  Use it to let people know you are looking for roles as well as for networking purposes.
• You are the best champion of you.  Do yourself proud.  Effectively think of yourself as a product that is being advertised in the market, what is the best thing about you?
• Attending a 2nd interview can often be a daunting experience.  Be prepared to answer similar questions to your first interview but you might be meeting with peers or senior management this time.  Think about what they might want to hear from you.
• Think about what makes you different, your strengths.  How can you add value to an organisation from your career path to date?

T    Talk | Think professional | Track | Training | Threats

• Talk to network connections – pick up the phone and see if there are any opportunities or ask for an informal chat.
• Remember to be professional in all of your dealings.  Even if you haven’t heard anything from a company, don’t use social media to vent your frustrations.
• Keep a record of all of your applications.  Save a copy of the version of the CV submitted for that role along with the job description in case you are called for interview.
• As mentioned earlier, consider training opportunities to enhance your skills and make you stand out in the market.
• What issues are affecting your current market? Will it impact on job opportunities? Do you need to consider a transition to another industry?

U    Umbrella | Unleash potential | Utilise

• What different types of roles exist within your chosen field? Could you consider a move into a different job role to take a step back into the job market? What are you prepared to compromise on?  Do your research.
• How can you demonstrate your worth to a future employer? How can you make a difference?
• Networking is key …. Utilise it and add value to your search.

V    Value | Volume

• How can you demonstrate your value to a future employer?
• On the flip side, are there are personal values that you are not prepared to compromise on when it comes to a future employer?
• Volume doesn’t breed success.  In the past it might have done, the key nowadays is to ensure that you reflect the organisation in your CV.

W    Work Experience | Weak Ties | Weaknesses

• Consider work experience as a means of getting back into the jobs market, particularly if it is in a new industry.  Opportunities could come from this.
• You never know who knows who.  If you know what you want from a role, your network can work in your favour.
• Where are your development areas? Are they critical to be successful in your chosen field or are there areas which could be developed but are nice to haves?

X    X-ray | Xcel

• Try to predict what a future employer is actually looking for in a candidate? Do you think they might have an internal candidate?
• You are your own worst enemy.  Be positive and use every opportunity as your chance to shine and “xcel!!”.

Y    You | Yes

• Try to remain positive and show you off in the best light.
• Remember to try to sound really positive when you are made an offer.  But only accept if you truly see yourself as part of the organisation.

Z    Zero Response

• Sometimes you might not hear anything from recruiters and it is frustrating particularly when you have spent lots of time preparing the application.  One way of overcoming this is to go direct, find out the recruiting manager and apply direct.

#jobhunting #jobsearch #a-zjobhunting 

Searching for a job can be a daunting experience.  Where do you start? What questions do you need to ask?

This blog will give you some pointers about what to expect and what you need to do when searching for a job.

Step 1 – review where you are

• What have you achieved in your career so far?
• Where do you want to get to?
• What skills are you most confident in?
• What makes you unique?
• What experience do you have?
  • Work experience
  • Voluntary experience
  • Other experiences
• What are your goals?
• What time frame for looking for a job are you looking at?
• Have you updated your CV and cover letter to reflect the job role that you are applying for?
• What type of role are you looking for? - full time, part-time, permanent, temporary, internship, self-employment
• What responsibilities do you want to have? What do you currently like or dislike?
• What type of organisation do you want to work for? Is it a small/medium business (SME), national company or international company? 
• What is important to you? Be clear on what you want

 
Step 2 – how to look for jobs

• Research employers
  • Create a list of target employers that you want to work for
    • Look at the Companies careers page, Indeed page, Glassdoor and LinkedIn to find out information on the company. 
• Use a search engine to find recent articles on the company – are there any latest developments? This is useful when attending an interview and they ask what you know about the organisation.
• Network with people who currently work there – ask them specific questions such as what is it like to work there? Do they know if there are any roles available?  How are roles recruited for?
• Useful avenues for finding a job
  • Job Boards Online such as Reed, Indeed, Job site, CV Library
  • Trade, national and local press
  • Networking – this can be face-to-face or using LinkedIn to build connections at different organisations in your local area that do the same job role that you do.
  • LinkedIn 

Step 3 – follow up

• Don’t become invisible – follow up on your application within a few days asking if your CV/application has been received.
• Ask for feedback

If you would like some support with job hunting techniques and recommendations email me today at thecareerowl@gmail.com and I’ll help you get started.

You submitted your CV or application form and have now been invited to a job interview.  Help … what next? This blog will give you some pointers about what to expect and what you need to do to prepare for a Job Interview.
 
An Overview of Job Interviews
Job Interviews are an important part of any recruitment process. But what are interviewers actually looking for?

1. Can you do the job? Do you have what it takes?
2. Will you do the job? (or are you just going through the motions?)
3. Clarify any points you have raised in your CV.
4. Do you fit in with the other employees and the organisation as a whole?

 
Shining in a job interview is very much about preparation and planning beforehand and ensuring that your personality shines through. 
 
What are the different types of Job Interviews?

• Telephone interview

Initial chat to fully gauge your interest.  May ask you some competency based questions but often tends to be a general chat about you and your career to date.  Think of this as a chance to showcase your “elevator pitch” of your job history and skills.

• Webinar interview

Similar to the above but sometimes can involve you answering prepared questions and recording your responses to these.

• Group assessment

Often used for Graduate schemes or more senior appointments

• Face to face interview (one to one)

Used to ask competency based questions (probe your experience by asking questions that need you to demonstrate when you have previously experienced a situation).

• Face to face interview (panel)

Similar to above but you would be interviewed by more than one person

• Presentation

Given a specific topic to respond to such as how would you implement a particular project? What would you include in a specific policy?

• Work trial

Opportunity for you to show your skills in a real life situation.
 
How to prepare for a Job Interview
Should you just wing it or do you need to do some preparation? To be successful for a job interview it is important for you to complete the following:-

• Visit the organisation’s website – what is the purpose of the organisation?
• Review the job description – what skills are they looking for? What transferable skills do you have?
• Think of some examples that you can talk about to demonstrate those skills or behaviours
• Plan for the unexpected.  If you are doing a telephone interview, do you have somewhere quiet to go? If you are attending a face to face interview do you know where you are going? What is the dress code? Who are you meeting?

 
Tips for face to face interviews
Remember that first impressions count.  Wear something professional and appropriate but not uncomfortable.  Your handshake is important, so look the interviewer in the eye and shake firmly.  A smile will often help too!
 
Tips for telephone interviews
Just because someone can’t see you doesn’t mean that you can’t dress up or smile.  This might help put you in the right frame of mind to respond.
 
Tips for answering questions
Don’t panic and be yourself
 
Listen carefully to the question. If you are unsure of how to answer, or missed part, don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat it. Don’t try to fit your prepared answer to the question if it won’t work, take a second to think of a more appropriate reply.
 
Just remember the essentials of a good interview
E          ENGAGE
B         BRAIN
B         BEFORE
O         OPENING
M         MOUTH

• Give examples but never exaggerate your abilities

 
Questions at the end of the Job Interview
Come prepared with some questions to ask at the end of the interview, such as:-

• What are the top priorities for my first 6 months in the job?
• How would you describe the team I will be working with?
• How would you describe the work culture here?
• What do you enjoy most about working here?
• In what ways is performance measured?
• What training and professional development opportunities will be available?
• When will a decision be made on the role?

 
It will show the interviewer that you are interested and help you to visualise what it would like to work there.
 
In summary, preparing for an interview is as important as completing your CV or application form.  Preparation is key to demonstrate that you are the best person for the role. 
 
If you would like some support in preparing for a Job Interview email me today at thecareerowl@gmail.com and I’ll help you get started.