the a to z of job hunting

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 with some pointers 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