Job hunting in a recession

This is not my most favourite task and I am sure that it is not yours either. When I started looking for work I bemoaned the task on twitter whereby two different people responded to me. One saying: “you need to look at these big web sites such as monster, Irish jobs and recruit Ireland”. And the other saying “don’t look at those sites it is all about who you know and networking”. So who the hell was right?  For me – neither was right. 

Then of course you hear the advice from people saying “the jobs are out there, you just got to be fast and get in there at the right time”   Ah hell! How can quick can I be?

My advice to anyone looking for a job right now in this tough economy is to try all angles and don’t leave any stone unturned when you are looking.  I have written down a few key points for you to follow when you are job hunting in a recession.  These are tips and pointers that have worked for me recently. 

Know what job you are looking for. 

This sounds a bit obvious doesn’t it?  But if you are not sure what exact job you want, how will whoever reads your C.V know that too.  So you have just finished a job where you were mostly doing administration and secretarial work.  But you want to move a step higher or in to the same area.  You need to define your skills and figure out the answers to some questions.  

Are you someone that is more secretarial and administration? Are you an office manager? Or, are you an operations manager.    

Think about these jobs mentioned, they all fall under the same hat in my opinion in one way or another.  You could have experience to complete all jobs in this list.  But if you are going for the Operations Manager position, you don’t want your C.V to look like the secretary position.   

Remember that you want your C.V to be targeted for the specific job you are going for. So make sure you know what you want from a job and then think about what the employer is looking for.

Target your C.V to the job you want.

So you are looking for a secretary position so that you can get working as soon as possible, but ultimately you want to be an office manager.   This means that you will need two C.Vs – this means two different job profiles and descriptions.  Remember both jobs are different, and will require different qualifications and experience so you need to ensure you that your C.V meets these.

My recommendation at this point is to look at job descriptions of jobs that are already out there on the internet.  Take a look at those buzz words in the description and try to work them in to your C.V.

You need to make sure that the person reading your CV knows that you can do the job.  Most important make sure you can do those jobs and have examples of when you completed the tasks for when you are asked at the interview stage.

Take a look at this picture to help branding yourself on your CV.

 

Large Websites

There are many jobs websites out there for example Irish Jobs, recruit Ireland etc.  Be careful when using these sites. I found that sometimes when a job was advertised on these websites, if you went to the actually company whether it is a recruitment agency or the actual company, the job was no longer available or it was initially published months ago.  So whilst it is great to use these – use your head too and make sure you are applying for jobs that are still active and not dead in the water from months ago.

The one thing about using these websites is that it expands your own knowledge of recruitment agencies out there. It also allows you to connect with many recruitment personnel who may be able to help you in future.  My one advice on these websites is to be careful.

Target companies in your area

Have you ever thought “oh I would love to work for X company?”  Then isn’t now the perfect time to try.  Look at their website, is there a careers section? Take a look at it and see what information is available. Can you sign up for notifications on vacancies?  If not, save it to your favourites and visit it once a week to check out if anything is available.   

Networking

Networking is important; making those connections that can help you will stand to you in the longer term.   But if like me you find it hard to ask people you worked with for favours than something like linked in is perfect for you.  Linked in connect you with people that you work or have worked with.   It is basically an electronic version of your CV, whereby people can also write a review about working with you and endorse your credentials.   But as it is real time, when you change job or are unemployed you can put the call out subtly to your contacts for help – without actually asking.  Hopefully someone will notice you are looking and maybe be able to help.  Remember any dealings that you have in a work or recruitment capacity, make sure you follow up with a linked in connection.  This will make your network bigger and allow you to make connections further afield than your own company.     There are pitfalls to linked in so make sure you don’t connect with your boss and than broadcast out that you are looking for another job! Big mistake. 

It is worth looking at other methods of job searching as well such as twitter.  Again remember to use correctly as the person reading it could be your future employer.

 

Internships

Internships are currently being supported by the Irish Government as a way of getting people back in to the work place.  Whilst I wasn’t initially a fan of these preferring to see them more as cheap labour than someone actually getting experience.  Being out of work for some time now has made me realise that maybe an internship isn’t so bad after all.  If I get out and get back that reason for getting up in the morning – even if it is for crap money – isn’t it better than sitting on my ass watching it get bigger and bigger.  You bet it is.  So please don’t rule out the fact that an internship will help you get back to work, get yourself respect back and most importantly ensure that your CV doesn’t have a big hole that you really don’t want to have to explain.   Consider it! It may just work for you.

While I understand that job searching isn’t easy in a recession I also understand that a few little steps as discussed will make things that little bit easier for you.  So remember these steps and put every effort in to them.

1.       Know what job you are looking for.

2.       Target your C.V to the job you want.

3.       Large Websites

4.       Target companies in your area

5.       Networking

6.       Internships

What worked or working for you?

S

 

Networking to build your career

Your CV is ready – but how do you go about finding that ever elusive job!   Networking is a very important aspect to looking for a new job and getting to know the right people.

Networking is having conversation with people who you know can help you with information about other people they know in order to seek the following:

• Advice,
• Ideas,
• Connections,
• Information,
• Support.

Remember that old saying “its not what you know its’ who you know” that sums up networking perfectly.

There are 5 simple steps that will help produce positive networking results for you.

1. Build your network - Know who you can talk too that will get you places.
2. Prepare your story – i.e always use the truth and never lie.
3. Prepare and practice to build confidence in talking to theirs.
4. Make calls – make appointments
5. Develop a tracking system.

Has anyone any particularly good or bad experiences around networking? Leave them in comment section of this blog.

S

Fashion Friday – Career Wear – what to wear to an interview.

Thank you to everyone for your kind words regarding my post on creating the perfect CV.  Some of you have asked the next all important question – what do you wear to an interview?

If you don’t have the right outfit on to an interview, you could lose the job without even saying one single word.   If you don’t take pride in your appearance on that one day – how can someone interviewing you have confidence that you will take pride in your work?  It is that simple. 

Men : So for men it is always easy – you can’t go wrong with a business suit. Black is just a tad too formal and very much like you are attending a funeral rather than a job interview so maybe go for a dark grey colour.   

Make sure your socks match – and are not white – yes men you heard me.  The only place to see white on a man is a nice crisp white shirt.   

A nice tie to compliment the suit and voila the man is now dressed for an interview.

Ladies:  it is always hardest for us.   A suit is perfect whether it is skirt or pants suit.  But please make sure your skirt is not too short – too short and you could be interviewing for the wrong job.   

Picking the right colour is not as hard as you think – go for a business colour, such as black, brown or grey.  Never go with the current fashion trend when it comes to interviews unless your job requires such as  thing.  If you do wear a skirt and are wearing tights – bring an extra pair – just in case.

If you are wearing a shirt or blouse – wearing a long sleeve blouse is most professional as it will help convey a professional look.   Dresses are fine for an interview, but be careful not too be too dressy or even too casual.

When it comes to accessories and an interview less is more. Limit the amount of jewellery that you are wearing.  Avoid over using perfume  - too much can knock someone out.  But also, and something most people don’t think about – the person interviewing you could be allergic to your perfume.  I am this person, I sneeze at everything so watch out.  Closed shoes and make sure your heels are not too high.

Take your time to pick out the perfect outfit. Take time and don’t leave it until the last minute.

The Rules are simple and can be summarised like this

Men

• Wear a suit – dark blue / grey work best.  Black is too formal.
• Nice crisp white shirt
• Tie that compliments that your suit – should be long enough to go to your belt.
• Shiny Shoes
• No white socks – go for a block colour e.g black or grey.  Patterns can be a little too stand out.

Women

• If you wear a skirt – make sure it is below your knee
• Long Sleeve blouse portrays more professionalism.
• Basic colours work best  - black, grey or navy. 
• Avoid on trend items unless appropriate to the job you are applying for.
• Bring extra tights / pantyhose just in case
• Don’t over accessorize,
• Not too much perfume,
• Not too much make up. 

 I hope that you have enjoyed this edition of Fashion Friday meets Career Day - if you have any feedback feel free to email me or leave a comment.

S

Looking for a new job? Check out some helpful tips for creating your CV.

Wow isn’t creating a CV a horrible task.   There are so many questions to be answered. What format, font, type, and length of CV do I go for?   

This is a situation which I am currently facing and I have spent some time reviewing information on CV’s - the perfect one.    At this point I am not sure if it exists as many recruitment agencies and employers seem to prefer differing types of CVs, this is why I now have two CVs to choose from. 

In my previous job I have spent some time talking to people about their CV’s and what makes the perfect one so I have previously given advice on this subject.  This is the first time i am putting my own advice to the test.  

So here are my steps to creating your CV

Step One

Start with a blank page – yes it is that simple.  Whether it is a blank word document or a blank A4 page – whatever works best for you.   At this point don’t worry about format of your CV.  Just write down your work experience, write down anything that you have done in your personal, professional and educational life that you feel contributes to your employment within your chosen field.  It doesn’t matter whether it takes up 1 or 4 pages, what matters is the fact that you have it all down on paper.

Step two

Walk away from the document you created above.  If you have created the document on your computer print it out.  Bring the document with you in your purse, wallet, back pocket or just put it somewhere you can easily come back too.  But the most important thing is to walk away for a hour, four hours, a day.  Come back to the document when you think to yourself “hang on I should put down that I do voluntary work for X company”   or “I really don’t need to tell them I was girl guide of the year when I was 11”   Believe me giving yourself some time, you will know when it is right to go back to the CV as a whole.

Step Three

As I have said above you will recognise when it is right to go back and finish the CV and put a format on it.  Only do that when you know that you have right work experience information and educational experience down on paper.    This next step is to separate everything you have on paper in to categories.   Define is it work experience, is it voluntary work, is it a hobby, is it educational?

Step four

If you haven’t already started to put this in to a word document – then start now.

Step five

With all the information now down on paper you just need to top and tail the information.  i.e open and close it. 

So you need your personal information for the top, i.e your name, address and contact information.  You do not need to put your sex and marital status on a CV.  It is illegal for a company to rule against  against you for these reasons but my thoughts on this is why give them an opportunity to rule against you.  Within my previous employment there is one company within the industry well know for rule against women and married men for the obvious reason so I would hesitate to put it there – but it is your decision.

To tail your CV you need references, you have two choices here.  You can say references available upon request- which means you can chose your references to suit whatever job you are doing for.  Different skills may call for different people.   Or you can choose two people.  If this is your first real job you are applying for after work experience then I would suggest using a character reference along with someone you have previously completed work for.  Yes, even in a work experience capacity.   Make sure your references know that they are your references so as they are not caught off-guard.

This is your decision.  At the moment I am going for “references available upon request” mainly because my CV fits nicely in to one page that way.

Step Six

Print it out – how long is it?  My recommendation is not to go for any more than two pages – of course this does depend on your skills that you have already amassed.  However, if it does go more than two pages – just headline the older jobs that you have previously held.  Give a brief summary of your job description rather than every little thing that you did.     This also works for one page CV’s as well.  Just headline it! Remember the person who is going to interview you will ask you more information on specific tasks and this will allow you the time to give them more information on the other tasks that you completed.

Step Seven

Again, print out your CV and give it to someone to review.    Choose this person wisely, choose the person who you know has a great attention to detail, great spelling and grammar.  Get them to check the font size and type ensuring the consistency all the way through the document.  Your CV is like handing in an assignment to a Professor, it must be perfect to get that A+ so chose wisely.   Also, remember that any feedback that you are given, is meant out of kindness and not ill-will.   Take the feedback on board, and think to yourself “are they right?” “do I need to amend this section”

Step Eight 

Your Cover letter – this is as important as the CV and the first point that will help you get noticed.  Remember first impressions last.  You will need to use different letters for each job that you apply for so that you can tailor your application.

The letter must be substantial in its content.  Ensure your tone is pleasant and sincere in its tone.   Your cover letter should never be more than one page with three paragraphs.  Try and find out who is responsible for the recruitment within the company so that you can address them directly.   (Pick up the phone and ring if you don’t know)

1^st Paragraph – Who you are and why you are writing – include any reference number for the specific job.

2^nd Paragraph -  Tell the person you are writing to why you are good for the specific job you are applying for.  Relate to the job description that you have been provided with and demonstrate how you can achieve or have previously achieved these core tasks.

3^rd Paragraph – Closing statement.  Thank the person you are writing too for considering your application.

Other ideas that maybe useful to you for your new CV and cover letter. 

• Perhaps you would like to put a career or character statement on your CV.  This would be a statement regarding your previous work history along with how you will fit the role you are applying for.   Place this under your personal information and keep to no more than 4 lines on your CV.

• When saving your CV on a computer to be emailed – save your CV as your name and the date of your CV.  This will help the recruiter you are applying to but also a good archiving and saving method for you.

• If you already have a written reference from someone, why not add this in to your CV at the references section.   Just a few lines which may help the recruiter with the new position you are applying for.

• Send your CV in a PDF format.   Try not use the free PDF software you get online which provides you with an advertising logo on the front.

• If you don’t have a PDF printer to do this – then save the document in Word 97 – this will ensure that if someone is working from the older version of Word that the CV will open.

• Place a photograph of yourself on your CV – not the one from the drunken Christmas party – but a profressional photograph  - this will help your CV stand out alittle from the standard word only documents.

• Depending on the job which you are applying for it may be necessary to add your Degrees or licences, if so, scan all these documents in to one document and send on with your CV as a separate attachment.  Again ensure they are titled correctly – stating your name and date.

Common mistakes on CV’s

1. Too long – one / two pages maximum.
2. No organisation – information is scattered and the CV is hard to read.
3. Poorly typed / bad paper/printer – this makes it hard for the recruiter to read so be careful.
4. Too little / too much information – don’t go back too far in your career history.  Add in what is relevant to the job you are applying for.
5. Misspellings, typing errors, poor grammar – remember get someone to check your CV for these errors.

I hope that you find this information useful to you in the creation of your CV.  Best of luck with this and if you have any other helpful tips you would like to share - just add them in the comments section.

S