Finding the Right Job
Thinking carefully about where you search for a job will greatly increase your chances of finding the right one. Spread your net wide but don’t look just anywhere. In most cases job hunters should be doing the following:
Make use of recruitment agencies
Look for an established recruitment agency that is offering good quality jobs. Be wary of advice from consultants as they are often working on a commission basis, meaning their advice may not be entirely objective. Consultants should also display a commitment to finding you a job, contacting you regularly with suitable jobs, briefing potential employers before sending you to them and providing feedback from interviews.
Check the Newspapers
Find out which newspapers specialise in your profession and on what day the new adverts appear. The best jobs tend to be advertised in national press or industry journals, however local newspapers can be useful as well, again there is usually one day a week when new job adverts are released. Stay away from local job magazines, which are usually just repetitions of adverts which have already appeared in the newspaper.
Keep an eye on trade magazines and professional journals
These will include useful job vacancies and keep you up to date with what is going on in your profession. Many of these types of magazine are subscription only and students / graduates often get a reduced rate.
Get online
All of the previously mentioned sources will have an online presence, online recruitment services such as monster.co.uk have thousands of jobs to be filled, and there are more specialist ones for certain professions, in some cases you can save your details and get employers to come to you.
Go directly to companies
This can sometimes uncover an unknown vacancy, find a relevant contact associated with recruitment and address your enquiry directly to them, stating what type of job you are interested in and why you are suitable. Don’t be too pushy and don’t always expect a reply. It can also be useful to get a friend or family member to introduce you to their employer, a practice which is actively encouraged by some companies.
Stay Sharp
If you’re having trouble finding a job it might be a good idea to keep your skills up to speed by doing a course or qualification, Head to www.hero.ac.uk to find out more about further education.