A guide for job seekers

By Rob Barklamb Langdale Search & Selection

No Stigma Your Options Be Decisive Getting the Most from your Employer Facing Facts The CV Get Online 1 – job boards

• Get Online 2 – Networking• Online 3 – Scour and Search• Using Recruitment Consultancies• Using Your Network• Keeping Your Hand In• Work at It• Interviewing• Closing the Deal

Many good people are being made redundant – do not feel any stigma if you have been made redundant

Accept that it has happened and move on

Try to stay positive Think about who may be able to

support you – make the most of that

You do have some: Look for a similar job Look for a career change Start up your own business/go

freelance Travel Modify lifestyle and take the benefits to

which you are entitled

Pros:- You are qualified to

do this- You are

“marketable”- You may have

contacts- May have

transferrable skills

Cons- Whole sector may be

depressed- You might yearn for

a change

Pros- Other sectors may

have more opportunities

- Other roles may hold more interest

Cons- May be a bit fanciful

– you have few transferrable skills/experience

- There are “better” candidates than you

- Rec Cons may struggle to help you

Pros- Autonomy, wealth,

chance to put redundancy money to use

- Freelancing/temping etc may open earnings opportunities

Cons- Is your business idea

viable in this economy?

- Funding may be hard to find

Pros- If you can afford it,

great opportunity- May give you time

you may never get again

An expensive luxury

Often people find jobs VERY quickly or very slowly

The longer you are out of work...

So crack on!

Out placement Access to information CV advice, interview advice Their contacts – facilitating a move Get a great reference Get great online references

Supply and Demand has changed Swallow your pride – be flexible Will Need to sell yourself – it’s

competitive Finding a job will be a full time job You need to get organised Bottom line – a much more competitive

job market than when you last looked

The first task is to write a new CV or upgrade/revise your old CV

Remember – CVs are to get you interviews – aim it accordingly

Have different versions

• Is honest• Is concise and well and consistently laid

out• Is objective and factual• Is up to date and explains gaps• Contains key words• Has accurate spelling and punctuation• Sells you whilst retaining objectivity• FACTS! FACTS! FACTS!

Which ones? How many? But only apply for

relevant jobs Sign up for jobs

alerts, etc

Linkedin Plaxo Namyz Ecademy Xing

NB facebook, etc

• Profile as per CV – keywords very important• Get your contact details up there• Get connections!• Get recommendations• Join groups• Ask and answer questions, say what you

are up to – raise profile• Get a presentation on there selling yourself

Competitors’ sites Job boards Recruitment consultancies The press Linkedin, etc Get feeds and alerts but don’t rely on

them

How Many? Which ones? Round pegs and square holes Good ones will KIT and inform you

when things pick up Chase, but avoid “nuisance calls”

• No stigma/swallow your pride

• Who/what do they know?

• Consider temp/contract options

• Keep in with network – seminars, training, conferences

• Apply/contact directly

It can help to keep your hand in. Consider

- Voluntary work - Lecturing/teaching- Training- Writing

Chase and follow up Have a system Learn from your

mistakes Seek feedback if

unsuccessful Keep at it!

• Be prepared- Their website- Their people- Their competition- The role – position

yourself- Trade press- Key industry trends- Competency

scenarios- Have your questions

• Be on time• Dress suitably• Be yourself...• Answer the question

and then shut up!• Don’t fidget• Maintain eye contact

with everyone• Good posture• Don’t interrupt• Tell them you are

interested and close them

Follow up but don’t go too far

Keep looking whilst you wait

Be sensible and flexible

Don’t muck people around