Day 7: Relaxation day
It’s not just about work, so take some time to spend with family, friends or pursue an interest, or just relax and enjoy being rather than doing. Remind yourself of what you have done this week, you have
•Got your paperwork together.
•Planned how you will spend your time.
•Got clear on what job(s) interest you.
•Created your CV and LinkedIn profile.
Day 8: Create a personal message – Read Chapter 7
Today you will read Chapter 7 and be clear on your message. This will mean that when you meet people and they ask you what you are looking for, you will have a great reply.
Day 9: Networking – Read Chapter 8
Many people get a job through networking, talking with people they know, and building relationships with people who may be able to help. This chapter talks you through how to develop your network and the steps you need to take when you meet someone.
Day 10: Fact-finding interviews – Read Chapter 9
To find out more about a particular job you can do fact-finding interviews, and this chapter tells you how. You probably won’t start doing these today, but you will understand what you need to do and be ready to get started on them to help in your job search.
Day 11: Research – Read Chapter 10
Research is needed at different stages of job search, from clarifying what job(s) you are going to apply for to research before an interview. This chapter provides excellent resources to help in all aspects of job search, including advanced Google techniques.
Days 12–14: Traditional Job Search – Read Chapters 11–13
Today you will review how to find and reply to job ads using the guidance in Chapter 11. Chapter 12 talks you through how to create a cover letter, and Chapter 13 is about using recruitment agencies. You will register on sites and get ready to apply for jobs.
Day 15: Relaxation Day
Follow the suggestions for Day 7 above and remind yourself of the progress you have made.
Day 16: Active Job Search – Read Chapters 14–16
This means researching and contacting companies directly. For many this is a new approach, so today you will read through what you need to do and then put what you learn into action on the following days.
From now on you need to create and follow a plan; you can also download this from the website.
Daily Tasks
•Plan in advance what you will do each day – many of the tasks will be done every day.
•At the end of each day review your activity: what did you do, what has moved you forward on job search and what hasn’t helped?
•Think about any task you didn’t complete; what held you back?
Traditional Job Search
•Research jobs on websites and upload CV (and cover letter) as appropriate.
•Read professional journals (many are online) to identify jobs.
•If you are interested in retail, walk around to notice any jobs that might be advertised outside a store.
•Research to find out more about a company and industry.
•Write cover letters highly focused on a job.
Active Job Search
•Practise and use your ‘personal message’ by talking with people
•Go to LinkedIn – comment on a discussion, answer a question, find someone to connect with, get in touch with someone you know.
•Undertake fact-finding interviews.
•Knock on doors with copies of your CV.
•Arrange to contact companies directly.
Look after yourself
•Get some exercise each day.
•Eat healthily.
Once you have got into good habits on job search you can read through the section on selection, in particular the sections on the phone interview and interview preparation in Chapters 17 and 18. Once you get shortlisted you can read about the interview and psychometric testing and assessment centres in Chapters 19–21.
You may need help in staying motivated, so Chapter 22 will be a great read. And finally you will get a job offer, and when you do you want to make sure it’s the right job for you; Chapter 23 addresses the areas to consider before you say yes.
Once you get a new job, go back to all the sites where you uploaded your CV and details and delete or deactivate them so you can no longer be contacted. You don’t want your new boss thinking you are already looking for a new job. Also note which sites were most helpful for you and which CV was most effective as you may, unfortunately, be in this position again.
No job is for life, so remember the lessons learned from this and keep your CV up to date just in case.
All my very best in your job search success.
Visit the website to download the additional resources:
•Extensive range of forms
•Audio clips
CHAPTER TWO: GETTING ORGANISED
Getting organised includes creating a filing system to manage papers and forms, both online and paper versions, and forms to manage the different tasks and paperwork. You will need to identify people who will provide references. Before that though, you need to make sure you have a high commitment to the task of finding work, and have a personal support system in place.
Commitment to the task of finding work
“When you look to a date in the future, remember: if you had started today, you would already have achieved success.” Denise Taylor
Looking for a job is a full-time job. If you are out of work due to the recession, you can devote many hours a day to your search efforts. However, if you are in a full-time job, you are going to want to plan your time carefully so you have the time and energy to devote to this task. You must be sure to continue to work effectively in your job no matter how much you may not like the work you do. There will be plenty of other people eager to take your position, and if your boss thinks you are not really interested in it, then it could be you who is the one to lose their job.
How will you find the time to spend on job search? Could you stop watching as much TV or get up at least an hour earlier each day? How about working on weekends or taking a day’s holiday to focus solely on your job search?
If you begin any task in a half-hearted way, you are unlikely to succeed. You will stumble and be hesitant at the first sign of difficulty, and that bold decision to get a new job will fade away. So for now, think about your level of commitment. Make a note of how committed you are to your job search. 10 means you are totally committed, and 1 means you are not at all committed:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
With a level of commitment of 7 or below, you are unlikely to reach your goal of getting that great new job. If you find one excuse after another for not starting, it represents lack of commitment. There is also the danger of having too many other commitments and not enough time for your job search.