How to Kickstart Your Jobsearch
Transcript of How to Kickstart Your Jobsearch
Your job hunt: key steps
Identify career
goals
Targeting the
right jobs
Hidden job market CV Do’s &
Don’ts
Cover letters Social media Acing the
interview
Staying upbeat
Fish4jobs.co.uk/careers-
advice
What job can/should I do?
Your skills &
experience
What you enjoy
doing
What’s available
on the job market
Getting recruiters to come to you
Upload CV to job sites and make sure it’s
visible
Include the right keywords so it gets found
Keep it fresh
If no longer actively job hunting, you can
make non-visible/searchable
CV do’s and
don’ts
Downloads:
1. CV tips
2. CV templates:
• Generic
• Graduate & School leavers
• Mature job seekers
Do: Keep your CV to 2 pages
Tips
No perfect layout
Easy to scan read
Chronological flow: present and work back
Lead with the best stuff first!
Don’t: Include too much personal data
You do not need to include the following on a CV:
Date of birth/age
Marital status
Children
National insurance number
Passport number
Photos!
Generic/irrelevant hobbies
Do: Include relevant hobbies & interests
Things that demonstrate particular relevant skill.
Examples:
Captain of school hockey team (demonstrates
leadership)
Duke of Edinburgh Award
(demonstrates commitment)
Volunteer/community work (proactive)
Visiting museums and art galleries (if applying
for jobs in architecture or the arts)
Cars (if applying to be a
mechanic/work with cars)
Amateur dramatics (if applying for drama
or role that involves public speaking)
Don’t: Just say it, prove it
Examples:
Implemented a new filing system which delivered a cost saving of XX%
Delivered excellent customer service and was awarded Customer Service Advisor
of the month
Excellent selling skills: consistently exceeded sales targets
Do: Personalise your personal profile
3 sections
1. Who you are (education and
work history)
2. What you can bring to the
table (skills, achievements)
3. Your career aim (what job
you want)
Avoid clichés
Keep it concise
Tailor
Download:
Write a profile that packs a
punch
Cover letters: top tips
Keep it short, structured and snappy
Tailor it to each job you apply for
Back up with relevant examples
Bring your reader up to speed on your current situation
Proofread your letter or email with eagle eyes before sending
Sounds simple, but remember to include your address,
telephone number and email
Download:
1. Cover letter tips
2. Templates: generic, school
leavers & graduates
Downloads:
1. Cover letter tips
2. Cover letter templates:
• Generic
• Graduate
• School leavers
Most common interview mistakes
Poor body language
Failing to do your homework
Not staying positive
Not dressing the part
Lack of confidence
Download:
1. Common interview
mistakes
Interview FAQs
1. Tell me about yourself
2. Why should we hire you?
3. What are your weaknesses?
4. Why do you want this job?
5. Give me an example of when you...
Download:
1. Common interview
questions
Social media: Clean up your act
80% of employers Google
candidates before interview/hiring
Google yourself
Keep good company
Use professional names incl. email
Set up Google alerts to monitor
Download:
1. Using social media in
your job search
Social media: Use to your advantage
LinkedIn: Get connected
Get recommended
Build an online platform
Put Twitter to work for you
Be objective
Identify where it’s not working
Get feedback (CV, interview technique etc.)
Skills gap?
Training, volunteering
Re-assess career goals
Evaluate the job market to find that sweet spot
Future webinars: poll
Mature job seekers
School leavers/younger job seekers
Career shifting
Returning to work
Free text box: ideas,people you’d like to hear from