JobsAndCareersWithJamesCaanAutumn2016 - 35

ADVICE:

JOB HUNTING

FINDING YOUR
DREAM
CAREER ISN'T
EASY. GUEST
EDITOR JAMES
CAAN GIVES
YOU GUIDANCE
ON GETTING
AHEAD OF
THE GAME...

J

ob hunting can be
demoralising, but
it's important to
remain positive.
The key is to stay
motivated, believe
that the right
opportunity is just around the corner
and be proactive about finding it.
Treat periods of unemployment as a
golden chance to spend time polishing
and updating your CV, perfecting your
interview technique and researching
what you really want to do.
James has the following advice:

Where does your passion lie?
'One of the first pieces of advice I would
give to someone looking for their big
break is to analyse their personal
passion, skill set and qualifications.
'In other words, think carefully about
what kind of work you want to do
or what sector you want to work in.'

Balance ambition with realism
'Once you have a general idea of what it
is you are looking for, then take a closer
look at the sector you have chosen and
get an idea of exactly what is available.
'There is nothing wrong with being
ambitious and setting your sights
high, but you should still be realistic.
In most sectors, there will be more

candidates than jobs, so competition is
bound to be fierce.'

What environment suits you?
'Next, narrow down your search and
concentrate on specific organisations.
Get an idea of their culture - this is
every bit as important as things like pay.
'Does their environment suit you?
Some organisations are very corporate
and traditional, whereas some are a bit
more quirky. Some are more autonomous,
while the flexibility of hours can also vary
from company to company.'

Ask a lot of questions
'Ensure you are networking and
speaking to people who know what
the employers are looking for.
'See if you can speak to current
employees or recruitment agencies
- they will know exactly what is required
to work at specific companies.'

Be persistent
'Send in your CV and covering letter,
then follow that up with a personal
phone call. You don't want to be
overly pushy, but remember that
managers generally respect people
who are determined. Let your passion
shine through in every aspect of your
communication with them, whether
it's written or verbal.'

SORT YOUR CV AND COVERING LETTER
This is your first point of contact, so it
needs to project the right image. Keep your
covering letter brief and to the point, and
use professional language. Immediately
tell the employer why you're writing.
If you were referred by a mutual contact,
say so. If you're responding to an ad, note
the source and job title. And if you're
approaching a company speculatively,
explain why you want to work for them.
Next, in one or two short paragraphs,
highlight any qualifications, experiences
and accomplishments you have that are
relevant to the job and give examples.
Finally, be positive about the company,
the role and what you can bring to it.
Employers want to be able to quickly
assess what relevant knowledge, skills and
experience you have, so a CV should be

short and easy to read. Experience should
be listed in reverse - starting with your most
recent job and working backwards - and
show a clear employment history, with
greater detail about the more recent jobs
and very little about the earlier ones.
Don't leave gaps. If you've had a break
in employment, explain why. This is where
volunteering or work experience can come
in handy, to show that you are proactive
and keen to use your time wisely.
Layout is important, too. Your CV should
present the relevant information in a way
that's easy to access. Studies show you
only have about 30 seconds to grab an
employer's attention, so don't waste it.
Finally, make sure your contact details
are correct, your email address isn't a
rude or jokey one, and that there are no

typos - read it through several times, and
get someone else to do the same.
James says: 'Take a detailed look at
your CV and make sure that it sits alongside
the kind of job you are hoping to land. It's
important to tailor your CV to particular
roles. For example, you may have decided
to pursue a career in a sector where you
lack experience, and all of your prior jobs
may have been in a very different sector.
'Don't just present your CV as it is - you
need to demonstrate what transferable skills
you have picked up in your jobs to date.
'If you are truly determined to get your
first big job, you need to prove you can
be a success. Even things like working
at your local shop or library provide you
with skills that can be used in a variety of
jobs and industries.'

J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 0 3 5
JobsAndCareersWithJamesCaanAutumn2016

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