As we approach the August holidays and if you are still in job search mode, you will also need to take a break.
Stop for a while and take a long and careful look at your own activity, what you are doing, what you are saying, to whom and how you go about it.
Like the chain which is only as strong as its weakest link, so too is your job search only as strong as it’s preparation and presentation.
If somewhere in the chain of events that leads to a “job offer” you produce a small, badly worded phrase, a poorly presented document whether it be a C.V. or an e-mail or a poor account of yourself at interview, then that may be the one thing that knocks you off the short list.
Use this time to review every step of the process and be very critical of yourself. Remember the competition is tough, so you must be well prepared and professional at every step of the way. For every job you only get one chance, so you can’t afford to take a chance: Practice.
Review your e-mail of introduction or when responding to an advert. What do you say: is it clear and concise? Are you re-writing your whole C.V. on your cover letter? Keep it tight and informative and most of all tempting to the ‘buyer’ who is the employer. If In doubt ask, advice or get professional help.
Your C.V. Is it good or just a long list of jobs from the past without any real achievement highlighted? Is it full of irrelevant information? Sharpen it up. Treat is as your ‘Brochure’. It’s a selling document so it got to be interesting and contain information that the employer wants. If you’re not sure, ask advice or get professional help.
When you meet your potential employer for an interview are you fully familiar with your career to date. When I ask that everyone cries out ‘how could I not be familiar with my own career’. I can say with certainty that 90% of those attending interviews are not able to recall instantly and with detail any past event that are asked about. If this is the case, ask advice or get professional help.
At second or third interview are you keeping up to speed with the detail as it intensifies? Are you making notes after every interview in preparation for the next? If not, ask for advice or get professional help.
As it starts to look like there is a job offer on the way can you answer: What is your salary expectation? Do you know or have you researched the going rate around the market. If not, ask advice or get professional help.
All in all, have you fully prepared and in detail every step of the process. If you haven’t, then use the holidays to get it all together and ready to go again later in the month.
To be successful in your job hunt you need to spread yourself around as much as possible and personal contacts or networking is a very important part of the process. It’s through letting people know you are on the move that can lead to an unexpected phone call which can lead to an offer.
It is also a good idea, if you haven’t already, to set up a free account with IrishJobs.ie. Once you have done that then set up some job alerts and add your CV to their CV database and set up your job seeker profile. When you do that remember to use the key words that would best describe the job you seek and keep it updated. They give good instructions on doing this, and once done, you can then be found. Make sure your key words are not confusing, keep them snappy and clear.
So back to the subject on hand: yes check all the routes to employment. Ensure your overtures, written and oral are A1-Star professional.
With your presentations fully overhauled and brought up to date you can make a fresh approach into the marketplace when it will be at its most active and busiest time.
Colm Cavey has over 24 years’ experience in helping people change careers and find the kind of job they want. Colm can review your CV, help you organise your job hunt and provide one to one interview and presentation coaching or all of those elements together in a full Career Change programme. To find out more about Colm you can contact him directly on 086-3017207 or via his company Professional Career Consulting