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Whether you are looking to progress your career, return to the employment market after a break, have been made redundant or just looking to do something new, there are five main channels to getting your next job:
- Advertised vacancies
- Recruiters
- Speculative applications direct to employers
- Networking
- Recruitment Fairs
Depending on the type and level of job you are targeting, the balance between each of these channels will vary. As a new graduate, for example, you will probably put most emphasis on advertised vacancies (including the 'milkround') and recruitment fairs. For senior executives, networking or working with 'headhunters' are likely to generate the best opportunities. Technical or specialist jobs may be best sought through recruiters.
Advertised vacancies
- Follow the prescribed application procedure; if an advert asks you to request an application form, do so. Give all details required including salary information, if requested
- Check out national, regional and local newspapers - most carry different job types on different days
- Look at specialist / professional journals for jobs in a specific sector - refer to a media directory (available in reference libraries) for details of publications by classified index
- Search the Internet - especially useful for IT / technical jobs and graduate opportunities. Most of the major newspapers and periodicals have sites on the web with searchable appointments listings. Many recruitment agencies run a CV database where you can register your details
Recruiters
- There are several types of recruitment consultants. Most specialise by industry or function. Use directories (available in reference libraries) or specialist database search companies to access lists of agencies. When approaching recruiters, give as much relevant information as possible to enable them to help you. Be specific about the kind of job and sort of organisation you are targeting, your location preferences and salary expectations.
- Executive Search & Selection Consultants (commonly termed 'headhunters') deal with senior executive / professional positions and usually work on a 'don't call us, we'll call you' basis
- Recruitment Consultants / Recruitment Agencies generally deal with middle to senior management job opportunities or specialist positions (IT, accountancy, technical, finance etc.)
- Employment Agencies (high street-based) deal mainly with blue-collar, secretarial or specialist jobs (eg nursing, driving etc.)
Speculative applications direct to employers
- Round robin letters of the 'I am interested in working for your company' stand a 1 in 1200 chance of success. Well-researched, targeted and focused applications can be very successful
- Target a specific individual (the head of the department or division you would be likely to work in rather than the personnel department); get the name and details correct
- Research the company to find out what their needs might be; clip articles from the business pages, study the company's Annual Report
- Write seeking advice or a meeting rather than directly asking for a job at this initial stage
- Highlight how you will be of benefit to the organisation; focus on your particular skills which will help them to address specific challenges and opportunities
Networking
- Often termed 'accessing the unadvertised jobs market', networking is essentially developing leads through contacts. Research shows that 60%-70% of jobs are never advertised - and of those jobs gained through networking, around 50% are actually created for the individual
- Develop a contact list
- Plan a combined direct mailing / telemarketing campaign
Recruitment Fairs
- Traditionally used for graduate recruitment, employers are increasingly using these as a means of reaching individuals at all levels
- Check out 'trade' listings publications (available in reference libraries), see Impact's web site for a calendar of events, or watch the national press for details of forthcoming events
Look out for more features on effective personal marketing in this series. For more information on preparing CVs, covering letters and application forms, or developing a personal marketing strategy, visit Impact Associates .