Jobs and Careers Autumn 2017 - 31
FOCUS ON JOB HUNTING 1 LOOK FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES The job market should be seen as an opportunity for you. If major corporates and large companies are letting quantities of staff go, then it will be smaller, more flexible, more ambitious and more dynamic businesses that will have the nous to see this as a chance for them to attract the kind of high-class talent - and that means you - that they may not have been able to appeal to in the past. 2 THINK ABOUT WHAT EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR The number-one question in the mind of anybody who is considering employing you will be - or at least, really should be - "How much value can you bring to my company?" Everybody is very cost-conscious - businesses aren't doing as well as they were, especially with the Brexit uncertainty. There is no room for excess fat, for time-servers and time-wasters. So, when you're applying for a job and preparing for an interview, ask yourself, "Am I an asset or a liability?" Asset means you're adding value to a company, while liability means you add no value and are therefore just a cost. It's always going to make you a more attractive candidate if you can show that you will be a "high value for money" employee. Images: Shutterstock 3 GET READY BEFORE YOU GRADUATE While there are more students graduating from universities every year, there are also fewer job opportunities. How do you stand out from the other graduates in your field? This is the point at which personality kicks in as an absolute must. As a recent graduate, you're not only selling your CV. You're selling yourself, who you are - your values, beliefs, drives and motivations. Ask yourself the following: "What are my characteristics?", "What is my USP?" and "What features and benefits can I offer to an employer?" You need to use the answers and show a positive enthusiasm for the job you want. 4 FIND COMPANIES THAT WANT TO GIVE YOU A JOB Channel your efforts by targeting those companies that want to give you a job. Fill their need. Winning an interview is all about sending your CV to a company that fits you and that you fit too. 5 MAKE THE MOST OF ALL AVAILABLE JOB-SEARCH OPTIONS Should you use professional help, from recruitment agencies and headhunters, to find your way through all the options, apply direct to companies or make yourself prominent, visible and marketable in the digital marketplace? Why not do all three and exploit every route available. Your sole aim is to reach the person who is going to offer you the right job. In order to achieve that, use all the options out there. J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 3 1 30 J&C JC17 Get the job jw4.indd 31 20/11/2017 15:28