In recent weeks, we have prescribed for you ways for you kick start your job search successfully.
We have covered this subject under various headings:
- The Place of Persistence In Job Acquisition
- Your CV Can Make or Mar Your Employment Chances
- 5 Mistakes to Avoid at Job Interviews
- Tips for Finding Employment Amidst Mass Unemployment.
The reason for this is that searching for a job in an era of few jobs is no easy task. It requires patience, resilience and strategy.
Writing job applications and sending them to different companies hoping that you will be invited for an interview is one way to go about seeking for a job. However, this oftentimes does not get the desired result of being invited for an interview. This is where you need to have the patience and resilience not to become discouraged and give up. Like we emphasized last week, you need to be tenacious and persistent.
Here are some of the strategies and attitude to adopt in this wise:
Do not give up
Given the high level of unemployment getting constantly turned down for a job is not unusual because employers have a great number of people to choose to fit the few vacant positions. On this note, getting turned down should not make you throw in the towel and give up. Yes, it can be demoralizing and de-motivating but do not lose faith in your ability, skills and qualifications.
You have nothing to lose by persisting, you have all to lose if you give up.
Search and Keep Searching
Be on the lookout for job opportunities. Ask friends, relations and associates if they are aware of any job vacancies. Go on the Internet and look for available jobs in the area you are looking for. Get on social media sites like LinkedIn and put up your profile and qualifications. Many people have been offered jobs based on their profiles on such sites.
Print is not as popular as it used to be, however, do not neglect to search through the newspapers for jobs. Some employers still advertise their vacancies in newspapers.
Have the right attitude
When you are unemployed and seeking for a job, you must make finding a job your full-time job and this comes with having the right attitude. Finding a job in this era of high unemployment means that you must stay focused on how you can find a job and take all the required steps to get one. You can’t afford the luxury of going about it in a haphazard manner if you are to stand a chance of getting one.
If you are opportune to be offered a position which is not your ideal one, it is best that you accept and use it as a stepping stone to advance or a starting point to occupy yourself while still seeking for your ideal job. You should be willing and open to start small and grow as you go along into what you really desire.
Be prepared
When you are job-hunting, it is important to keep up to date with the latest developments in your area of qualifications. For this, the Internet comes in handy. Therefore, do not be lazy or lackadaisical, continue to read and update yourself because we are in an age where knowledge in all fields is growing exponentially.
Network
You can improve your chances of finding a job through networking especially at corporate and social events such as conferences, seminars and workshops among others.
Joining professional organisations or institutions and social clubs to help with your job search is also good.
The Right Documentation
You should have a properly written CV with your academic and professional qualifications clearly stated. You should also customise your CV where possible to match with the job you are applying for. Don’t just send off a generic CV you have written with every job application; avoid the mistake of using a one-CV-fits-all method. Also, make sure you have the right references that will respond timeously to any enquiry about you from your prospective employer.
Have your certificates and qualifications (originals and photocopies well organised and handy). This is important when attending an interview as your employer may be looking out for how well you are presenting yourself both in the way you have dressed for the interview and the way you hand over documents when requested from you. If you appear well groomed and organised and are not flustered during an interview, you stand a good chance of getting a job offer.
Be informed
When seeking for a job that suits your qualification, try and make a list of the possible companies or institutions that may need your skills. Having done this, do your research on them to understand what the company or institutions are about. Also follow their social media platforms and social events, so that you know more about them and what they do. You will also know when they advertise vacancies and be in a better position to apply to them.