Get that Job in 7 simple steps. Peter Storr

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СКАЧАТЬ can be invaluable. You also need to periodically review your plans and give them occasional reality checks. There is a saying: ‘The first sign of madness is to keep on doing the same things and expecting different results.’ If something seems not to be working, change it!

       Your ‘Getting that job’ plan

      So, what might your ‘Getting that job’ plan look like? The precise nature and components of your plan depend on the type of job you’re looking for. Graduate and managerial job selection processes often include assessments such as a presentation, role-play exercises or exercises that assess planning and organisational abilities. Other jobs may have manual dexterity tests or verbal/numerical reasoning tests or personality assessments, but essentially they are all just ways of ensuring that you fit the job and that the job fits you.

      Most plans tend to cover the following areas:

       Stage 1: Doing the groundworkResearching, networking, creating a plan, deciding what you want, clarifying your skills and strengths (see Steps 1, 2 and 3 of this book)

       Stage 2: Getting ready to applyCreating a CV template, building a portfolio of evidence of competencies (see Step 4)

       Stage 3: Preparing for interviewing and other assessmentsPresenting yourself, preparing for typical interview questions and understanding what assessments are likely to be used (see Steps 5 and 6)

       Stage 4: Reviewing progress and keeping up to dateReviewing your job search process: what went well, what you could do differently next time, what development is needed

      By following a process like this, you’ll put yourself in the best possible position to get that job.

       Networking in your job search

      It should now be clear that to be successful in job hunting, as in anything, it’s best to seize the initiative, to take control of the job hunting process – and to treat it like a process. Later steps in this book will take this a stage further, when we look at what you want to achieve and why you are the ideal candidate for specific jobs. Identifying the actions required during Step 1 will be easier if you’re aware of how you might find a job to apply for in the first place.

      Of course, you may hear about a job through a relative, friend or someone you know. There’s nothing wrong with this – far from it – and your chances of this happening are greatly increased if you widen your circle of contacts. Most of us do this naturally and spontaneously, but we can (and should) also be more targeted and strategic about it. This is called ‘networking’. Think about your reactions to that word. As soon as we make it sound formal, a ‘thing’ we should be doing, it suddenly becomes scary. It’s worth practising and persevering though; a great many people become aware of a potential opportunity through someone they know.

      Remember that this is not about getting an unfair advantage over others or being neatly slotted into a vacancy. When we have a good network we simply hear about more opportunities than we would otherwise – and there are more people potentially looking out for us.

       Why it works

      So, networking is, to put it simply, building our networks. Everybody is at the centre of their own network, a bit like a spider is in the middle of its web, and the further you can spin your web, the more chances you will have of hearing of opportunities that might have otherwise passed you by.

      The principle is exactly the same as in selling: a ‘warm’ lead is far more likely to result in success than a ‘cold’ call. The fact that there’s an initial contact or relationship, no matter how small, is what seems to make the difference between a sale and no sale – and when you’re job hunting, you are in effect selling yourself. If we are recommended by someone else, that has a very powerful impact indeed. It’s probably the best possible strategy you can have for standing out from the crowd.

      Don’t forget, however, that your network doesn’t end simply with the name on the list. Each name in your network will have their own network, so by implication you are in their network too, if at a stage removed. There are many instances of people hearing about a job through a contact of a contact, so the more people who know who you are, what you’re good at and what you’re looking for, the better your chances.

      The good news is that networking is simple. Once you’ve made a list of everyone you know, it’s simply a matter of contacting them. The trick is to be strategic, and to have a plan. Don’t just send out a generic email to everyone on your list and hope for the best. Think about how you would feel if your friends did that. It’s far better to target your communication – to tailor the message to the recipient. Let’s look at this in more detail.

       Building your network

      The starting point for creating your network is simple, as we said earlier: to list everyone you know. Set yourself a target. If you can get to between 150 and 200 people in your first draft, then you’re well on your way! Don’t worry if it feels like a bit of a ‘stretch’ to include some of the names in your network; you can always prune it later. You may find the following list helpful to get you started:

       Family

       Friends

       Friends of friends

       People you have worked with in the past

       People you work with now

       People your partner knows

       Neighbours

       People you know from your hobbies or sporting activities

       Customers you have had a good experience with

       People you know through voluntary work

       People who have supplied services to you or your workplace

       Old school or university friends

       Making contact

      When you’ve made your list, the next stage is to contact each person to let them know that you’re looking for the next opportunity to further your career. Some people find it helpful to write out a script in advance of a telephone call; in any event, whatever means of communication you choose, be clear about the following:

       How you come to be contacting this person; in other words, how you got their name (unless this is obvious).

       A very brief summary of why and how this person may be able to help you. Note, asking them directly for a job is not a good idea; it’s too blunt and may make them feel they have been put on the spot. It’s far better to ask if they СКАЧАТЬ