Blue Skies Blog

According to Brand Republic, a survey conducted by NORAS has shown there are considerably more UK job seekers year on year, with 123% increase in candidates actively looking for a new role between 2006 and 2007. With the market becoming client driven and the candidate pool increasing, candidates need to ensure now more than ever, that they are using the right tools and methods to find the right job.

Know what you want
All too often candidates don’t really know what they want. To help clarify this create yourself a career objective:

- What do you want to do?
- Think about the role you are in, plus previous roles, what did you enjoy?
- What are your strengths?

Once you have identified these, you will be able to see what skills can be successfully transferred to other areas. Then you should have a clearer understanding of the direction you should be taking saving valuable time and getting yourself one step ahead of the competition.

What skills do I need to get there?

If you don’t have the necessary skills for a role, think about how best you can work towards getting them. Where you can try to get a good breadth of experience across disciplines, find out what areas you like and then develop strengths in that discipline; don’t be afraid to learn from your mistakes and peers, be a sponge, absorb all information. Remember it is the art of observing and learning that will stand you in good stead for your next step up.

Get yourself known
Any chances to network, take them, and that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go to an actual event. Sites such as Linkedin, Marketing network and even blog sites such as Blogit will help you to talk to your fellow peers. Make yourself known to industry leaders as you need to sell yourself, show you can use your initiative and enhance your own creditability. Use the tools you know the best; word of mouth and personal recommendation are two of the most effective and credible forms of advertising.

Do your research
Just because you’re in a job now doesn’t mean you should stop reading and enhancing your industry knowledge. You need to be aware of what’s going on around you, strengthening your knowledge through a greater depth of interest which will ultimately add to your kudos when talking current industry affairs. Reference and support what you are talking about – it will show you have an inherent interest and appreciation of the industry.

Tailor yourself, you are a brand
Your CV is the single most important tool to getting you noticed and securing that all important interview. Ensure you strengthen and tailor your CV for each application, there will be key things you have done in your current or previous roles that will be more applicable to the each individual role you are applying for. Highlight these key credentials accordingly and use them to sell yourself in.

So you have got yourself an interview, now it’s time for preparation
It can sometimes seem like the simplest thing, but it can’t be emphasised enough how important being prepared is. It could be the difference between getting the job or not.

- Can you get to the location?
- Do you like the look of the company?
- What exactly do the company do and who do they do it for? Check out the company website, search for industry related articles, scour the press for cuttings, ask people around what they know about the company.
- Check the job description – ensure you have picked out key areas of the job description where you have strengths and can support this.
- Prepare questions and write them down – you can be sure you will have forgotten them when you are asked if not.
- Practice with a friend or partner to build your confidence, even the most experienced candidates lose their train of thought.

Hopefully you are now set and you have the best tips to help you get the right job, good luck!