Well, it’s January 2013, the newspapers and media are talking about green shoots but the unemployment rate is still over 14% and finding that job is not easy.
I meet many people both as clients and through Worklink who are fed up at how difficult it is to secure an interview.
My advice to them and to you is this; relying on traditional job search techniques alone won’t always work.
You must be more creative and use every tactic and technique available to you in order to stand out and get the job. There are so many CVs and potential candidates that you must use all possible ways to get the employers’ attention.
If you don’t standout your CV will be one of many filled away in the pile of other hopefuls.
It has always been the case that many employers do not publicly advertise vacancies. Many of our clients have identified opportunities through contacts they have made themselves, such as friends, relatives, voluntary work, casual part-time jobs or work placements. It is also important to develop an industry specific network. Go to events and talk to people working in your chosen career area. They will be able to advise you on the trends and openings in that industry.
Use your imagination and get creative. And most importantly do not give up!
I hope these 5 tactics will help you in your search for the perfect role.
1. Make sure your online and offline personas match.
When you are looking to get a job or even change career you need to understand that you have an online self as well as your actual self.
You may choose to ignore your online self but recruiters or potential employers won’t. In fact over 60% of employers will Google your name to find out more about you. If I Google you, right now, what would I see? Are you on the first or even second page?
If your education, work experience and career goals are in Technology or Human Resources, your social media profiles should reflect that, not just your love of food or Craft Beer.
Set up your email address, Twitter name etc. as “YourfirstnameLastname” (instead of AsleepInTheJacks). Yes, I did have a client and that was the email address proudly typed on the CV.
Who does Google think you are? – Managing Your Online Reputation
2. Review your LinkedIn Profile; Are there Keywords or Key Phrases?
Most recruiters and managers search for job candidates by entering relevant keywords into LinkedIn’s search engine. In order to show up in these searches, your profile has to contain the right keywords for the position you want.
To find these magic words, research the profiles of people who have the job you want as well as the job listings for the positions you desire.
What words show up the most frequently in both places?
These are probably some of the keywords recruiters are using.
Don’t just create a profile and expect recruiters to find you.
Be active on LinkedIn. Establish your credibility. Participate in forums and communities that focus on your specialties. When you make contributions it helps build a reputation as a thought leader.
By joining and participating in a group, you have a powerful way of adding value to and growing your online reputation. As a group manager, I know the discussion leaders and the valued contributors to the group.
When you participate, people notice.
LinkedIn Group Guidelines for the Job Seeker
- Join a group that takes you where you want to go, not one that keeps you where you are.
- Join a group that you will participate in. Don’t be a lurker.
- Participation in a group means posting and responding to discussion. Make sure you are putting your best foot forward, be positive, show your motivation.
- If you are unemployed, don’t be embarrassed, but don’t bring it up at every conversation either.
3. Do not Rely on your Recruiter to get you the Job
Recruiters and recruitment agencies can be a valuable part of a job search strategy. They may connect you to vacancies that may not be advertised. The best ones understand what employers want, and can eliminate a lot of the guesswork in preparing for the interview and meeting the needs of the employer.
Remember, recruiters can’t hire you. At best, a well-connected recruiter can influence the decision, but this assumes a close relationship with the person that is actually hiring.
If the employer is not interested in you, then neither is the recruiter. The recruiter’s loyalty is not to you; it is to the companies that pay his commission. Employers are interested in filling the position and so is the recruiter. Don’t expect a recruiter to be personally interested in your career goals; he only wants to talk to you if you match the qualifications of the job openings he has to offer. His job is not to coach you on your interview techniques.
Your role is to make it obvious that you would be a great asset to his clients. A professional CV and cover letter should display your accomplishments and marketable skills.
4. Find the Niche Areas in Your Field
Increase your niche know-how. Many employers do not want to attract unqualified candidates. They recruit quietly and often only post jobs on dedicated job boards for their industries. You must know how to find the niche job boards for your field.
The easiest way to do this is to perform a Google search on the name of your industry and the word “jobs.”
Industry jobs can also be found on the websites of the professional or trade associations. For instance, Engineers has a job board, as does the Theatre Forum Ireland
Industry is not the only niche, of course. If you have graduated from a college or university check their Career Services page on their website. UCC have a very comprehensive page and UCD have a global portal.
Once you find the job boards in your desired niches, bookmark those sites for easy daily reference and, when available, also sign up for daily email alerts that you will receive when new jobs are posted that fit your search criteria.
Be Brave
Mac An Iomaire, an unemployed marketing graduate from Connemara, had spent nine months unsuccessfully looking for work and spent his last savings on a billboard advertising his services.
He landed a Job with Paddy Power.
5. Create measurable goals.
Searching for a job is like any other project and you must stay disciplined, so set firm goals for yourself. For example, “I will make 10 phone calls and have two meetings per week.” Make sure you are focusing on high-impact efforts like networking versus just going for coffee.
Most importantly, Keep a record of your calls, emails and jobs applications. If an employer calls you, you won’t be caught out.
If you have any other tips, please feel free to share below.
