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Read More5 Top Tips For Landing A Job
Are you looking for work right now? Getting a little overwhelmed? Sometimes it’s good to take a breath and remind yourself of some of the basics of being a smart job-hunter. If you plan your hunt properly, it’s much more likely you’ll land yourself a job. But also, what other options are there for you? Maybe you could start something for yourself. Here are just some of the basics to get you going:
1) Fix your CV
If your CV’s a mess then it’s not going to make a great first impression. Make sure it’s up to date, make sure you shout about that time you saved someone from a burning building, but – perhaps most importantly – make sure it looks good.
Your CV should be well-presented, it should be concise, and it should be easy to read. If someone has to root through hundreds of job applications, a 4-page CV using tiny font and squeezing in every last detail down to what position you came in the sack race in year 3 is probably going to go on the “Not this time” pile.
Don’t think you have enough experience? Get some! You could volunteer somewhere. You could run an event. You could start a project with Live UnLtd! And then get it on your CV.
Think about how you’re presenting you’re CV. We’re not saying you should go all out like these guys, a simple CV is effective, but if a CV is about standing out from the crowd – these guys know what they’re doing. Maybe you could get a little inspiration from them.
2) Be smart in your hunt
There are loads of things to think about here: Don’t get stuck into too much of a routine with your hunt. And don’t get lost on Facebook (side note: definitely make sure your Facebook profile is private). Sometimes you just have to be strict with yourself. Or use social networks in a smart way – hunt relevant hashtags on Twitter, find the real people behind the company you’re interested in on LinkedIn.
Figure out which companies match with the kind of job you’re looking for and contact them directly. Try calling them and speak to a real person rather than sending out an email to a general ‘info’ email address that may never find its way to someone.
And who could you speak to in person? Who do you already know who could help you out? The old saying that “it’s who you know” is the way people are finding work more and more now. There’s no point in being shy about it if you think someone could help you out – and lots of people like being asked this kind of stuff, it makes them feel all important!
3) Take your time when applying
So you’ve got yourself a cover letter to write, or you’ve been sent an application form because someone was impressed by how you introduced yourself in a phone call – now make sure you fill it out properly.
Think about what the questions are asking you. What do they really want to know? How can you make sure your answers match with what the company are looking for in the job description? This is your chance to explain why you’re the person for the job, don’t undersell yourself – tell them why you should get it.
4) Be prepared for the interview
Your application must have impressed someone because you’ve been called in for an interview. Read the email carefully to see if they’re expecting you to bring anything with you, or to find out how you should dress.
Do some research about the company so that you’re prepared, plan out some questions to ask them (even if you think you might know the answer – it shows you’re interested in what they do). Arrive with plenty of time to spare; you don’t want to be showing up flustered, rushed and panicked.
Even if you’re not a very open person, you pretty much have to be when you’re meeting these people. They can’t read your mind, and they need to find out if you’re the right person for the job. Help them out.
5) What are your other options?
You’re pretty sure the interview went well, but maybe you’re not going to find out whether you’ve got the job for a couple of weeks. It’s probably not smart to just put your feet up until then. Keep hunting.
What else can you do, though? We’re talking about employment this week, but what can you do for yourself? Starting your own projects can often lead to bigger things. You learn new skills and could even end up adapting them into a business of your own.
Many of our Award Winners have gone on to establish businesses, such as Sam Harris who started Pedal Power.
Have a listen to this snippet from a show on Radio 1Xtra where Sam was interviewed. The show was about how the next generation are making things happen for themselves.
What could you make happen?
At Live UnLtd we back projects being started by people aged 11-21 who want to change their world. If you’ve got an idea that could solve a problem in your area, get started by clicking below.
Still looking for some more tips? We found this post pretty useful with some great tips for job hunting.
Good luck!
