PART 1
You are a graduate and eager to land the job you love and build a career. These are the five best steps you can take to find a job.
The reality about the job market in the UK has significantly changed over the last decades. Companies are looking for the ‘crème de la crème’ type of candidates to work for them. And it should be your intention to consider yourself as the best candidate for the job.
Robots’ select CV’s, cover letters and applications. If you understand how the ATS – application tracking system works, then read further. Your CV’s, cover letters, and application forms are the gateways to employment, and they must be seen by employers and hiring managers.
I have outlined the first five steps to kick start
Step 1:
Are you the right candidate for the job?
Employers are looking for the right candidate for the job. Suppose you have transferrable skills, articulate in your professional profile with evidence in a few sentences. Your professional profile is the first thing hiring managers will read glance for five to ten seconds. If something about you immediately stands out, they put the best CV’s aside to read later to shortlist candidates for interviews. It is the fastest way to eliminate non-shortlisted applicants.
Step 2: Format your CV and Cover letter correctly.
Find the keywords in the context of the job description and include them in your CV and Cover letter without overdoing it. So, when the machine scans your documents, it will pick up the keywords. It’s like SEO Search Engine Optimisation on websites to improve their performance, blogs, and articles on Google search.
Step 3: Are you applying for jobs best suited for you?
From personal experience, I just wanted a job to earn money. And that was true. I hoped an employer would select me, provide training so I could do the job. In some cases, it works, but not anymore if you are thinking of building a career-relevant to your education.
Therefore, be selective when applying for jobs you can do confidently and with minimum supervision. Employers don’t appreciate candidates who are not innovative and proactive in their careers and find silly excuses for not completing tasks. Furthermore, employers don’t want candidates who quit quickly. Recruitment is costly, and companies don’t like to waste money.
Step 4. Are you regularly applying for jobs?
It’s vital to understand the balance of applying for too many or too few jobs. I know some candidates apply for a few jobs and hope to get invited for interviews. On the other hand, candidates apply to companies with the same standard templated CV. Either of these approaches is not adequate.
Remember, you are an expert in your field. Hence, it is significant to search for jobs relevant to your qualifications and expertise. I suggest you list at least ten to twenty companies looking for candidates for that job role. Also note, that the “Job Title” might differ from company to company. You can apply for jobs that closely match your expertise.
Step 5: Attend networking events can boost your chances
I know networking works if you know how to make networking work for you.
Many business owners, from sole traders to large corporations’ directors and managers, attend networking events. Print a business card with your professional title and contact details. Engage and talk to people by introducing yourself as an ambitious graduate wanting to build a career. Connect with people on LinkedIn and engage with their posts by liking, commenting and sharing if you think it’s worth it. Remember, “Without sowing, you don’t reap.”
Get into the habit of writing and sharing posts relevant to your profession on Linkedin at least once a week your Share your wisdom with others. The more you are visible on LinkedIn, the better it is. Employers will look at your LinkedIn profile. So, make the best impression you can.
Help is at hand 😊
Do you want to master these first five steps? Then I can help you.
“Slow and steady wins the race.”
Slow doesn’t mean – stop and get distracted. Instead, it means you are committed to achieving your end goal, and you will consistently take steps to get there without running out of steam. Think of it as a marathon that you run at your best speed. Not a hundred-meter sprint. Building a career you love is like running a marathon.
Start preparing today! Email: info@davidandrewcoaching.com
I can coach you to achieve your goals. Drop me a message on https://davidandrewcoaching.com/job-seekers-coaching/
PS: Read part 2 next week
