Job Search & Job Applications

How would you like to cut to the chase of the Job search process?

Our experience shows that there are a lot of misconceptions about job search; not least that it is a very simple activity. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Job search in today’s world of technology, degrees and fierce competition has become an art form and almost a job in its own right!

Here are our top 10 myths, in no particular order except the first!

Myth 1 – The best way to get a job is by looking on the internet.

Myth 2 – You only need to register with Recruitment Agencies to get work.

Myth 3 – You will always hear back from job applications, especially if they want to know more information.

Myth 4 - The majority of jobs are always advertised

Myth 5 – You don’t have many contacts, so networking won’t work

Myth 6 – There are plenty of jobs so it’s easy to find the job you want

Myth 7 – You cannot move from the Private to the Public or Charity sector without the sector experience

Myth 8 – Speculative applications do not work

Myth 9 – You are too old if you are over 40

Myth 10 – You are worthless without a degree

There are always exceptions to the rule, however research and experience supports these misconceptions time and time again.

• Have you spent hours, days, weeks, searching and applying for jobs on the internet never to hear anything again as if your applications disappeared into the proverbial 'black hole'?
• Are you aware that research suggests that only around 20% of Management opportunities are ever advertised?
• Did you know that anything between 65-80% (depending on which research you believe) of all job opportunities are never advertised?

This adds weight to the argument not to soley rely on advertised vacancies to get your next job!

SMP Solutions top 5 tips for successful job search

1) Develop a plan, taking account of the 4 main job search methods

• Applying to newspaper, trade journal or online advertisements
• Utilising Recruitment Agencies, Executive Search agencies and ‘Head Hunters’
• Direct speculative approach
• Personal networking

2) Awareness of you as a product (see Selling Yourself)

3) Finding out about the hidden job market and how to access it

4) Learning the art of networking, developing contacts and making your existing contacts work for you

5) Discipline and persistence. Don’t give up; persistence pays but only if you are on the right track. No point in keep firing blanks. You may need our help to review and help steer you in the right direction.

What is the secret to successful job search?

• Not the ‘scattergun’ approach that many people adopt
• It is an art and like most things in life involves planning and focus
• One of the most effective routes to success is learning how to crack the ‘hidden job market’

What is the hidden Job Market?

It is all those jobs that you never get to see or hear about, unless you are in the know! (Contact us for details of our self marketing workshops or 1:1 coaching to help you make this breakthrough or register for more information)

Many of us will have got jobs as a result of being known already, through friends, family, ex work colleagues, contacts of contacts and so on.

Here are our top 10 tips for successful application forms

Completing application forms is a real art and although tempting, do not take short cuts!

1. Read the instructions carefully, all the clues are there

2. If there is mention of applying for the recruitment pack then do this, as you will be lost without it

3. Always make a photocopy for a trial run or just in case you mess up.

4. Plan your time and don’t be put off by the workload, as you may need up to a day, depending on the amount of pages.

5. Answer all the questions and address each bullet point

6. If it is not possible to complete electronically, ensure you write legibly (in black ink and/print if this is specified)

7. Where possible use details from your CV

8. Study the person and job specifications and relate your answers to these

9. If there are questions regarding equal opportunities, these will be important, think through your answers carefully providing specific positive examples

10. Last but not least, making the shortlist for interview is almost exclusively determined by how well you complete the key question about ‘providing additional information to support your application’.

This means please ‘sell yourself’ to us providing as much relevant information on how your skills, knowledge and personal attributes will add value to the job role. Use as many specific examples to illustrate this as possible, as this will demonstrate competence

How can we help You?

The best way to improve your job search and job application techniques is through 1:1 coaching.

Contact us now to discuss your needs and we will be happy to tailor a session or sessions to help improve your chances of success!