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Archive for the ‘Job Hunting in a Recession’ Category
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
 My publishing company say:
At a time when jobs are scarce and competition is fierce, standing out at interview is more important than ever. Award-winning psychologist Denise Taylor’s new book is for anyone that has received a ‘you’ve been shortlisted’ letter and wants to feel more confident and prepared for their forthcoming interview.
“Too often when I’m recruiting people, at all levels, they fail to do themselves justice: they don’t give specific answers to questions and stick to the general and vague. It can be even worse at assessment centres, where some candidates really understand how to portray themselves and tackle the exercises, and others miss out on their ideal job for want of knowing what to do. In my new book, I’ve used my 20+ years of experience to give you the knowledge to be successful.”
Denise Taylor, February 2010
’Denise Taylor’s new book `Shortlisted’ provides any jobseeker the know-how and outlook necessary to win over potential employers upon reaching the crucial interview stage. As a recent graduate myself, it is common knowledge that once you have been able to secure this all-important interview, the most challenging aspect is being able to dazzle the panel. As we all know this is not as easy as it looks! Denise’s expert advice and multitude of experience enables you to do just this and covers all potential areas that an interviewee might encounter at this stage. A hugely worthwhile investment!’
You can read more on Amazon using this link http://bit.ly/cmXRHc. The book is available from all good book stores.
Posted in JOB SEARCH, Job Hunting in a Recession
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Thursday, October 29th, 2009
Networking, not all my clients enjoy doing it, but sometimes they need to look for ways to build connections with others. I’ve a client going off to a conference next week, this is the advice I’ve sent him:
1. Plan to enjoy it – write it down and have it somewhere you will look at it each day. ‘I am going to enjoy meeting new people at the conference next week’
2. Read the networking chapter in my book
3. Plan how many people you will speak to – 1 or 2 on arrival, one in the morning break, 2 at lunch time etc
4. Be subtle – you are looking to get to know people a bit, find out more about them and then you can get in touch later
5. When you go into the conference rooms don’t automatically sit on your own, but sit next to someone and talk.
6. Think of some questions you can ask – what do you think of the event, what made you come, how is the recession hitting your company …
7. Don’t panic, and smile occasionally. If all gets too much, go for a quick walk or be on your won then go back ‘on stage’
I have covered this in much more detail in a chapter of my book – How to get a job in a recession, and also in my eBook – Traditional Job search
Posted in Career Motivators, JOB SEARCH, Job Hunting in a Recession
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
I’ve been discussing how to complete application forms with a couple of my clients. In each case they were not getting shortlisted but when I reviewed their application form they had not properly targeted their application to the job spec.
With a general application it is much harder for the short lister to decide whether you have met the criteria, or not. What needs to be done is to review the criteria and include a short paragraph demonstrating just how well you match up to the criteria, and to think broadly if you don’t have specific experience from your previous job(s).
I have covered this in much more detail in a chapter of my book – How to get a job in a recession, and also in my eBook – Traditional Job search.
Could I be of help? Please get in touch -http://www.amazingpeople.co.uk
Posted in JOB SEARCH, Job Hunting in a Recession
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Monday, September 21st, 2009
Day 5: The different ways to find a job
If you saw me on The Tonight Programme on ITV1 (17th November) you may have heard me say about being proactive to get a job. The problem with concentrating on jobs that are advertised is that that is what everyone else is doing, companies get swamped with applications and it is really hard to stand out from the other applicants.
You must of course still look at the advertised jobs, but don’t use this at the expense of alternative methods.
Traditional job search – the advertised route
Advantages
• The ad clearly states the requirements
• You usually get the name of the company so you can do some research before applying
Disadvantages
• Only 15-20% of jobs are filled via the open job market so limit this aspect of your job search to 30-50 minutes a day, probably time better spent networking
• High level of competition as so many people get to read the ads
How to increase your chance of success
• Identify the most relevant papers to read and also look at their online sites. Professional journals will often have jobs available on site in advance of the print publication
• Respond promptly and log the date you do so you can follow up
• Be selective, spend time on the closest matches rather than to send unfocused letters off to many
• Carefully read the ad and ensure your letter and CV matches as closely as possible
• If you get a reject/regret letter ask for feedback
Posted in JOB SEARCH, Job Hunting in a Recession
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Monday, September 7th, 2009
I was talking to an enquirer this morning who feels that as she is now redundant no one will realise what an excellent worker she was. All she has is a non-descript reference with just confirmation of dates of working.
So what do I recommend – start thinking of your need for references in advance. Collect testimonials from clients, colleagues, suppliers. Print out emails, and put them into a folder. Each time you complete a substantial piece of work, ask people to write you a letter of thanks, with some specific examples you can then take this along to interview, or include quotes with applications.
What I wouldn’t advise is to make these up, but amazingly there are companies out there who will sell you a reference.
ABC News has an online article about a company who will sell you a reference. Career Excuse will fill in the gaps on your CV by acting as your previous employer.
I would not condone this at all, and if you were found out it would mean your job offer was withdrawn, but it has provoked a lot of discussion on the web site and you can read the comments here.
What do you think?
Posted in CAREER MANAGEMENT, Job Hunting in a Recession
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Friday, September 4th, 2009
Day 4: Dealing with negative thoughts
Don’t let negative thoughts stop you
Some people have negative thoughts, they know what they want to do but think they can’t do it – they say things like
• I’m too young or too old
• I can’t afford it
• I’m scared
• I don’t know where to start.
If you think you can’t, then you are likely to find that true, but if you think you can you are open to many possibilities.
Yes, there’s a recession and companies are letting people go, but other companies are expanding, and jobs are still available.
If you find negative thoughts going through your mind, look at turning them around. For example, I’m not too young/old, but I’m the perfect age to get started. Instead of worrying about not knowing where to start, to say I’m ready to get started, and let your subconscious work on this, and use external help if needed.
Visualise yourself being a success
Once people make a decision they don’t always follow through.
Too often people focus on the reasons why they can’t achieve something. They say things like
• I don’t have enough time
• People will think I’m mad
• People will be jealous if I succeed
• What if I fail?
• I’m not smart enough
Instead of focusing on why not, why not focus on why and visualise yourself succeeding?
Posted in JOB SEARCH, Job Hunting in a Recession
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Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
Day 3: Be clear what you want
It’s not enough to want a new job, you need to think about what you do want to do – that mean you can market yourself properly.
Too often people choose a new job by looking at job sites for something they think they can already do, utilising skills they already have but in a recession these jobs may not be available, and for many, they would be very happy to do something new.
So spend some time having a bit of a dream and then we can get focused on reality.
1: What do you love to do?
Take a blank sheet of paper and head it "I love to…" This doesn’t have to just be work stuff but also can include anything that really interests you.
2: What are your top 3-6 skills?
List these and then highlight the ones you want to continue to use.
3: If all jobs paid the same what would you do? Write it down!
Posted in JOB SEARCH, Job Hunting in a Recession
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Sunday, August 30th, 2009
I was a guest on City Talk Radio last Monday (24th August). Pete Price has a phone in session and this one was called ‘Giz a Job’. I was on for about 45 minutes answering a range of questions.
I’ve now got the interview available for you to download so you can listen to it at your convenience and you can access it here:
http://www.howtogetajobinarecession.com/PetePrice.zip
Posted in JOB SEARCH, Job Hunting in a Recession
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Friday, August 28th, 2009
I was a guest on City Talk Radio yesterday, discussing the impact on families when there is no one doing paid work in a household.
The latest news says that in some areas 1 in 4 households have nobody working. But there are jobs available.
Often people don’t apply for jobs as they are stuck in a benefit trap – it is crazy that people can get more money in benefits than they get in a job. But for other people they lack confidence in their own ability and they also don’t know how to present themselves well.
I also discuss the emotional and personal impact of recruitment
You can listen to the interview here:
Posted in Job Hunting in a Recession, Radio links, Redundancy
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
Finding another job when you are 50+
More doom and gloom for the over 50s in the paper today. The TUC have said ‘… older people are being forced into early retirement when they lose their jobs because of a lack of support in helping them find new work’
They are calling on additional government support, as 2 years later those over 50 are 10 times more likely to still be out of work then to have found a new job. But the article in today’s Daily Telegraph said that unemployment among the over 50s is at 4.3%, much lower than the 17.3% of young people aged 18 to 24 and half the national average of 7.8%.
If you are over 50, or under 20 you need to be smarter in your job search. Sometimes I feel like a broken record, but when I hear people tell me then have applied for 100 jobs and not even got an interview then there is a problem with the approach they are taking. Responding to job ads and adding your details to job sites is only one way of finding a job, and not necessarily the most effective way. Get out there and talk with people.
And review your CV and covering letter, when I talk to new clients most of them have a very poor CV and have no real structure to a covering letter, no wonder they don’t get shortlisted.
So don’t just accept the limited help from Job Centre Plus, look for people who can offer you effective help or buy a book that will help. As a career coach with Amazing People, I appreciate I can only personally help a limited number of people, but you can identify other people to help via The Institute of Careers Guidance and I and others are looking for ways to help those most in need on a very low payment basis, more details will follow soon.
Posted in JOB SEARCH, Job Hunting in a Recession, Over 50s
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