Week 1 planning

Clarity and systems: Being clear on what you are looking for, having systems in place to make the job search run smooth, and being mentally prepared too!

Do you know yourself? Define your strengths, and what makes you uniquely you.

Listen to track 1: Introduction

Listen to track 2: Personal summary form (task 1)
Complete the Personal Summary leaflet

Clarify your ideal working environment - Gain clarity on what is important for you in respect of location, colleagues, level of stress and pressure etc.

Listen to track 3 and 4: Ideal work environment 1 (task 2)
Complete the Work Environment work book

What do you want to do? Be clear on your ideal job. The clearer you are on what you are looking for, the easier it is to know you have found this. Use the web sites to search for your ideal job. Or, take a side step and follow the career discovery programme.

Listen to track 5: Who are you (task 3)
Read leaflet: Who are you and what do you want to do

Get a system - Use a proven system to manage the paperwork and deciding how you will create the time to be successful in your job search.

Listen to track 6: Get a system (task 4)
Complete the Get a System work book

Collect your evidence/ list your achievements - Gather all your certificates and other job related information - the first step in updating your CV

Listen to track 7 Achievement folder (task 5)
Read and complete the leaflet: Keep an achievement folder

Choose your referees. Be guided through how to choose, and how to get the best out of them.

Listen to track 8: References (task 6)
Read and complete the leaflet: References

Get mentally prepared - The whole process of job search can make people feel depressed. Have some useful hints to help you look after yourself.

Listen to track 9: Mentally prepared (task 7)
Read the two leaflets: my support network and 8 ways to stay positive during job search

 

Week 2: Self marketing preparation

Create a CV - Use a eBook that takes you, step by step, through everything you need to do, so you develop the skills for the future.

Listen to track 10: Create a CV (task 1)
Complete the Create a CV work book and Send your CV to Denise for a review

Networking - Step by step approach to identify members of your network, expanding your network, keeping contacts informed etc and how to prepare before a networking call. How to follow up with leads and why you should keep in touch with your network after you get a job.
Create a personal commercial. How to sell yourself to others in less than 2 minutes – learn how to describe who you are and what you want so people are keen to help you.

Listen to track 11: Networking for career success (task 2)
Read the Networking for career success work book

Develop a web log or create a web site - Begin to position yourself as an expert. It's the 21st century way of getting known and to bring employers to you.

Listen to track 12: Develop web log (task 3)

Review and shortlist the most relevant websites for you - There are hundreds of websites so do a quick review and choose the most relevant ones for you. We have loads listed, with quick descriptions – far too many to count!

Listen to track 13: Review web sites (task4)

Week 3: Target job opportunities

Find out about jobs through desk research and meeting people

Undertake research - Appreciate why finding out more about a company will enhance your interview performance. Read business press and professional journals so you understand their problems and speak their language.

Listen to track 14: Research (task 1)

Making phone calls - Learn 12 ways to get the best out of a phone call, and 4 nuggets for how to receive calls.

Listen to track 15: Making phone calls (task 2)
Read leaflet: Making phone calls

Informational interviews - Learn about informational interviews, and be ready to use the technique to help with job search. “This is an extremely comprehensive and informative guide”

Listen to track 16: Informational interviews (task 3)
Read and complete the Informational interviews workbook

Traditional Job search: How to apply for an advertised job - Learn a structured approach for reviewing job ads, how to complete an application form, including competency based application forms, and produce effective covering letters. You will get ready to post your CV on job sites, contact recruitment consultants and respond to job adverts.

Listen to track 17: Traditional job search (task 4)
Read and complete the Traditional job search workbook

Week 4: Self marketing phase

Be supported through the application cycle!

You are your brand! Define yourself. Become an expert in your chosen field – continue to build and maintain your web log.

Listen to track 18: You are the brand (task 1)

Accessing the hidden job market - More people find a job through the unadvertised route than through applying to advertisements. Learn how to identify companies that have a need for your services, and what to do.

Listen to track 19: Accessing the hidden job market (task 2)
Read and complete the Accessing the hidden job search workbook

Interview preparation - Everything you need to know on interviews, how to prepare, how to present yourself, responding to questions, and the questions to ask, the post interview review. Understand why companies use telephone interviewing, and get prepared for the call. It may not just be an interview you face, but an assessment centre and/or psychometric testing. Remember, Denise is an experienced assessor, used in the public and private sector so is able to give you the low down on how to perform at your optimum.

Listen to track 20: Interview preparation (task 3)
Read and complete the Interviews: a helping hand workbook
Read and complete the Telephone interview workbook

Dealing with setbacks - You may not get the first job you go for, and you will experience rejection. Job Search can also take a lot longer than you may have anticipated. Denise can help you to remain motivated and to not take rejection personally.

Listen to track 21: Set backs (task 4)
Read the leaflet – The top 15 ways to learn from job rejection

Success

The focus is on the job offer. Just because you get offered a job, it doesn't mean you will say yes. You will want to see how well it measures up to your key criteria, think about how you are going to resign and get the best deal and learn the art of salary negotiation!!!

Before you resign - Things to consider before you resign and sound advice on how to resign.

Read the leaflet - before you resign

Objective job evaluation You’ve been offered a job. Excellent! But do make sure it is the right job for you. Assess how the job measures up against what is important to you.

Read the leaflet - Objective job evaluation leaflet

Negotiating the job offer - Learn how to get the best possible package when you are offered the job.

Read the leaflet - Negotiating the job offer

Once you get the job, it's obviously time to celebrate, but you will also want to plan for the new job, how to make a good impression, how to build relationships with co-workers quickly and then get planning to manage your career and develop yourself, professionally. Also think about any development areas and plan to address them.

Looking to the future in my new job - Think about what life will be like in the new job. The things you find difficult, and how you can overcome these difficulties.
Read the leaflet - Looking to the future in my new job

The First 90 days in your new job - Plan the impact you want to make. Learn how to be seen as a high performer, keep your profile high for internal promotions, and keep your options open for other opportunities.

Read the leaflets - The First 90 days and My Daily Review