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SMP Solutions Guide to Job Search
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 – You only need to look on the internet as it is the best way to find a job
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, looking and applying for jobs on the internet only for your applications to disappear into the proverbial ‘black hole’?
Would you believe that around only 20% of Management opportunities are ever advertised?
Conversely, are you aware that anything between 65-80% (depending on which research you believe) of all job opportunities are never advertised?
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 SMP Guide to Self Marketing & 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 (see SMP Solutions Guide to Career / Job Search Networking)
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!
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.
Copyright SMP Solutions (2007) Career & Personal Development Consultancy
'helping you unlock your potential'
www.smp-solutions.co.uk
SMP Solutions Guide to Job Search
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 – You only need to look on the internet as it is the best way to find a job
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, looking and applying for jobs on the internet only for your applications to disappear into the proverbial ‘black hole’?
Would you believe that around only 20% of Management opportunities are ever advertised?
Conversely, are you aware that anything between 65-80% (depending on which research you believe) of all job opportunities are never advertised?
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 SMP Guide to Self Marketing & 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 (see SMP Solutions Guide to Career / Job Search Networking)
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!
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.
'helping you unlock your potential'
www.smp-solutions.co.uk
