Tips for job hunters in a difficult job market

 

© s1jobs Originally published: 23/4/2009

For job seekers, the journey has become more complex and involved than it has ever been.

 

However, there are some pitfalls that can easily be avoided and by taking some simple steps candidates can significantly improve their chances of standing out in the crowd.

 

A lot of candidates are tripping themselves up at the moment by not keeping a tight enough grip on their CV. After working hard to get a well-written and neatly crafted document in order, the last thing candidates want to do is damage the impact it then makes.

 

It is important that people know who is sending out their CV and exactly where it is going. If employers see the same CV arriving on their desk from multiple sources it reflects badly on the individual and is often enough to see them knocked out of the application process.

 

If people follow the steps below it may not guarantee them a job, but it will stop them missing out needlessly and improve their chances in a competitive environment.

 

1. Keep control of your CV. Speak to the recruitment agencies you are working with and make sure you know where your CV is going, which positions you are being put forward for and when it is being sent. Avoid your CV landing in front of the same person from different routes.

 

2. Be as flexible as possible in your approach. Are there jobs available which are not exactly what you are looking for but which you could do?

 

3. Broaden the scope of your search. Although you may not have direct experience of a certain sector, you may have skills that are suitable. People who have worked in retail, for example, often have the people skills required in a call centre, but may never have thought of looking for work in this area.

 

4. Tailor your CV to each job. This does not necessarily mean rewriting it, but it is possible to change the emphasis and highlight the skills and talents you have that are particularly related to the role in question.

 

5. Try to establish a connection with the firm that you would like to work for. It is not easy but if you know someone at the firm who is able to give you an introduction or act as a referee, this will help. Personal relationships will always be helpful when applying for positions.

For anyone out job hunting there are difficult times to deal with and the process has certainly become more difficult in the last 12 months. However, by avoiding common pitfalls and persevering, candidates can begin to stand out against their peers. 

Adam Gordon, Rise Recruitment