How to get a job

When you have decided on your chosen career, there are a number of positive steps you can take to help you get a job in that field. Whether you’re searching for a first job, planning a career switch or re-entering the job market, your chances of success will increase if you approach the task systematically, learning to understand the job market. The following tips will help you to do that.

1. Start networking. With many companies referring heavily on employee referrals to fill vacant positions, it makes sense to build on your contacts. Make a list of everyone you know and call them to ask if they know of any openings that would be suitable for you. Let them know you are willing to be flexible – it’s important at this stage to get a foot in the door and gain experience.

2. Develop your references. Start by getting in touch with everyone who has given you a reference. This will refresh their memory of you so that if a potential employer calls they will have an immediate recall of who you are. At the same time, you can ask them if they know of any new leads. Consider volunteering, a useful way of demonstrating your commitment to an organization and making new contacts who can become referees.

3. Cold call. To do this, you need to find the specific person in the organization who will know if there are any suitable vacancies. Usually, this will be someone in the human resources department. Even if there are no vacancies, you will get useful feedback on the qualifications and training they are looking for. Remember to ask if you can submit your resume.

4. List your skills. You need to write two lists – one of the skills you can offer and employer, a second listing the skills you would like to learn. Making a list of your skills clarifies the areas you can happily work in to benefit your employer. Talking about the skills you would like to learn through your job – team leading, for example – increases your desirability as a future employee.

5. Work on your interview technique. Successful interviews involve preparation. Think hard about the information you need to put across in the short time allowed to you. If you are asked to talk about yourself, plan a response that will communicate your background and accomplishments, your interest in the firm that is interviewing you and your future goals.

6. Be ready to show that you can solve problems. Interviewers need to know that you can handle the obstacles that might crop up in the course of your work. They might present you with a hypothetical situation or ask you to describe a problem you’ve overcome in the past. Either way, you should prepare an honest to response to questions asking how you would deal with tricky situations and people.