| Advice for the new job seeker |
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Starting to look for a job can feel like quite a challenge, especially if you haven't done it before or for some time. I'd encourage you to first answer these 4 questions: Who am I? - What are your strengths, achievements (academic or otherwise)? What do people value in you? If you don't know, ask them. - What is it about the subject(s) you chose to study in some depth that interests you? What aspects did you enjoy - and not enjoy? - Do you prefer autonomy or to work closely with others? - Do you prefer to work under the pressure of a tight deadline or have a long time to plan ahead? Use your answers to build your list of things that would be important in your work. What matters to me? This is critical to finding a job that fulfils and interests you. - Look for clues in things you have done in your life so far - at school, uni, in sport, activities, holidays, any work experience - paid or voluntary, or positions of responsibility you've held. What did you like - and not like - about them? - Who would you love to work for and why? Or maybe you'd prefer to work for yourself... If so, what would you do? What am I good at or capable of getting good at? I recommend doing a strengths assessment like Strengths Profile. For the small cost involved you get a very useful report, which you can use to draw out and demonstrate your strengths in your CV and interview. Who do I know? If you don't know where to start looking for a job, or want to do something different from what you've done up till now, ask people you know about their jobs, what they like and don't like about them. If the job sounds interesting, ask if it's possible to spend a couple of hours shadowing someone in their organisation. Most people are willing to help and flattered to be asked, especially when they are enthusiastic about what they do and the organisation they work for. Use the information you have gathered from these questions to start looking for jobs. Find jobs that include the elements you've identified that appeal to you. Use these to identify potential jobs. Then keep taking action
Helpful sources of advice and information for job seekers
Some great inspiration for job seekers
Books How to get a job you'll love. A practical guide to unlocking your talents and finding your ideal career. So good they can't ignore you: why skills trump passion in the quest for work you love. The Career Playbook: essential advice for today's aspiring young professional How to find fulfilling work What color is your parachute? A practical manual for job hunters and career changers. Dude: where's my career. The guide for baffled graduates. Good luck!
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