If 2015 is going to be the year you get a new job, hopefully you will find this an interesting and useful read. When you are faced with exams at the same time as having to make important decisions about your future, it can be daunting. Looking for a new job can be time consuming, but for some knowing where and how to begin the search may be the biggest obstacle - Allow yourself the time to think about what you want to do before rushing into anything. Employers will be looking for knowledge, experience, skills and attributes. I thought I would start with
10 questions to ask yourself:
- Do you have the essentials - Confidence, self-belief, enthusiasm, motivation?
- Is your CV up to date?
- What are your priorities/must haves/compromises for a job – hours, location, money?
- Are your expectations realistic?
- Is your online profile something you would want potential employers to see?
- What skills do you have and what do you enjoy doing?
- Anything you particularly dislike, you wouldn’t want from a job?
- Any companies you would like to work for?
- Where will you find jobs to apply to?
- Why are you looking for a new opportunity?
If you have unanswered questions, please email [email protected] to book an appointment with a Careers Adviser. The GSM Careers Team can help with a range of services including CV & application form checking, practice interviews, career consultations, skills seminars and workshops, entrepreneurship support, industry news etc. Also take advantage of other sources of job seeking help – your network, recruitment agencies, careers events, advertised vacancies etc. The more people who know you’re looking for a job, the more likely it is that invaluable tips will come your way.
It’s always good to be prepared so if you are one of the lucky people who know what you want to do and who you want to work for – have a look at their website, their opportunities etc. If you don’t know exactly what you want to do, don’t panic! Research career options and consider work experience/work shadowing – this can be a great way of spending time in an organisation to see if it fits with your career aspirations. Think about what you can do already, what you would like to do next and what else you need to learn – do your career choices match your aspirations?
Last year I wrote a series of articles about how to start your career within various industries; there were common threads that ran through all of my articles - work experience, enthusiasm, commitment and hard work. I stand by these suggestions as essential ingredients for anyone looking to start their career. Remember you have to be determined to get a job and you have to put the effort in when it comes to applying for and preparing for a job.
Before I go, I will leave you with this quote, “Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after an experience with you becomes your trademark” Jay Danzie. Certainly something to think about before you attend an interview and don’t forget “Life is short, work somewhere awesome”.
Sarah Boxall
