CV Dragon

Breathing fire into your career

Effective Job Hunting

Applying an effective strategy to career development reaps far greater benefits than a haphazard approach. Most projects go through thorough planning and research before being realised so why then do some of us chose not to apply the same methodology to our working lives. Some 70% of all job vacancies are never advertised so you will need to be proactive in order to be successful. But avoid mass emailing. (An article in The Recruiter revealed that, due to the volume of on-line speculative CVs, one in three graduate job applications is dismissed as ‘spam’. Half of all applications were dismissed out of hand has they had been mass-mailed, whilst a third failed as they had no covering letter or were addressed to the wrong company.) Key steps to success include:

Identifying what you want
Make a list of essential criteria that you require from your next position, including everything from type of organisation and location to people management or financial responsibilities. Bear in mind that you need to have the sort of experience that they would utilise. If you are a qualified Management Accountant who has an overwhelming desire to become a Zoologist then your skills in translating the P & L account may be better at the back of the CV for the time being!

Identifying potential targets
Identify a broad list of companies that might be able to offer an opening which meets your criteria. Start with competitors, suppliers or associated companies – this instantly creates an affinity, no matter how tenuous – and work outwards.

Be focused
Narrow the list down to a manageable number through stringent research (web, trade journals, financial papers, local media, etc.). If an organisation falls down against more than three of your essential criteria, put it on to a reserve list. Remember, this is what an interviewer invariably does when sifting through job applications.

Network

Use network contacts or known associates from other organisations to gather information and raise your own profile, though use discretion if you are still in employment. Whilst it is hardly illegal to look for a change of position most employers will not take kindly to hear of your planned departure through the grapevine. Remember the old adage, it’s not what but who you know.

Once these processes have been completed the pro-active approach begins, starting with the speculative CV and strong covering letter. Further information can be found by clicking on the links below.

Speculative CVs
Covering Letters
Application Forms