10 Ways to Land a New Job

It has been reported that unemployment in the UK rose by 131,000 to 1.92 million between September and November which is the highest amount since 1997. This figure does not included job cuts since November and with the current economic turmoil things are expected to get worst before they get better.

Job cuts have unfortunately hit women nearly double the rate of men as many job losses have taken place in the Retail and Hospitality sector where there tends to be more women then men working.

There are new opportunities coming up within the large supermarkets chains. Tesco’s plan to create 10,000 new jobs this year with new stores that are to be opened. Sainsbury’s 5,000 with 50 new convenience stores and a small number of new supermarkets it is planning to open. Waitrose expansion drive is to create 4,000 new jobs and Iceland is hoping to create 2,500 jobs due to buying 51 stores from former Woolworth’s.

As unemployment raises so the job market will become more and more competitive.

So until you win that mighty jackpot that will mean you never have to work again LuckyDustBingo have ten top tips when job hunting for you…..

1 A well presented CV is essential for landing a new job. It should include details of qualifications, experience and achievements. Your CV should present a picture of you with enough evidence to convince an employer to interview you.

2 Be assertive. When you have sent your CV to someone follow it up with a telephone call to make sure they have received it and try to set up an interview. This shows you really are interested in the position with them. If you don’t hear back from them be persistent.

3 Interview questions are increasing becoming about your previous experiences and whether you would fit within the culture of the company. Do your research so you know about the company/role/working environment/dress code. The top five attributes deemed essential by employers are good communication skills, good written English, common sense, a positive attitude and flexibility so hone those skills and sell them to your interviewer.

4 Be aware of your body language. Always start with a firm handshake and a friendly smile. Stay relaxed and maintain eye contact. Make sure you do not fidget. During the interview always be forthcoming when providing information. It may be a good idea to get a member of your friends or family to do a role play interview with you as preparation.

5 When being interviewed ask the interviewer what exactly they are looking for. Ask whether they have any concerns about you and try to accommodate. If you do not meet all of their requirements then be honest about it and try to provide a solution. Always thank the employer for seeing you.

6 If you do not hear from them after the interview or are unsuccessful then ask for feedback or whether they are any other positions opening.

7 Do temporary work. Working with a temp agency may lead to a full time position. Doing temp work is beneficial to both yourself and the employer as it serves as a’ try before you buy’. You get to assess the company and they get to assess you. It will also provide you with experience and further time to plan your next steps.

8 Talk. Talk to everyone you know about their experiences. From their own job hunting experiences to the recruitment process in their current organisation to what their own job is like. Enhance your network and who knows where it may lead.

9 Don’t give up and be patience. The average job hunt takes between 2-6 months so prepare for some hard work. Don’t beat yourself up if you are not instantly successful. The more effort you put in the more likely you are to land a job that you actually want.

10 Believe in your own capabilities and your ability to do the job. Attitude is everything so you want to try to reach the right level of confidence. You need to be positive and enthusiastic about the position and the company.

There are many places you can get help to kick start your career. Your local centre, library, yellow pages or council should have resources and list of places where you can gain careers advice in your local area.

Jobs may be advertised in your local newspaper, through a recruitment agency, on company websites and online. Don’t sign on with just one recruitment agency sign on with as many as you can and be pushy about getting as much information regarding specific jobs as you can.

Apparently one in three people have lied on their CVs to land jobs. Employers are become wise to this and hiring procedures are becoming more strict. It is definitely not recommended that you ever lie in order to try and increase your chances of gaining a job. Be yourself.

If you are smart, creative and persistent you will land that job!

Visit www.luckydustbingo.co.uk

Business Writer