Julie Howell, founder of new business Giraffe Sense Mentoring, offers her tips on how to approach job seeking in a recession
– Many businesses are restructuring in the recession to make themselves leaner and more profitable. New opportunities could arise, so keep an eye on companies you want to work for.
– Don’t be afraid to pitch a job idea to an employer. If you meet a company recruiter who has no current vacancies, see if you can persuade them that they need a person with your skills on their team, and show them what you could achieve.
– With so many people out of work, recruitment agencies have much less time to get to know you well. Send them your CV with a strong covering letter, but be prepared to write to organisations speculatively and reply to job ads as well.
– Professional networking site LinkedIn is free at the basic level and is fast becoming a crucial tool for employers who prefer to headhunt.
– Free industry seminars are a great opportunity to network with potential employers. Why not ask a question during the Q&A? This will draw attention to yourself in a positive way, and you may be sought out later. See what’s on at your local college, on websites like trainingindustry.com or on other websites connected to sectors you’re interested in.
– Volunteering can be a great idea if you want to pick up new skills, but you should set yourself objectives, so it helps build your CV in a meaningful way. Check out do-it.org.uk for local opportunities, or helpx.net which offers short term work in return for food and lodgings.
– Showcase what you know and build your profile as a specialist via a blog. Promoting your posts through Twitter should drive traffic to your blog.
– Read a company’s annual report – it will give you clues on what will impress them.
– If you haven’t attended an interview for a while, approach a company that can give you interview practice. This is good even if you currently have a job you’ve been in for a while.
– Be prepared to make a presentation at an interview, but don’t rely too heavily on technology that might let you down. A confident, personable speaker who displays innovative and well-defined ideas will always impress.
