Nine top tips for getting a new job
IF you are looking for a new job, why not ask an expert for advice? In this special feature, Nigel Coleman from Jobcentre Plus in Rotherham, has shared his top tips for finding work in 2017.
GETTING a new job is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions people make, and there are plenty of ways to make yourself stand out from the crowd when applying for work.
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Hide Ad1 Firstly, make sure you’re looking in the right place for jobs. This includes online, in newspapers, recruitment agencies and at Jobcentre Plus centres across the country.
2 LinkedIn has a big recruitment section – have you got an account? It is free, and a great way to demonstrate who you are and what experience you have.
3 You don’t have to be receiving state benefits to use Universal Jobmatch, the government-run jobs website. You just need to create an account. There are up to one million live adverts at any one time, and an average of 4.5 million job searches every day.
4 When writing your CV, think about what you’ve learnt from previous jobs or what you’ve learnt in school or college.
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Hide Ad5 If you’re worried about your age, don’t include it on your CV. There is no requirement to do so.
6 Even if you’re short of experience in the workplace, there are key skills that employers look for that anyone can demonstrate, including being able to communicate well with other people, evidence of team work and IT skills which you could have built up through hobbies or at home.
7 Some companies will ask for a covering letter. You should use this as a way to sell yourself and explain why you’re right for the job. Also, it’s worth getting someone to check it for spelling and grammar mistakes — it’s not enough to rely on a computer spellcheck. Check out the National Careers Service website for advice on templates and what to include.
8 Make sure you research the organisation, to see what work they are currently doing and to find out their latest news. Showing you have an understanding of the industry will also set you apart from other interviewees.
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Hide Ad9 Dressing smartly, being on time and asking at least one question about the role you’ve applied for are also good ways to impress the interviewers.
If you’re unemployed and need help getting ready for the world of work, get down to your nearest Jobcentre Plus where specially-trained work coaches will help you on your way.
For more information, visit www.jobsearch.direct.gov.uk.