In part 1, we showed you how planning/updating your job search (e.g. timetable, job tracker database etc), networking, developing your job search tools, looking for/reading tips & advice and interview preparation/practice can help meet time required to spend on a job search. In part 2 we intend to show you more helpful things that you can do that meet the required time you spend on your job search. Again we must state that this is not a shortcut. All our suggestions help your job search but do take time & effort. Furthermore, YOU MUST make sure you have achieved your agreed actions too. Our tips DON’T replace these!
As we stated in part 1, we all need help with our job search in various ways. Finding helpful resources is another thing that can help you & meets the guidelines of your job search activities. You need to spend time looking for the websites of helpful organisations/support agencies that could help your job search and check back on them to see if they have posted anything new which could aid your efforts. Having a good bank of helpful resources to help is good job search practice! This can be achieved anywhere as long you have a mobile device and either free Wi-Fi signal or good data allowance. Record if you have been looking & what resources you have found!
Research is another job search activity that also meets within job search guidelines. Researching companies for an upcoming application or interview is essential and is part of the job search process. You may be researching other job search methods, to help you stand out such as a Video CV or even an infographic CV. If they are practical and can help your job search then they fall into a job search activity. Record what research you have done & why!
What would you say if I said developing a website or blog can be part of your job search activities? I suppose the majority of you would say that I was either joking or not a chance. The answer is YES it can. However, the website or blog MUST have the purpose of helping you showcase your skills, experiences & accomplishments to help you land a job. You can even develop a website that showcase all your skills, experiences & accomplishments with evidence and attach links to your CV and social media/networking tools for others to see. If you do a blog about hobbies then it will not be counted sorry!! That must be done on your own time. If you pursue this possibility, I have a few warnings for you. Firstly, the site/blog cannot take up your whole time and must not impact your job search efforts. Secondly, using this approach can take a lot of time to have any impact so don’t expect results over night! Lastly, if you are not technically gifted with computers/design etc, I would not suggest this method for you as you could come off looking bad to potential employers! You must record any work you did to this and why in your job search activity records.
Job clubs, job & career fairs are events that fall in line with your job search requirements. At any of these events, we are looking for help, support and opportunities. Job clubs we go to for help and support while job/career fairs we go looking for opportunities. If you do attend any of these then they are part of your job search activities. Remember, some job/career fairs you could spend the whole morning or afternoon at. Make sure you record attendance and anything that happened e.g. giving out CVs, interviews or any networking that occurred.
On a final note, with all the helpful tips in the two articles, you can see there are things you can do in the job search that will easily allow you to meet the length of time you are required to spend. They are all acceptable job search practices, some of which can be done away from the computer or outside. A job search today is not simply sit in front of a computer and look for jobs and apply. There are more aspects to it, that help you reach your end goal. We hope you find the two articles helpful!