If you are conducting a job search or getting ready for one, then to help you we have put together a list of things you will need to conduct the basics of a job search. Some may seem obvious but at times it’s the obvious things that are forgotten in the job search process!
CV/Resume
Now a lot of you will be saying, ‘Of course you need one’ but there is more than one type of CV you can use in your job search to help you stand out. We have our basic CV that we create to send to employers but there are a few more types you can use. You’ll have an online CV that you post onto job websites to help you attract employer’s attention. You can have an infographic CV that you can show off to employers either via your social media, own website or even LinkedIn profile. Last but not least, you can have a video CV. This is a short video of you selling all your skills and abilities to potential employers. You can share it on YouTube, your social media or even LinkedIn profile.
Suitable Work Area
A good work area is a key thing to have in your job search. You need a suitable area that can meet all the demands of YOUR job search and where you can achieve your tasks free of distractions and distributions. Working from the living room or kitchen table isn’t ideal especially if you live with others or have kids. An ideal work area will have a suitable desk and chair, in a spare room or room where you can work free of distractions. Try not to base yourself in a room where you relax as the job search can be tough and that room will then not be seen as relaxing. Make sure your area can handle all the demands of the job search e.g. completing job applications, networking, interviews (phone & video), telephone enquiries, developing job search tools & looking for tips and advice.
Suitable Email Account
Having an email account with a professional name is a must. Having an email address that is called hotlegs12@...... Or toocool4u@ etc are not giving employers the best impression of you. You will want an email address that says who you are e.g. [email protected]! Create a new account if you need to, so you give a professional impression.
PC/Tablet Device/Laptop
You’ll need access to some type of device to allow you to not only access the internet but also develop tools and keep detailed information of your job search. If you don’t have any type of device at home, then look to see which free facilities you can use to help you.
Planner & Tracker
To make sure your job search is productive & efficient, having a timetable and a tracker is a must. The timetable helps us spread out our work load and helps us to stay focused to achieve our goals. The tracker helps us keep track of all our efforts from what applications been sent out, what networking has been done, what actions you been done etc. It helps us to not repeat the same actions e.g. applying for same job twice to helping to see where progress is being made e.g. how many interviews had, new networking contacts etc!
Database of Resources
If you think you can do a job search without the support of helpful resources, then you are either very gifted and talented or very naïve! Job search can be difficult at times and we all need a little help. Besides having network contacts, friends & family to help you, you’ll also need helpful websites & organisations that can help you. These resources can have templates, tips, advice, guidelines, people to talk to etc all to help your efforts. Having a bank of helpful resources that you can use to help is a must especially on days when you find yourself stuck or not knowing what to do next!
Support Network
Job search can be very tough at times and for some individuals, it can be stressful & frustrating. To help you combat this, it is important that you have a supportive network to help you. You’ll have 2 types of support network. The first type is your emotional support network. This is consisting of family, friends, loved ones and other job searchers. This group help you to stay motivated, focused, encouraged and give you people to talk to when you feel down/stressed/frustrated. The second group is the professional support network. This consists of leading professionals, career advisors, job search experts, HR experts, industry professional etc. This group is to help you develop and enhance your job search efforts and once developed maybe even find the hidden jobs or be recommended for jobs.
Phone
You’ll need access to phone whether mobile or landline. This is for telephone enquiries or interviews. A mobile phone has more benefits for your job search. You can access your emails as soon as you get them plus you can network on the go via your social media or LinkedIn profile to help develop your job search. If you have a good smartphone, you may be able to use it for applying for jobs or emailing your CV to employers.
Social Media
A lot of us have some type of social media whether Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. Our social media can help us in our job search in two ways. It can helps us connect to individuals who can help support you in a job search or help you get a job whether it be by connecting with an individual or by selling yourself well through your social media. It’s important that you stay professional and your content is free of anything inappropriate that could make you look bad (e.g. photos or comments).
LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is a website that can help you connect and sell yourself to employers & recruiters. You have to get your profile right which does take time but it can help boost your online networking as well help you show case a bit more of yourself to help you stand out to employers/recruiters. If you’re new to this, it will take time for you to start feeling the true benefits of this approach.
CV/Resume
Now a lot of you will be saying, ‘Of course you need one’ but there is more than one type of CV you can use in your job search to help you stand out. We have our basic CV that we create to send to employers but there are a few more types you can use. You’ll have an online CV that you post onto job websites to help you attract employer’s attention. You can have an infographic CV that you can show off to employers either via your social media, own website or even LinkedIn profile. Last but not least, you can have a video CV. This is a short video of you selling all your skills and abilities to potential employers. You can share it on YouTube, your social media or even LinkedIn profile.
Suitable Work Area
A good work area is a key thing to have in your job search. You need a suitable area that can meet all the demands of YOUR job search and where you can achieve your tasks free of distractions and distributions. Working from the living room or kitchen table isn’t ideal especially if you live with others or have kids. An ideal work area will have a suitable desk and chair, in a spare room or room where you can work free of distractions. Try not to base yourself in a room where you relax as the job search can be tough and that room will then not be seen as relaxing. Make sure your area can handle all the demands of the job search e.g. completing job applications, networking, interviews (phone & video), telephone enquiries, developing job search tools & looking for tips and advice.
Suitable Email Account
Having an email account with a professional name is a must. Having an email address that is called hotlegs12@...... Or toocool4u@ etc are not giving employers the best impression of you. You will want an email address that says who you are e.g. [email protected]! Create a new account if you need to, so you give a professional impression.
PC/Tablet Device/Laptop
You’ll need access to some type of device to allow you to not only access the internet but also develop tools and keep detailed information of your job search. If you don’t have any type of device at home, then look to see which free facilities you can use to help you.
Planner & Tracker
To make sure your job search is productive & efficient, having a timetable and a tracker is a must. The timetable helps us spread out our work load and helps us to stay focused to achieve our goals. The tracker helps us keep track of all our efforts from what applications been sent out, what networking has been done, what actions you been done etc. It helps us to not repeat the same actions e.g. applying for same job twice to helping to see where progress is being made e.g. how many interviews had, new networking contacts etc!
Database of Resources
If you think you can do a job search without the support of helpful resources, then you are either very gifted and talented or very naïve! Job search can be difficult at times and we all need a little help. Besides having network contacts, friends & family to help you, you’ll also need helpful websites & organisations that can help you. These resources can have templates, tips, advice, guidelines, people to talk to etc all to help your efforts. Having a bank of helpful resources that you can use to help is a must especially on days when you find yourself stuck or not knowing what to do next!
Support Network
Job search can be very tough at times and for some individuals, it can be stressful & frustrating. To help you combat this, it is important that you have a supportive network to help you. You’ll have 2 types of support network. The first type is your emotional support network. This is consisting of family, friends, loved ones and other job searchers. This group help you to stay motivated, focused, encouraged and give you people to talk to when you feel down/stressed/frustrated. The second group is the professional support network. This consists of leading professionals, career advisors, job search experts, HR experts, industry professional etc. This group is to help you develop and enhance your job search efforts and once developed maybe even find the hidden jobs or be recommended for jobs.
Phone
You’ll need access to phone whether mobile or landline. This is for telephone enquiries or interviews. A mobile phone has more benefits for your job search. You can access your emails as soon as you get them plus you can network on the go via your social media or LinkedIn profile to help develop your job search. If you have a good smartphone, you may be able to use it for applying for jobs or emailing your CV to employers.
Social Media
A lot of us have some type of social media whether Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. Our social media can help us in our job search in two ways. It can helps us connect to individuals who can help support you in a job search or help you get a job whether it be by connecting with an individual or by selling yourself well through your social media. It’s important that you stay professional and your content is free of anything inappropriate that could make you look bad (e.g. photos or comments).
LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is a website that can help you connect and sell yourself to employers & recruiters. You have to get your profile right which does take time but it can help boost your online networking as well help you show case a bit more of yourself to help you stand out to employers/recruiters. If you’re new to this, it will take time for you to start feeling the true benefits of this approach.