Getting a job isn’t easy, especially when you are faced with hundreds of applicants all going for the same position. The process is tough, from dealing with the application form to the stressful experience of the job interview. Then you receive that dreaded phone call or letter from the employer, and your heart will drop when you learn you have been unsuccessful yet again. You may be tempted to give up and resign yourself to the unemployment line. Or you may decide to go for a job that you aren’t particularly interested in and is beneath your pay grade. Anything to put food on the table.
Do you relate to what we have mentioned? Well, don’t lose heart! We have some advice for you that may give you an advantage the next time you go for a job. While we can’t give you a job – sorry – we can still give you a hand to improve your employability.These tips will not only help you land your dream job but will also make you improve yourself as an individual.
Learn from others
For starters, bookmark our interviews with those who have worked hard to get some pretty awesome jobs. They didn’t get a job handed to them on a silver platter. Rather, they did what they had to do to gain their dream positions. After you have read our interviews, talk to those people you know who have landed themselves a job. What did they do? What qualifications do they possess? Who ironed their interview outfit? Bombard them with questions, sensible and otherwise, and you may find the solution you have been looking for.
Go back to school
Many jobs require specific training and qualifications, so while it may seem like a drag to go back to school, you will need to bite the bullet and prepare yourself to study again! You won’t be alone, as many people return to education as an adult, be it night school, college, or open learning. If you have been out of work for a long time, there will probably be key skills you have missed out on, so look for anything that will remove your employability, even if they are not directly related to a specific job. Most employers require applicants to have some level of I.T. for example, so consider powerpoint training or the use of Microsoft Word. If you missed out on some basic qualifications, such as English or Maths, go back to school and get them. They will help your resume and give you a better chance of getting a job. For specific jobs, research what you need online or speak to a Careers Advisor. You may have loads of experience, but employers still like to see evidence of learning on paper.
Volunteer
When handing your c.v over to an employer, they won’t be impressed if there are huge gaps between jobs. So while you’re unemployed, look for voluntary work. This shows the prospective employer that you haven’t been sat around for months watching daytime television. Instead, you have worked for somebody with no paid incentive and gained valuable experience along the way. So if you want to work with kids, for example, volunteer at your local school or play group. If you are looking for a job in the care industry, volunteer with any organization that works with people in a caring capacity, be it a homeless shelter or a food bank. There are loads of opportunities, and they will give you a step up over the other candidates.
And so…
Get advice, grab some qualifications, and build up your resume. Three essential steps to moving forward. Above all, persevere! It’s tough out there, but it’s not impossible to grab the job you have been looking for. Good luck!
