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Job hunting - our top tips

'Take care to get the job you like; otherwise you will have to like the job you get' Anon

If you know that you're about to lose the job you've got, it's pretty important to start gearing up for your next one if that's what you really want. However, whether you need to get a new job or you just want to do something different, take some time out to really think about what you want before you start. It's not a luxury, it's a necessity.

So, don't start job hunting without a plan and check out the tips on some of our other pages on getting promoted, choosing a new direction, training & personal development, assess yourself, CV help or perhaps be your own boss.

Our job hunting top tips

• First things first - determine your job goals, write them down and then focus your efforts towards them. Find more ideas here .
  
• Redundant? - find out if your employer will offer to help you with outplacement services to help you find a new job.
  
• Use the web to help organise your job hunting. If you're not that confident about your searching skills go to intute for a free on-line searching tutorial and download our free ebook 'Surf your way to your next job' at the bottom of the page.
  
• Track your efforts - keep a spreadsheet or record of site passwords and user id names - it's easy to get confused! You can download our sample version at the bottom of this page in the 'useful resources' section and stay on track.
• No internet access? - if you don't have access to the internet at home (preferably with broadband) check out access at your local Jobcentre Plus office or Library.
  
• Local newspapers are still the most common medium for recruitment advertising in your local area. To save money you could read the job pages in the comfort of your local library. More and more jobs are now posted on the web though so you must incorporate this channel into your research
• Apply to companies directly - it might not pay off immediately but you never know what might be around the corner. Many companies now allow you to apply for jobs with them online or register speculative applications with them. If you can't apply to a company directly online, call the switchboard, find out who the chief contact person is, talk to them about potential vacancies and what you have to offer, or write to them
• Build a new CV and make sure that you keep it up to date so that you can send it out as soon as you spot an opportunity - you'll find more useful tips on CV writing here.
• Replies - don't expect a reply to every job application you send, it just isn't an industry standard or practical if the recruiters receive floods of applications.


• Use your networks of friends and family to find permanent or temporary work if you find yourself between jobs.
• Referees - think about who can or will act as a referee for you and sound them out.
• Interviews - turn up on time, calm, prepared and well groomed - you'll find more practical interview advice here.
  
• First impressions count - smile, firm confident handshake & good manners! Click on the highlighted link to find out more about improving your personal impact .
  
• Personality profiling - many firms use profiling to find out more about you - get ahead of the game and complete your own free test here . 
• Save questions about salary and benefits when they are making you an offer not before - find more tips here .
  
• Be proactive - just putting your CV on a few sites is not a proper job hunt, make some calls too.
• Register your CV with recruiters now - there are literally hundreds of recruitment websites, you can search for jobs, register your CV and set up job alerts here. 
• Effort - put in plenty of effort, job hunting is a real numbers game - the more suitable posts you apply for, the more likely it is you'll get interviews and offers.
  
• Leave no stone unturned - research our comprehensive job hunting sites directory here .
• Keep at it - it can be discouraging if you get a few rejections, so if you get a bit downhearted, don't pretend it isn't happening, get it off your chest, write it down in a diary or confide in a trusted friend.
  
• Offers - don't accept any old offer that comes along unless you are really desperate, you may well live to regret it.
• Once you've got a new job, don't forget to come back to look at our tips on exiting your old job and starting your new one here .

Dealing effectively with Recruitment Consultants and Executive Search Firms

There are lots of different types of recruitment consultants and headhunters out there - excellent, good, bad and indifferent ones. You'll probably meet all three at some point! If you're new to dealing with these critically important people, you'll find lots of invaluable advice in the excellent books highlighted below - 'Rebuilding your life after redundancy' and 'How to handle your recruitment consultant'. You never get a second chance to make first impression so if you want to get ahead, get informed first!

If you want to rate the recruiters you have been dealing with, or to see how others have rated their performance, pay a visit to Hirescores.com.

Happy hunting!

Useful resources

newlifenetwork.co.uk job search tracking sheet 2009.xls - 31kb Download this file

FREE e-book: successful job-hunting online 'Surf your way to your next job' D ownload your free e-book about successful job-hunting online by newlifenetwork.co.uk careers expert Janet Davies.  It's packed with practical insider advice on how to make the...

Get the 2009 edition of "Rebuilding your life after redundancy" by Janet Davies - only £10.99 ORDER your copy at amazon.co.uk here ! ...

Hirescores.com Hirescores.com - a website where candidates and employers are invited to score recruitment companies on a number of criteria to create performance league tables. T he site then...

How to Handle Your Recruitment Consultant Sound advice from Herbie Henderson, author of ‘How to Handle Your Recruitment Consultant’ Being made redundant stinks.  Whether you anticipated it, semi-suspected it or if it...

The Association of Professional Recruitment Consultants The APRC provides a membership code, support and help for recruitment firms in the non-Exec market - 8000 members.

The Recruitment and Employment Federation The Recruitment and Employment Federation is the industry body formally committed to regulating and improving standards in the recruitment industry. It's worth reading their Code of Conduct document...