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The job search

Before you begin the job search process, you need to clarify exactly what it is you are looking for and make a clear plan of action. There are some fundamental techniques you can use to set you on the right path.

Successful job seekers focus on the needs of the organisation to which they are applying. Think about what the employer is looking for and what you have to offer.

Your talent, and how an employer can use it, is known as employment value. Do not expect employers to discover this value independently 鈥� know your skills and learn how to sell the benefits of them to potential employers.

Resources 鈥� where to look

Review job leads: through newspapers, specialist journals such as BSj, industry websites and recruitment agencies. Research and contact employers: send out speculative CVs to specific companies you are interested in and target the particular individual who heads the department you would like to work for. Don鈥檛 forget to explain in your cover letter or over the phone why you have selected them.

Traditional techniques for job-hunting

Although newspaper advertisements represent only a small proportion of the job market, they are one of the options you should be using to strengthen your search.

However, if you use the classifieds as a primary source of job leads you will encounter a lot of competition. The most effective method is a combination of strategies, focusing on both the hidden and the advertised job market.

Through the internet, you can access current information and reach deeper into your local area. As the internet grows as a mainstay of business today, communicating online is the norm. The large job boards have links to a specific industry but the smaller, more exclusive resources such as BSJ4jobs will allow you to find jobs in the services sector.

Your recruitment consultant is a primary source of support. An agency is focused on achieving the right results for you, and has greater access to job openings. You can discuss job criteria with your consultant and they can offer advice on how to best progress your job search. Recruiters have access to clients and the hidden job market, as well as a broad geographic reach.

The non-traditional job search

To conduct an active search, tap into 鈥渢he hidden job market鈥�. A recent survey discovered that three out of every five job-postings are not listed in newspapers or on electronic job boards.

Network by attending local meetings, become active in professional organisations and community groups, speak with associates and acquaintances and ask people who and what they know. Register with appropriate mailing lists, newsgroups, and chat forums. A network of career contacts can provide support, information and job leads.

The increasing popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, as well as more business-related sites such as Linkedin, means it has never been easier to maintain regular contact with your social network. Keep records to maintain effective links with the leads you have engaged, and be ready for the next move.

And finally, get organised and get committed. The biggest mistake most people make is finding excuses for not being proactive in their job search. Develop a daily plan and stick to it.

When you are offered a position and you would like to accept, send a note/email to all the people who helped you, relaying the good news. This will ensure the continued growth of your career. By occasionally contacting these people you will remain open to opportunities.