| Networking events | | | | eye-catching paragraph at the top of the first |
| Being out of work can be a lonely time. It is | | | | page which describes your skills, interests and |
| important to spend time with other people in both | | | | aspirations. Make them want to read more...... |
| business and social environments. Networking | | | | Ensure your public profile on networking sites |
| events are a great way to achieve both of these | | | | does you justice |
| and could include Business Link, IIB, Institute of | | | | I have met many people who have used social |
| Directors, Chamber of Commerce and many | | | | media sites for fun and now regret this because |
| other local business groups. You can even use | | | | prospective employers are also looking at the |
| groups such as Toastmasters which help senior | | | | rude jokes and pranks that seem to keep coming |
| people to develop their public speaking skills as | | | | back to the surface. It has been said that 75% of |
| well as providing a forum for both social and | | | | employers will look up a candidates profile before |
| business networking. I know many managing | | | | offering a job. In many cases they are looking to |
| directors and chief executives that have been | | | | see who your network of friends or connections |
| members of Toastmasters! | | | | are, in order to build up an image of who you are. |
| Visit trade shows and exhibitions | | | | You have been warned! |
| These are another great may to continue to | | | | Look good |
| remain in touch with a business and industry | | | | This may sound too obvious to mention but it can |
| environment. What better way to keep up to | | | | never be overemphasised. Try to look the part |
| date with the latest developments and products in | | | | and to fit in with the environment that you are |
| an industry where suppliers will give you "free" | | | | visiting. I would always encourage you to dress |
| education about their latest products? Most | | | | slightly smarter than you would expect to be if |
| industry leaders will either have a presence or will | | | | you are successful in winning the job. And |
| visit the main exhibitions in their field. Once again, | | | | remember your hair, makeup, shoes and hygiene, |
| be aware of who you might meet in the coffee | | | | as well as your clothes. Remember you may get |
| lounge! | | | | caught in traffic or on a hot sweaty train |
| Speak to your old customers and suppliers | | | | beforehand. If you allow plenty of time, you won't |
| Whether you have been employed or self | | | | have to get hot and flustered if this happens. And |
| employed in the past you will always have | | | | when you meet your interviewer, don't forget to |
| business contacts that you have had some | | | | SMILE |
| connection with among suppliers and customers. | | | | Know your strengths |
| Don't be shy to contact these people and ask | | | | Many of us are shy about discussing our |
| them if they have or know of job opportunities in | | | | strengths and as a result we never actually think |
| their own company or outside. A huge proportion | | | | about them. These days employers are looking |
| of vacancies are filled in this way and most of | | | | for clear thinking decisive people who may be able |
| them never reach the open job market or | | | | to help their company through the recession. |
| recruitment agents. | | | | Once you know your strengths, you will be better |
| Prepare well for any interviews and ask relevant | | | | positioned to apply them to this cause and this will |
| questions | | | | come across at interview. |
| If you have not been to an interview for a long | | | | Stay motivated |
| time it can be really difficult to should fluent and | | | | Being out of work can have a dramatic effect on |
| coherent when difficult questions are thrown at | | | | one's self esteem and confidence. Try to make |
| you. Prepare for your interview in exactly the | | | | sure you stay positive by reading inspirational |
| same way as you would advise a youngster to | | | | books and biographies, taking proper breaks |
| prepare for their first ever interview. if you have | | | | (preferably outdoors), and don't ignore your social |
| a friend or colleague that you can practise with, | | | | life just because you may have temporarily hit |
| so much the better. Many interviewers will also | | | | hard times. |
| judge you on the questions you ask them. Do | | | | Become a freelancer |
| your research and use your own questions as an | | | | An increasing number of people are turning to |
| opportunity to demonstrate that you have really | | | | freelance work because it suits their lifestyle and |
| thought about the role and how it would operate | | | | work preferences. There are unlimited |
| in practise. In summary, prepare well - it will prove | | | | opportunities in this area, including writing and |
| to be time well spent. | | | | editing jobs, customer support, technical support, |
| Make sure your resume or CV are up to date | | | | proof reading, article writing, accounting, HR, |
| and well written | | | | training, and many more. It is well worth |
| CV styles have changed a little in recent years | | | | registering with a freelance organisation such as |
| and more emphasis is put on the actual skills you | | | | just to keep you in the loop and expose you to |
| have developed rather than just the list of | | | | the risk of finding something you really enjoy! |
| previous job titles and experience. Write an | | | | |