Creative Job Search Skills

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Creative Job Search Skills

• An Essential Guide to the Hidden Job Market
• School of Mathematics 2007

2
Where Are All The Jobs ?
Adverts
Agencies / Head hunters
Contacts
Internal moves promotions
3
The Open Job Market not scary
Adverts

• Careers Service
• Newspapers, journals magazines
• Internet www.careers.manchester.ac.uk

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The Hidden Job Market bit scary

• Agencies and Head hunters work for EMPLOYERS
• www.rec.uk.com

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The Hidden Job Market very scaryLetting Them
Know you Exist
Contacts

• Speculative application
• Targeted speculative application
• Tell people youre looking
• Seek out new contacts
• Targeted application once they know you

6
The Hidden Job Market - Stepping Stones scary
Internal moves promotions

• Getting a foot in the door
• short term / temporary contract
• get in using current skills

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The Hidden Job Market

• So why arent jobs advertised?
• May be advertised internally only
• Rely on speculative applications
• High cost
• Long time to hire
• New position that hasnt yet been created

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Creative Job Hunting

• What is Networking?
• Relationship building
• A way of asking for help
• Information advice
• You do it all the time
• Getting your car fixed
• Getting help with an IT problem
• Making use of informal contacts

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Networking is

• Additional to traditional job search
• Crucial for
• Competitive careers i.e investment banking/media
• If you are limited geographically
• Professional development
• Commercial awareness
• As you progress throughout your career
• But
• Also vital for gathering information about a
  job/employer prior to your interview
• Finding yourself an informal mentor

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Creative Job Hunting

• Students/graduates get jobs through
• National press 25
• Milkround/fairs 11
• Vacancy lists 8
• Networking 41
• Other means 15

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Creative Job Hunting

• The Facts
• Most people want to help
• Most people like to be asked for their advice
  flattering
• However, most people are pushed for time make
  it easy for them
• One good turn deserves another...must be
  reciprocal!

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Creative Job Hunting

• Ultimately networking is about
• Being proactive
• Searching out opportunities via contacts
• Making referred but speculative applications
• With the aim of
• Building up your profile
• Developing your professional credibility,
  knowledge of best practice and commercial
  awareness
• Getting on someone's short shortlist

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Creative Job Hunting

• Barriers to Networking
• I have no contacts
• I dont know where to start/what to say
• I know they would say no
• I want to get a job on my own merits
• Employers hate being approached
• Im too shy
• I dont want to admit Im job hunting
• I dont want to have to play the game
• Too political for me

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Networking Bingo the rules

• Record the name of someone who knows someone who
  can
• Same person cannot be used for more than one
  answer
• Talk to as many people as possible in the room
• When all boxes are complete come to the front and
  shout bingo

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Whats in it for you?

• Inside Information
• Career/job market/vacancies
• Specific Advice
• Your CV/routes in /tips and hints/assess your
  chances
• Contacts
• Better insight/Work experience/shadowing/a job
• Professional development

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Whats in it for them ?

• People like helping others
• They feel like an expert
• They network as well
• Develop the brand/profile of their organisation
• New P.O.V.
• Scouting for future recruits i.e YOU

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Creative Job Hunting

• Step 1 Identifying contacts

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Start with 5 contacts

• Step 1 - Start with the person you know best
• Target Contacts in
• The career area you want
• The type of employer you want
• Avoid personnel dept unless you are interested in
  personnel
• Try to target mid management staff

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Creative Job Hunting

• Step 2 Setting up a meeting
• Attend an event where they will be present - Face
  to face has more impact !
• By Phone for a Close Contact
• By Letter and CV for a Cold Contact
• Be clear about what you want
• Mention the name of your referral
• Do Your Research First dont waste their time
• Identify who you want to speak to
• Why you are approaching them
• Ask for 20 mins
• Negotiate dont take no for an answer

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Creative Job Hunting

• Step 2 - Setting up the meeting ...what to write
• Mention the name of your referral
• Clarify what you want
• Acknowledge their experience/expertise
• Stress that you want to arrange a meeting and not
  an interview
• Include a CV

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Creative Job Hunting

• Step 2 -Setting up the meeting...what to say
• mentioned that you would be a great person to
  speak to about
• Im thinking of a career in
• Id really appreciate your advice/expertise
• I dont expect you to find me a job, I just want
  to pick your brains!
• I would really appreciate 20 minutes of your
  time
• Youre busy? Well how about early/late/Friday...

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Creative Job Hunting

• Step 3 - At the Meeting
• Prepare and research thoroughly
• Differentiate yourself
• Build rapport
• Get information and contacts
• Take control and remember your objectives
• Acknowledge their expertise seek the
  advice/information you want
• Always dress and act professionaly - Sell
  yourself
• Stick to time
• Try to get referrals or another opportunity to
  meet
• Never ask for a job dont put them under
  pressure

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Creative Job Hunting

• Step 4 - After the Meeting
• Always write a short thank you note
• Always follow up any leads they give you
• Stay in touch you never know when you might need
  their help again - or when they might need yours!

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Creative Job Hunting

• Networking leads to jobs....
• Try it. It works.
• Yes, its hard at first
• Its better than 50 rejections
• Its excellent interview practice
• It takes time to succeed.....but once set up can
  be developed and serve you well throughout your
  career