Monday 30 December 2013

Tips for Job Hunters

Ashley Park Financial Solutions offer job hunting tips

The unemployment rate in the UK has recently fallen to 7.6%, which is the lowest it’s been for four years. Ashley Park Financial Solutions think that’s great, but we realise there are still lots of people struggling to find suitable employment. We thought we’d bring you a few tips to help you out if you’re currently looking for work.

If you’re on the hunt for a job, remember that word of mouth is a powerful ally. Tell your family and friends that you’re looking for work. But don’t stop there! Mention it to everyone – you never know when your name might crop up in conversation with someone who’s looking for a hard worker like you.

Make the most of the resources you have available. The internet is filled with thousands of websites advertising jobs. Upload your CV to all of them and if there’s an option to allow employers to review your credentials, make sure you check the box. www.trud.co.uk is a great place to search and filter jobs according to your preferences.

Get a professional-sounding email address. Employers are much less likely to reply to an email from a ridiculous sounding address. If you still have the same email handle you made when you were 15, it’s probably wise to make a new, more sensible one now you’re an adult.

Set up a LinkedIn profile. Employers who are interested in you CV are highly likely to search for you online nowadays, so it’s important to have a strong, well-presented online presence. If you haven’t heard of LinkedIn, it’s basically an online CV service through which you can connect with potential employers and recruitment agencies who may be able to find work for you. You can list your education and employment history as well as your hobbies and interests. Your connections can then endorse your personal and professional skills to give anyone viewing your profile a well-rounded view of your attributes.

Similarly you should be aware that potential employers might look for you on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Obviously these sites are more personal than LinkedIn so if there is anything you’d rather a boss or colleague didn’t see, be sure to set your profiles to private.

Have several different CVs. If you’re applying to a range of industries that require different skill sets, it’s always best to tailor your resume to the job description. Save copies of different cover letters too so all you have to do is tweak them to suit the role you’re applying for.

Finally, have a list of referees at the ready. If you’re called for interview, take them with you so your employer won’t have to ask at a later date. Give their names, addresses, contact numbers and email handles. And make sure your chosen people know that you intend to use them as referees!


We’d love to hear from you if you have any other advice for job hunters. You can comment before or follow Ashley Park Financial Solutions on Twitter

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