The SMART way to search for work

Whether looking for employment for the first time, wanting a career change, or seeking employment after redundancy, it's important to take an approach that's organised, methodical and realistic, while constantly reviewing and analysing progress and making changes as necessary. 

Welcome to the SMART approach to finding employment!

Click on the link below to fast-track your progress through each stage

 S - Starting Out
 M - Me: ‘What do I have to offer?'
 A - Actively seeking work
 R - Register your interest: the W(R)ight stuff!
 T - Talking head-to-head!

Starting out

• What do you want to do?  Be sure of the type of work you want to do and why.
• Discover as much as you can about the type of work you seek.
• Keep realistic: be aware of your capabilities (and limitations!).
• Show resourcefulness: don't wait until a job comes to you - go out and actively look for it.
• Persevere and don't be discouraged by refusals.  Remember - Rome wasn't built in a day!
• Take the efficient approach: plan your campaign carefully; have multiple copies of qualifications and your curriculum vitae; keep copies of adverts, letters sent and received, and any completed application forms. Identify and contact possible referees and check their willingness to write in your support.

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Me: ‘What do I have to offer?'

Know thyself - analyse and focus on the following questions:

• Skills & experience: what employment (paid or voluntary) have I done? What are my hobbies and/or leisure pursuits?
• What are my personal qualities and strengths: intellectual; practical abilities; social/relationship strengths?
• Do I have any weaknesses: how can I work on them and turn them into strengths?

> This simple on-line skills assessment should help.

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Actively seeking work

• regularly search through job adverts in newspapers; write down any possibilities (with all relevant details)
• visit search engines or on-line job boards for advertised roles (see list left), or register your C.V. on-line with e.g. Bradleys CVs; Careers Gateway; Directgov; CV Library etc
• visit the local job centre on a regular basis and browse any vacancies held there
• research local companies/organisations that may offer the type of vacancy you seek; make a list for a possible speculative approach
• keep up to date with local news and current affairs: any new companies moving to the area? Retail stores opening in the near future? Get in on the ground floor with a speculative approach - don't wait for the jobs to be advertised!
• spread the word: tell family, friends, those already employed in the line of work you're interested in; enlist their help and pick their brains!
• Prepare/revise your curriculum vitae or C.V., being aware that you should adapt it according to the type of work you aim for

What is a Curriculum Vitae? 

It's an ‘account of your life', your main sales document, with headings chosen to suit the information you wish to convey to a prospective employer.  The content should cover:

• personal details (name; address; email address etc.)
• personal statement of career aims
• qualifications/special achievements
• education (secondary onwards)
• work experience (the most recent, working backwards)
• leisure interests

Purpose of a C.V.:

• to upload at an on-line job-search site
• to use for a speculative approach (with an accompanying letter)
• when it's too late to obtain an application form
• to add extra details to a section on an application form
• as a memory aid
• to take to interview

It should be:

• accurate and factual
• clearly set out
• word processed
• immaculately presented;  regularly updated

It should not be:

• too ‘wordy'
• untruthful
• negative
• more than two pages long

> Visit the Job Centre Guide for help with different types of C.Vs.

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Register your interest: the W(R)ight stuff!

Right, you've found the job of your dreams and you're keen to make contact.  Hold your horses for a just a little while longer; don't spoil your chances by rushing into it.

• Before making any contact with a potential employer - by ‘phone or in writing - do your homework carefully.
• Read ‘between the lines' of  any advert to analyse the type of employer it's likely to be; to match your skills and qualities to what is required; and - more practically - to ensure you use the correct application method!  
• Carry out some research on the employer/company if you can: is it newly established?  Long-term? Local?  National? Expanding?

Now, bearing in mind the above advice, and all research completed, go ahead with your approach.  Advice for each method is summarised below.

Using the telephone to request an application form (this can form part of the ‘weeding out' process):

• before you start, have paper and pen handy
• make notes of what you want to say
• know who to ask for (check the advert)
• smile - believe it or not, it affects the way you sound!

When ‘cold-calling' for a speculative approach:

• ask for the personnel department
• be polite but persistent
• overcome the barriers!

Application forms - should be completed neatly and accurately:

1. carefully read through every section, and any instructions, before reaching for a pen
2. check whether block capitals, black pen etc. is required
3. practise on an exemplar form (or a photocopy of the original)
4. put a line or N/A (not applicable) across a section that doesn't apply
5. don't overflow spaces; use an extra piece of paper if necessary
6. draft longer answers; get someone to check them for you
7. choose referees, if requested (usually one work, one personal), who will speak well of you and whose opinion an employer would respect.  Ask their permission first!
8. keep a photocopy of the completed form for your records
9. send a short covering letter with the form

Letter writing, the full application -  this is more demanding than sending an accompanying letter with either an application form or C.V.  Your letter will have to cover all the information expressed in both, clearly and fluently.  Here is an outline of a typical single letter application, paragraph by paragraph:

1. Introduction - mention the job (and any reference number) you are applying for and how you learned about it
2. Personal details (could be more than one paragraph) - education; employment record; relevant leisure interest and any achievements; any other relevant experience and qualifications
3. Reasons for applying
4. Referees
5. Brief 'leave-taking' paragraph, including when you would be able to attend an interview

Keep the letter reasonably short - one side of paper is enough; your C.V, can always be added to give extra information.  Try to address the letter to a named person in the organisation. Make sure the whole letter is clean and tidy; aim to sound enthusiastic as well.

> More help with how to write a full application letter

Letter writing,  the speculative approach - thorough research may turn up a number of companies worth contacting for possible vacancies, even if none has been advertised.  For that important person touch, try to discover a named contact to whom to address your letter. Include the following:

• Introduction - the type of work you're looking for and why you are approaching that company
• ‘name-drop' if possible i.e. " Joe Bloggs recommended that I contact you"
• if adding your C.V., highlight its relevant details
• say why you want to join that organisation (research will pay off here)
• detail what specific, relevant skills you have to offer
• be brief: one side is enough
• use an enthusiastic tone
• use the correct letter layout

Letter writing, the accompanying letter - even when sending a C.V. by email, accompanying it with a covering letter is recommended. 

> View an example of a covering letter for a speculative approach

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Talking head-to-head!

The interview - if lucky enough to get called to an interview, treat it like a sales meeting: the interviewer is the buyer; you are the seller; the product - your skills and experience.  You'll already have done your homework, of course, by:

• confirming by letter the place, time and date of the interview
• finding out about the job (get a job description if possible), the business, how to get there on time
• re-reading the advert., the job description and your application
• matching your skills/qualifications/experience to those required
• preparing an answer to the question: ‘Tell me about yourself'
• identifying questions you may be asked and practising the answers
• studying any new developments in the field
• listing intelligent questions to ask about the job and/or company (avoiding ones about pay/holidays etc. if possible!)

Make a good first  impression - remember the first 60 seconds of an interview are vital!

Do:

• wear the appropriate dress
• arrive on time
• shake hands firmly with your interviewer
• be pleasant and polite
• show interest with a confident, upright posture and regular eye contact
• use a clear, enthusiastic voice
• smile!

Don't:

• smoke or chew
• discuss personal problems
• criticise your previous employers

After the interview - review your own performance; how well did you do? If you are turned down after the interview, contact the company to find out why.  You may receive comments that will help you improve your performance at the next interview.

If you receive an offer of employment, send a letter of acceptance as soon as possible.  Should you need time to finally make up your mind, ask if there is a date by which you must give a firm reply.

> More advice on interview techniques

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Finally, seeking and finding a job is hard work - it's almost a job in itself.  But following the tips given here and browsing through all the on-line advice will help to make you a strong candidate.

Don't be disheartened by a rejection; use it as an excuse to review your job search strategy and keep trying. 

Good luck!