How to hunt down a job if the worst happens
From the best recruitment agencies to finding temporary work and polishing your CV...
RE-ENTErINg the jobs market can be a bewildering experience at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. Money Mail has spoken to market experts to help you get back on the ladder as quickly as possible ...
WHERE TO LOOK
CaST your net wide. generalist job sites, such as Indeed, are fine for an initial exploration, but don’t simply search these each day.
Mark Ferries, of the government’s National Careers Service, says employers often advertise on specialist websites because it is a more targeted way of finding workers.
If you are looking for a job in a particular industry, register with a recruiter or job site that specialises in that area.
In some industries, up to 85 pc of vacancies are not advertised. To find these, you need to network. Social media is increasingly pivotal in the jobs market and online communities can help direct you to a job that is not being advertised. But still keep an eye out in the wider media.
USING AGENCIES
rEgISTErINg with more than one agency can increase your chances of finding a job.
Call and ask if they deal with vacancies in the field you’re interested in. Examples of major recruitment agencies include adecco, reed and Venturi. Jobseekers can filter searches for agencies by industry and location at agencycentral.
co.uk. Do not use any agency that asks for money as they should be getting paid by the employers.
keep in regular contact and let them know what specialist skills you have and your availability. ask for feedback if you’re not getting results.
ADVERTISE ONLINE
LINkEDIN is the main platform used by recruiters, so get a profile if you don’t have one.
Barney Ely, managing director at recruitment firm Hays, says: ‘It is a living, breathing version of your CV’, which employers can access.
He says your page should have a professional photo, but ‘ to really stand out’ make your profile interactive by including work-related videos and posts.
You should also include keywords in your profile that are related to the industry you are hoping to work in to help recruiters find you. Employers are increasingly looking at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, so make sure what they see there about you is not off-putting.
DON’T DO IT ALONE
THErE is no shame in asking for help either from personal contacts or charities, whatever your age.
The National Careers Service can provide one-to-one consultations to anyone within 12 weeks of their redundancy date, before or after.
Its advisers can signpost you to relevant industry training programmes, job boards, recruiters and regulators, as well as answering any other questions.
GET NETWORKING
NETworkINg will help you access jobs, let people know that you’re looking and help you find out more about a particular career or company. This can be done via friends and family, social media or more formally via job fairs and industry events. Help people help you by making it clear what you are looking for and offer something in return. If you’re given another name to contact about a job, do it.
If someone gives you their business card, write down something memorable about them on the back of it. This will help you to pick up the conversation later.
IT’S A PANDEMIC!
TargET Jobs says you should allow extra time for employers to get back to you at the moment. Interviews are likely to be conducted by video.
Practise these with a friend and record them on your laptop.
Check the background and light levels your interviewer will see; uncluttered is best. Mr Ely says all firms have been affected by the virus, so find out how before you get to the interview.
PART-TIME & TEMP
THIS can be a good option if you need a new job straight away due to financial pressures, or just want a stopgap while you wait for companies to start hiring again. Most of the Uk’s major supermarkets, delivery firms and some other retailers are on a hiring spree and applications are being fast tracked, with reports of overnight hires and next- day inductions. But it will reduce the amount of time you have for your job search.
THE DREADED CV
A CV should be no longer than two pages, most recent job first. Bulletpoint key responsibilities and achievements under each role.
Make it clear you lost your latest job due to Covid-19, if applicable. Education can be included if you’re early on in your career. Tailor each one by looking at job descriptions for roles you are applying for and mirror them in your CV. Ask friends and family to read it over. Read theirs and pinch any good ideas.
STAY CALM
REDUNDANCY can be a major blow to self-esteem. Emma Mano, head of workplace wellbeing at mental health charity Mind, says: ‘It is important to recognise that losing your job might not be a reflection on yourself. This is a global pandemic.’