We have conducted extensive research on the Internet to bring you this
information. It is combined with our own personal experiences as recruiters
and HR Consultants. We hope it will bring you luck!
Searching for Vacancies
There are two main places employers advertise new positions: in the press
and on the internet.
Newspapers
Vacancies are advertised in both the national and local press and also
in specialist publications and journals. Consult your local newsagent
to find out which papers have the best range of jobs in your area. Another
way to find vacancies is on the web. Most newspapers have a website and
you can view the latest jobs on these.
It is important to subscribe to journals and trade magazines. Journals
can be an extensive source of information about companies within your
industry giving you up to date information about your potential employers,
as well as advertising the latest vacancies. The Food Industry has it's
own journals and employers see these as an excellent way to find professionals.
These are often only available by subscription, but they can be a great
investment when looking for jobs.
Vacancies advertised in the national press often attract many applicants,
so it is important to concentrate on other avenues as well as these.
When replying to an advertisement, make sure that you include everything
in your CV and cover letter which has been mentioned.
We strongly recommend that you do not include salary details, photo and
references unless requested.
Ensure that your cover letter is no longer than one side of A4 paper
and use an A4 envelope.
Web
There are many places to find the latest vacancies. In addition to job
sites, the companies you are applying to are likely to have a website.
Use this to gain a greater understanding of the company as this will help
you when you get to the interview stage.
Search engines such as
www.google.co.uk are a great place to find vacancies - try typing
in a 'job title' with 'location' - you are likely to be surprised with
the results.
In many cases, when you apply on line, the process can be lengthy. Generally
you will be asked to attach your CV and complete an online application
form. We suggest that you take your time when doing this, and if possible
even fill out the form 'offline'.
Advertising on the web is less expensive than advertising in the papers
and companies can include far more detail on a website than in a newspaper.
The additional advantage to the web is that it is instantaneous. Jobs
can be advertised and recruiters / employers can expect to get hundreds
of replies and fill their roles very quickly.
There is also a section of the Internet known as Newsgroups. These Newsgroups
can bring you into contact with employers, employees and many potential
contacts. Many search engines offer access to newsgroups as do email packages.
Newsgroups can also provide extensive information about a certain industry
or company, so take advantage of the free information.
There are thousands of job sites listed at Agency
Central under their job site resources section. On-line Recruitment
sites you may want to try include:
Another great way to make new contacts is by joining on-line business
forums. Quite a good networking site is Ecademy
Recruitment Consultants
There are over 50,000 recruitment companies in the UK. Choosing the right
one can be a daunting process. Recruiters can assist in your job-hunting
venture, but you should not rely on them to find you a job. Caution is
recommended in terms of which recruiters you work with, not everyone in
the industry operates ethically.
Agencies can be found in the Yellow Pages and through searching on the
web. Don't send your CV without contacting them first and try to visit
a few to gain some more information about your industry and the job market.
Agencies should always ask your permission before sending your CV and
you should check that no two agencies put you forward for the same job.
Speculative Applications
This is another way to find jobs, especially if jobs in your industry
are often unadvertised. There is usually a low response rate with speculative
applications, but if an employer is looking for someone with your skills,
the competition should be lower. Another difficulty with speculative CVs
is targeting your CV appropriately however, KPI can help you identify
suitable companies for speculative submissions, send the CV for you and
ensure that it is seen by the right people in the organisation. Moreover,
they will ensure that they get a response which is something can be time
consuming if you choose to do it yourself. Some employers may keep your
CV on file, so try to ensure your contact details will be maintained (at
the very least, a mobile phone number or email address should remain the
same).
Networking
The wider you network, the more often you use it, the better it works.
Always ask friends, relatives and colleagues (if appropriate) if they
know of a suitable position. This will help you discover jobs that are
not advertised and put you one step ahead of the field. It is important
to maintain your network of colleagues, past employers and like-minded
people. You never know when you may need them!
General Advice Let as many people as possible know that you are looking
for a new job, they may know of a vacancy.
Set a target for yourself, for example, send at least three applications
per week.
Set aside time to job hunt. It's a big investment, but should be worth
the time involved.
Start a file and keep records of all applications If you are turned down,
ask for feedback and use it in your next interview Join any local business
clubs, especially your local Chamber of Commerce.
This may provide you with local business contacts and directly assist
you in your job search.
Join professional associations. This may provide you with leads from
your professional colleagues.
Attend training courses run by your local college or university. These
will teach you additional skills and give you the chance to meet new people.
Contract, temporary or part-time work may lead to an offer of permanent
employment.
If you are highly qualified and experienced in your field you might want
to consider organising and running training courses. As well as providing
you with a source of income, this can be a good way of meeting people
from the sort of companies you want to work for.
Don't rely on one method of job hunting. Consider developing a job skills
portfolio. Make sure a potential employer can contact you. Provide your
home phone, mobile and email. Make sure that your voicemail and user name
for email is professional.
Hidden Vacancies
Many vacancies (up to 70%) are not advertised. They are filled by word
of mouth, headhunters or CVs on file. It is important to make sure that
you do not miss out on these opportunities by being unaware that they
exist.
Let KPI know which companies you are interested in working for, they
are likely to be able to suggest some additional companies you may be
unaware of, and they will contact them on your behalf ensuring the right
person sees your details saving you time and effort.
Speculative applications can be useful with these types of vacancies.
Companies can keep your details on file for future reference.
Headhunters find suitable candidates through referrals, recommendations
and networking, therefore, maintaining relationships with your own network
of contacts can be crucial if you want to have the chance of being headhunted.
Job-hunting takes time and the right job for you may not be easy to find.
Keep trying and make sure that you spend enough time searching in the
right places - Good luck!
