The Job Search - Layman's Manual

So, picking flowers for the Thursday market has ceased to appeal to you and you quite fancy making a move to something more academically challenging, say rocket science. What to do? Where to begin? How to arrange the butt-ends of your wayward past into a cohesive CV that will win you the most coveted of prizes: the Interview? And how then to conduct yourself in those precious minutes to make it to the finishing line? But it's not over then. There's still the follow-up and the package negotiations to be pondered over before you can install yourself in coveted position and order the stationary. Below, the career experts at Bayt.com have identified some key tips to guide you through the job search process:-

Focus. Focus. Focus.

Your first task as a job-hunter is to identify your area(s) of interest from the universe of career possibilities out there. In this age of opportunity, it is quite common to be torn between multiple career directions. Today's fresh graduate may well start off his search indifferent between careers in cardiology and dolphin training and that's okay! Many of us are unclear about what road to take and what the opportunities are ahead of us, and it is entirely your prerogative to explore different career paths. The risk here however is that your search and CV will be too broad for either role and you end up with nothing!

So what to do? Approach each search INDEPENDENTLY and make sure your CV, cover letter and research activities are tailored for the particular search. Once you have one or two well-defined targets, you can hone in on a few select companies/ institutions that excel in the particular area and from there start a dialogue with the companies and search for actual positions.

Research

Do your homework. Research target companies thoroughly and make sure you understand the relevant industry, the competition, the challenges the company is facing and where it is likely to expand/ change direction in the near future. Refer to industry journals, research newspaper archives, ask for company annual reports and marketing materials and look them up on the Internet. Most companies are more than happy to send you information packages and annual reports so just pick up the phone and ask for information.

Leverage the media. Read trade magazines and business sections in local newspapers many of which are available on-line and can be a rich source of information on the latest industry trends. Also research the requirements of the actual position you are applying for. Do you really understand what responsibilities a Financial Analyst at an investment bank has or what an Account Executive at an Advertising Company does on a day-to-day basis? Sites such as Salaries by Bayt.com, Vault.Com, Wetfeet.Com and AsktheHeadhunter.Com are a great source of information on actual positions and career requirements. Asking questions relating to jobs and job descriptions in the chatrooms and forums of online jobboards is also a great way to get the inside scoop. University chatrooms are another rich source of career tips and potential leads.

Network

Your best source of information is your circle of friends and family. Most jobs are filled by word-of-mouth referral before they are ever advertised or publicized. Talk to everyone you know including old teachers, family doctors, lawyers, reporters, clergy and neighbors. Make it known that you are in the market and don't be shy about asking for leads.

As part of your networking activities, start building professional relationships. Call up companies and ask to speak to people in the relevant departments. Ask pertinent questions that show you have done your homework and portray you in the best possible light. Try to get an 'informational' interview to learn more about the company and introduce yourself face-to-face. Failing that, always try to get a recommendation of someone else you can talk to in the particular industry. Industry insiders are usually well-connected and a false lead in one company may well generate 'But I have a friend at the Bridge Corp. who may be looking to hire'.

Remember, you are searching for 'hidden' positions - those that have not yet been advertised or are still in the human resources pipeline as well as currently advertised positions. Aggressive networking and research should assist you in finding these positions before your competition has even heard of them.

Perfect Your Marketing Kit

Think of your CV and cover letter as your marketing and introduction kit. They will either open doors to the next stage of the process or eliminate you from the search. Use them to reflect all you have learnt about the industry and position through your research and networking activities. Fine-tune them for the relevant target and make sure they portray you in the best possible light. Finally, make sure they are interesting and well-presented. A sound investment at this crucial stage in the job search process will definitely reap rewards, get a professionally done CV and cover letter if you don't have one. Make sure you have different CVs/ cover letters if you are exploring different career options eg. marketing and investment banking.

Bayt.com's CV Builder and Cover Letter Guide take you through the CV building process step-by-step. Refer to other articles such as Bayt's 'The Power CV' as well as CV-building books (some recommended in Bayt's Career Center) to perfect the final product. We highly recommend attaching a Cover Letter to every CV to introduce you in a more personal light and highlight your areas of strength and personal skills. A strong or interesting cover letter may well compensate for a less than relevant CV.

Don't Wing the Interview

Interview skills are acquired. There is a fine art to presenting yourself in an attractive, interesting and professional light. Practice makes perfect is extremely applicable at this junction in the job search process. We highly recommend you take the time to prepare for the Interview in all the ways described below:

1. Research the company inside and out. Be aware of current events in the industry and any noteworthy news on the competition.
2. Research the position you are targeting.
3. Read a book on Interview Skills (see Bayt.com's recommendations) and make sure you have thought of and have answers for all the possible questions.
4. If you have little Interview experience, practice with a friend.

Once you are firmly ensconced in the interview chair, a few pointers to alleviate the stress:

1. The employer may be just as nervous and stressed as you, especially if he is not a HR person. Try to make their life easier by being pleasant, relaxed and proactive. Imagining yourself in their shoes trying to balance a day's work with the demands of numerous interviews should make you feel more confident and in control.
2. Remember, you are interviewing them as well. This may well be the wrong position/ culture/ team for you. Ask lots of questions that reflect you know the company and know what you are looking for.
3. Employers like to work with people they like! Compensate for a less than stellar track record by emphasizing your enthusiasm, willingness to learn, professionalism and personal qualities. Aim to appeal to the employer's human as well as professional side.

Persistence Pays

Employers want enthusiastic employees. Persistence with the follow-up indicates you mean business and are genuinely interested in the company/ position. Follow up at every stage of the process:

1. After you mail your C V and cover letter, call to confirm receipt. You may at this point ask for an interview
2. Call again if you do not hear from the employer and use this opportunity to again ask for an Interview
3. Follow up after the Interview with an immediate Thank You letter.
4. Allow some time to pass and then follow up with phone calls until you secure the job. Ask questions at this stage like 'Is there any other information you would like to know about me' or 'I would like to send you some samples of my work' or 'I read in the news yesterday that your company was xyz etc.' Your goal is to keep the dialogue going until you secure the job!
5. DON'T FORGET THE THANK YOU. Thank the employer sincerely and professionally whenever you can: for their time on the phone, for any written materials they send you, for the Interview and for every follow up from their side. Even if you do not secure the job, you will be remembered in a positive light and may well be called again the next time there is an opportunity. It helps to remember that everyone you meet in the job search process is a potential client or future employer.

Don't Jump the Finishing Line

Okay, so having followed Bayt.com's advice, you now have a job offer and are en route to Ferrari dealer to celebrate with a new set of wheels. Before you do, we recommend you make sure you have soundly crossed the finishing line.

1. Get the offer in writing. Many a verbal offer has gone up in smoke.
2. Negotiate the package. NOW is the time to ask for more. An employer expects you to negotiate so don't let him down. Ask for more pay and then maybe settle for additional perks such as club memberships, house allowance, car allowance insurance, educational assistance etc.
3. Enquire about career progression. This is a good time to ask for a guaranteed bonus or a raise after x months providing you meet a required set of criteria etc. Try to have pay milestones included in the contract.
4. If you are an Expat, you should be entitled to moving costs and airline tickets home once a year in addition to house, car and schooling allowances. Make sure you have them all in writing.

It Ain't Over

Ready to rest on your laurels? Well, you could, but it isn't advisable. Your career is an ongoing learning and growth process. You will constantly be facing challenges, whether they be technical, financial, client-related, competitor driven or simply office politics. Your success depends on your flexibility and your willingness and ability to continue to grow and adapt to the challenges of a dynamic market place. Arm yourself with all the tools you need to learn and grow. Ongoing education through industry seminars and night courses, independent reading, networking activities, and special help in those areas where you are having difficulties (eg. technical, quantitative, interpersonal) will strengthen you and make you an ever-qualified candidate in today's marketplace.