Starting work or changing jobs is one of life's most stressful experiences - the average job search takes around three months. ''Ultimate Job Search'' gives everyone access to the skills and techniques that take the stress out of job hunting. A 'one-stop shop' for all job hunters, the ultimate job hunting guide contains advice on: preparing a powerful CV; online CVs; sample CVs for specific jobs and situations; dealing with CV problems such as gap years or a lack of experience; sample cover letters and emails; how to search the media and the internet; networking; job fairs; sending out speculative CVs; researching your employer; making a great impression at interviews; answering interview questions; difficult interview questions; interview presentations and exercises; aptitude and personality tests; and finally, offers, rejections and sample follow-up letters. The breadth of detail is exhaustive and with real-life comments from employers and recruitment professionals, ''Ultimate Job Search'' will be invaluable to anyone looking for a new job at any stage of their career.
Author(s): Lynn Williams
Edition: 2nd
Publisher: Kogan Page
Year: 2008
Language: English
Commentary: 64205
Pages: 240
Copyright
......Page 4
Table of contents
......Page 5
Acknowledgements......Page 9
Introduction......Page 11
1 First things first......Page 13
1. Find out what skills, qualities and abilities the job requires......Page 14
2. Match those skills, qualities and abilities with your own......Page 16
4. Present those skills, qualities and abilities clearly and confi dently both in writing and verbally......Page 17
5. Demonstrate in your presentation, appearance and behaviour the personal qualities required......Page 18
2 Making a start......Page 19
Skills, abilities and knowledge......Page 20
Results and achievements......Page 21
Match the skills you’ve got to the skills they want......Page 22
Reading the advertisement......Page 23
Putting it in your CV......Page 24
Communicating with others......Page 28
Organizing and planning......Page 29
Drive and determination......Page 30
Create a good impression......Page 31
Present your relevant skills......Page 32
Keep your CV relevant......Page 42
Problem: my career history isn’t straightforward......Page 46
Problem: I’ve had lots of very different jobs......Page 47
Problem: I’ve only ever had one job......Page 49
Problem: I’ve been unemployed for over a year......Page 51
Problem: my current job isn’t very impressive or relevant, or it’s a bit of a step backwards......Page 52
Problem: I’m over-qualifi ed......Page 53
Problem: I’m over 50......Page 54
Problem: I’m under 25......Page 55
CVs for school, college and university leavers......Page 56
CVs after a career break......Page 60
CVs for career changers......Page 62
Your online CV......Page 65
CVs and scanners......Page 67
The clerical CV......Page 71
The sales and marketing CV......Page 74
CVs for technical jobs......Page 77
The management CV......Page 79
CVs for creative jobs......Page 82
CVs for practical jobs......Page 84
CVs for customer relations jobs......Page 86
8 Application forms......Page 91
Application forms section by section......Page 92
Layout......Page 97
What goes into the letter?......Page 99
General points......Page 109
Information calls......Page 110
Speculative calls......Page 111
When they call you......Page 115
Job search stages......Page 117
Job market research......Page 118
Ways of job hunting......Page 122
Using your skills effectively......Page 125
Answering advertisements for vacancies......Page 128
CV and follow-up call......Page 129
Personal letter......Page 130
Recruitment agencies......Page 131
Networking......Page 132
Job fairs......Page 133
Personal appearances......Page 134
Foot in the door......Page 135
Unconventional approaches......Page 136
Why have an interview?......Page 140
What happens at an interview......Page 141
Preparing for the interview......Page 142
Sounding the part......Page 147
Looking the part......Page 149
Acting the part......Page 150
Overcoming nerves......Page 152
The three rules......Page 154
Questions they ask everybody......Page 155
Dealing with negative questions......Page 160
Questions about salary......Page 162
Dealing with closed questions......Page 163
Dealing with the person-specifi c questions......Page 164
Inappropriate and illegal questions......Page 168
Your questions to the interviewer......Page 169
15 Questions for specific jobs......Page 171
Questions for practical jobs......Page 172
Questions for creative jobs......Page 176
Questions for clerical jobs......Page 181
Questions for sales and marketing jobs......Page 185
Questions for technical jobs......Page 191
Questions for management jobs......Page 197
Questions for customer relations jobs......Page 204
16 Questions for school and college leavers......Page 210
Different types of interview......Page 217
Interview extras......Page 221
Write a letter......Page 229
If the organization doesn’t make you an offer......Page 231
Negotiating the offer......Page 234
Index......Page 236
