"To be a great champion, you must believe you are the best. If you’re not, pretend you are." — Muhammad Ali You are a special person. You know it. Your mum knows it. Your dad knows it. Your siblings know it (but probably will not admit it). Your friends and relatives know it. But unless you convince prospective employers of your special talents and abilities, you will fade into that great dark abyss of opportunities lost. Here are some top tips for getting your job search activities organised and keeping your confidence high. • Use a range of sources to look for a job — Internet; Recruitment Agency; Careers Advisors; Networking; Friends and Acquaintances; Job Centre Plus; Newspapers; etc Use all avenues / methods - do not rely on just 1 method. • Not all jobs are advertised, so it is a very good idea to use contacts, ask around and try to network. If people can't help you themselves, they may be able to put you in touch with those who can. • Tailor your CV and cover letter to the job/employer you are applying to. Take your time over your job applications and do not rush. Research the company and the role. Tailor your content to the position you are going for. Keep a note of what exactly you have sent to each employer and when you sent it. • Always follow up your applications. Make yourself stand out from the crowd. By calling potential employers, you will look eager and you will also gain peace of mind knowing where you stand. Job interviews in many organisations are getting sophisticated these days. Psychometric tests, role plays, and challenges to one's "quick intelligence" are often involved. While it's impossible to anticipate everything you may encounter, here are some more tips that will help you negotiate the interview process successfully. • Prepare and over-prepare. Do your research on both the job and the employer. Look at their policies and history on their website if possible. Find out as much as you can about them. Plan your strategy. Study the job description and think about what they are likely to ask you. Rehearse your answers to all the possible questions you may be asked or the challenges that may be thrown at you--and then practice, practice, practice. • Be particularly clear on what you know and what you want to achieve. If your interview is based on an application form or C.V take a copy with you and get your facts right. Be clear about why you want the job, and why you want to work for the Employer. • Be clear about your strengths. You're almost certain to be hit with questions pertaining to your strengths and weaknesses. Know your strengths and emphasise those that relate specifically to the position for which you're being considered. Be prepared to give examples from previous job roles. • Have clear personal standards. Be prepared to demonstrate your high personal standards by giving examples of how you have applied them in previous jobs and in your life in general. Organisations are looking for people with high standards in their personal and professional lives, who can articulate them clearly and concisely, and who live by them. • Interview the interviewer. The applicant who will take anything offered is unlikely to win any but the most temporary of positions. A competent interviewer will respect your efforts to assess the organisation and the position in terms of whether or not it meets YOUR requirements. And you owe it to yourself to have defined before hand, what you ideally want and what you are willing to settle for, under certain conditions. Prepare at least 3 important and well phrased questions to ask when you are given the chance. • Dress for success It’s important that you look the part and feel good about yourself before and during an interview. It’s human nature to judge people very quickly based on their appearance and no matter how well trained they are most interviewers will be influenced by how you look. So dress for success and put your best foot forward! • If you do not have the skills and abilities for certain employers it does not mean you are not going to be perfect for another. So do not get disheartened. • Finding a job is harder in today's world and competition is very stiff. Evidence suggests that over time your job search will have a positive outcome - so be persistent, as it will pay off. If you are not successful, learn from it and move on. If you need help to get organised and manage all your Job Search information and activities Job Prospector will help you. To find out more please visit our website. We wish you the very best of luck!

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