SHIFTING YOUR CAREER PARADIGMS

CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES TO ACCELERATE CAREER SUCCESS

Coaching Programme ByMohammed Talukdar

Paradigm Shifts

2

If you want to FIND a Do it! Do it Now!

If you cannot FIND the job, CHANGE the way you are looking for it!

If you don´t like something, CHANGE it!If you cannot CHANGE it, CHANGE the way you think about it! Change your Paradigm!

CHANGE Your PARADIGM!

Job

Introduction10 Basic Concepts to

Build Winning Habits for Your

Career Success

Clarity

Clarity – Be Focused on Career Goals

• We all ways want to do what is ‘fun and easy’ – the ‘Expediency Principal’• Focus on ‘Hard and Necessary’ not ‘Short term gain for long term pain’

– Write out your career goals – Every morning rewrite your goals in first person singular future tense as if you have already achieved them. Every time you write your goals you are programming your subconscious mind. Your subconscious mind then goes to action looking for ways to achieve your goals even when you are asleep. You will begin to see things and notice things you would otherwise have missed – opportunities and ways to achieve what you might have thought impossible or difficult.

– Every evening review your goals– Ask yourself what you did right that day towards your goals– Ask yourself what you would do differently if you could have this day

again

– Be Decisive and Disciplined – Vision and Dream – “The best way to predict the future

is to create it.” • Have big visions and dreams• Be ‘Result oriented not activity oriented’• ‘Don’t work very efficiently on what need not be done at all’

Competence

Competence – Become Excellent at what you do

• Excellence is a journey• Excellence opens up opportunities

– Being the best – gives self-esteem and leads to high levels of excellence• Being Excellent is possible by setting it as a crear goal• Excellence is achieved by being passionate and willing to put in the extra

effort and hours above the others• Read, learn and talk to others who are already excellent in your field.

– No one is born better than you• People have only learnt to do things before you• If any one person can do it so can you – you just have to learn

– Be Passionate about what you want• Desire is the fuel of success – Channel your desires to focus on being the

best at what you do!

Concentration

Concentration – Use 80/20 rule

• Prioritise activities and focus on highest career priorities.– Develop ability to prioritise tasks by importance and relevance to

objectives and goals.• Focus on activities with highest payback and results not – easiest or fun

tasks.

– Ask yourself throughout the day: What is the most valuable use of my time right now?• Repeat this question constantly and it will eventually become a command

to your subconscious mind – and whenever you start to do something which takes you away from your goals your mind will automatically sound alarm bells to get back on track!

• Whenever you work on the things which are the most useful use of your time you will feel great! You will automatically get a boost of confidence, motivation and feeling of success and accomplishment!

• This will give you the energy and enthusiasm to continue and complete the task at hand.

– Develop a sense of urgency• Always get tasks done now!• Become the person who always gets things done quickly and efficiently.• Build a reputation for getting things done and not for being slow to

respond• Always complete every task fully to your best ability. Do not leave tasks

half done

Common Sense

Common Sense– Most people have loads of common sense because they have

not bothered to use any of it yet!• Gather as much information as possible in any situation

– Think - Analyse– Understand – Consider all options and possibilities– Apply – Act on best course of action

– Action without thinking is the biggest cause of failure.• Think all things through• Do not be afraid to ask someone for advise

– Use your intuition– Learn from your setbacks

• Look for the lessons and opportunities• Life is problems – Living is solving problems

Creativity

Creativity – Every human being has creative potential– Always ask questions and be flexible

• When you have learned some new information – Do things differently and be willing to change.

• If you keep doing what you have always done - you will keep getting what you have always got!

– Innovate – A new idea can make you rich• Look for new ways to do things• Come up with one new idea• Implement it and do not wait for someone else to do it!

Consideration

Consideration– The quality of your relationships with others will impact your

ability to succeed– The quality of the interactions will determine your ability to

get things done– Develop your communications skills and learn:

• Public speaking• Understanding body language• Developing your vocabulary

– Learn just one new word a day and you will learn over 5000 words in five years as each new word opens the door to 10 or more other words.

– A child learns 5000 words a year at the age of 3-5, an average adult learns about 3 words a year

• Develop writing and presenting skills• Learn to listen

– The Golden rule of consideration is the rule of: Sowing and reaping – What so ever you would have others do unto you - Do unto them!

Consistency

Consistency – Dependable and consistent work is always far superior to

bursts of genius and effort– Successful people are not better than you! They just do

things in a dependable and consistent way which is predictable and reliable• Build a reputation for consistency and dependability

– Law of Accumulation – the Law of the Farm• Every great success is built upon a series of small accomplishments over a

period of time• Great successes are made of many failures and mistakes• The way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time• You can achieve any goal or destination if you take things just one oil

barrel at a time!

– Never compromise your integrity– Be consistent in your personal development

• Commit to a regular amount of learning everyday – even if it is only 20 minutes of reading before you go to sleep

Commitment

Commitment – To your beliefs and values

• Believe in yourself and be true to your values• Commitment requires: Faith, Passion, Desire and Enthusiasm – All of which can only

come from within you.

– To yourself, career and success goals• Commit to your goals and be focused –• Dare to dream big no matter what the “Nay Sayers” think or say!

– To your company, boss, job• Commit to excellence in your work place and to your boss• Commit to the best you can do and remain loyal and above all professional

– To your family and friends

Courage

Courage– There is no security in life only opportunity– Fear is: FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real– Brave people are not people who do not have any fears, but

are willing to face and overcome them.• How you handle your fears is a habit. If you develop the habit of

confronting your fears they will eventually disappear. • Feel the fear and do it anyway!

– Move out from your comfort zone • Do not be like a spider in the bath tub

– Fear can paralyse you if you let it remain a habit • Fear of failure begets failure

– Persist in the face of adversity• Do not back away• Always move forward like in Karate

– Develop momentum and develop the habit of becoming unstoppable

Confidence

Confidence– Confidence comes from practising the above concepts– Achieving your goals builds confidence and programmes your

mind for continued self-confidence and success– Self-doubt and fear can paralyse so focus on success and

learn from failures to increase your confidence.– Go confidently in the direction of your dreams – act as if it

was impossible to fail– Your actions determine your feelings and so always act the

part as if you have already succeeded and it will generate the feelings which will boost confidence to allow you to realise your success!

Four Actions Required for Successful Job Search

• Preparation – Plan to Succeed – Plan your work and Work your plan1

• Perspiration – Put in the effort – No one can do your press ups2

• Persistence – Pursue relentlessly against all obstacles3

• Patience – Practice patience4

Preparation

• Identify the specific career/job you are interested in pursuing.

• Define skills and accomplishments in your CV that will set you apart.

• Address how you can meet the specific functions of the job.

• Tailor every CV to match the specific job description whenever possible

Cover LettersThe Cover Letter is your Sales Flyer! It should accompany every job application you send. It is your opportunity to get your CV noticed and read. It Needs to be Attention Grabbing!• The Cover Letter should be tailored specifically for each

job.• It should be passionate but relevant to the role• Highlight accomplishments, experience and skills that

will set you apart from the competition.– Why You?

• Unique Selling Points • Major Achievements

– How will you benefit the organisation?• Address how you can meet the specific requirements of

the job description – without regurgitating it directly!• A cover letter should not be a mini-autobiography. • It needs to be: Crisp, clear, and easy to read.

CV• Ensure your contact information is correct. • Market your relevant knowledge, skills, and

accomplishments as they relate to the position. • Crisp, clear, and easy to read. • Not More than 2 Pages in length (Up to 10 years experience)

– Add if required extra page for every 10 years of work experience

• Don’t repeat skills that are common to several positions. • Don’t write a generic objective statement, consider writing a

summary of qualifications. • Use CV power verbs when describing achievements:

– http://www.sentient-recruitment.com/resume-power-words.html

CV Heading and Categories

• Name and Contact information• Personal Statement• Experience and Qualification summary

– List Major Achievements– Industry/Job Specific Accreditation/Training

• Employment experience – In Reverse Order– Achievements, Skills and Responsibilities (Quantify where

possible e.g Saved 150k through process improvements)• Professional Qualifications and Academic Education• Security clearance• Professional Associations• Languages

Perspiration

• You have to put in the effort!• You will get what you put in! • It is not about working hard and long but

about working smart – Prioritise and remain focused!

• Small but regular effort every day is better than irregular effort

Interviews

• Do your homework – Company, Industry, Products, Services and also interviewer (LinkedIn)

• Much more than just a conversation about your experience, skills and ability to do the job.

• Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine. • Look the part and feel the part – Dress to impress• Firm handshake and smile• Establish Rapport – Body Language and Eye Contact• Listen carefully• Respond to questions – but say if you do not know!• Ask questions – Be interested and current• Follow up with a thank you letter • Never pass up an opportunity to interview

Persistence

• Don’t settle! • Don’t Give up your Dreams• Keep looking until you find what you want!• Every small goal achieved will motivate

and build self-esteem• Do not miss an interview opportunity

Search Out Opportunities

• Keep growing and building your network of contacts and joining as many industry specific recruitment databases as possible

• Mine for names of recruitment consultants on job ads and add them to your network - LinkedIn– Give them a call or send them a personal introduction e-

mail and ask them for advise on the industry sector and skills that are in demand

– Arrange a face to face meeting over coffee– Ask for referrals and contacts

• Cold call businesses you are interested in– Use gorilla marketing techniques

Patience

• Searching for a job is not easy, it will take time and a lot of patience. • All good things come to those who wait• Sow the seeds of action and eventually

you will reap the harvests of your efforts• Sometimes an action or network contact

made months ago will develop in to the perfect opportunity at the most unexpected time

• A job search requires mental and emotional clarity and energy.

• Don´t give up after the first unsuccessful attempt!

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Don´t Forget That

Career Planning• You must engage in career planning, both short and long term, to help

guide you along the desired career path of your choice. • If you do not plan to succeed you are planning to fail – not just failing to

plan

• You will be introduced to a formal SWOT analysis to evaluate your own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to your career. You will learn about marketable job skills and the importance of networking.

• Once a career path is chosen, you will need to learn effective CV writing and interviewing skills.

• The next section covers how to write a quality CV, the importance of cover letters, helpful tips on what to include and exclude from these documents and important interviewing techniques that are crucial to landing the job.

• After successful completion of this section, you will know what important skills you should include in your CV and how to prepare for a successful interview.

Short Term Planning

Short term career planning focuses on a timeframe ranging from the coming year to the next few years.

Here are the steps to creating a short term career plan:1. Identify your next career move. Narrow down the choices and

focus on one or two careers.2. Conduct detailed career research and gather information on the

careers that most interest you.3. Pinpoint the qualifications you need to move to the next step in

your career or to make the move to a new career path.4. Compare your current profile with the qualifications developed in

step 3. How far apart are the two profiles? If fairly well-matched, it may be time to switch to a job search. If fairly apart, can you realistically achieve the qualifications in the short term?

5. Develop a plan to get skilled and qualified. Make a list of the types of skills and qualifications you need to enhance your standing for your next career move.

6. Develop a timeline and action pan for achieving each type, being sure o set specific goals and priorities.

Long Term Planning

Long term career planning:– Involves planning of five years or longer and a broader set of

guidelines and preparation.– Should be more about identifying and developing core skills that

employers will always value while developing your personal and career goals in broad strokes.

– Core workplace skills: Communication (verbal and written), critical and creative thinking, teamwork and team-building, listening, social, problem-solving, decision-making, interpersonal, project management, planning and organizing, computer/technology and commitment to continuous/lifelong learning.

– Identifying career Trends: How you prepare for future career changes and developments. Conducting research on careers.

Marketable Job Skills Overview

There are a five main marketable job skills that you should not only be aware of, but possess and include in your career planning development.

Research and

Planning

HumanRelation

s

Organization,

Management and

Leadership

WorkSurvival

Communication

Marketable Job Skills - Communication

Communication: The skillful expression, transmission and

interpretation of knowledge and ideas.

Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas

Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating Perceiving nonverbal messages

Persuading Reporting information

Describing feelings Interviewing

Editing Effective body language

Marketable Job Skills – Research and Planning

Research and Planning: The search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs.

Forecasting, predicting Creating ideas

Identifying problems Imagining alternatives

Identifying resources Gathering information

Solving problems Setting goals

Extracting important information Defining needs

Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies

Marketable Job Skills – Human Relations

Human Relations: The set of interpersonal skills for

resolving conflict, relating to and helping people.

Developing rapport Being sensitive

Listening Conveying feelings

Providing support for others Motivating

Sharing credit Counseling

Cooperating Delegating with respect

Representing others Perceiving feelings, situations

Asserting Escalating to managers and

stakeholders

Marketable Job Skills – Organization, Management and Leadership

Organization, Management and Leadership: The ability to supervise, direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals.

Initiating new ideas Handling details

Coordinating tasks Managing groups

Delegating responsibility Teaching

Coaching Counseling

Promoting change Selling ideas or products

Decision making with others Managing conflict

Marketable Job Skills – Work Survival

Work Survival: The daily skills that assist in promoting effective production.

Implementing decisions Cooperating

Enforcing policies Being punctual

Managing time Attention to detail

Meeting goals Enlisting help

Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines

Organizing Making decisions

SWOT Analysis

In order to accurately evaluate and understand your career planning, you should conduct a personal SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats).

When you look at your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, it can help develop a career direction by matching your capabilities and experiences with the correct career path you are looking into.

This should align with your Values.

You can learn more about SWOT analysis at:http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm

Career Strengths

Your strengths are the positive aspects of your life that make your knowledge and work experience different from everyone else.

Examples: • Work experience• Education• Strong technical knowledge within your field• Specific transferable skills such as communication,

teamwork and leadership• Personal characteristics such as strong work ethic, self

discipline, ability to work under pressure, creativity and high level of energy

• Good contacts or successful networking• Interaction with professional organizations

Career Strengths (Articles)

Here are some good online articles that describe how looking at your strengths is beneficial to your career planning:

– Article on Focusing on your Strengths: http://www.jobseekersadvice.com/career_advice/articles/focus_on_your_strengths.htm

– Article on Assessing Strengths and Weaknesses: http://interview.monster.com/articles/biggest/

Career Weaknesses

Your weaknesses are the negative aspects of your life that you need to improve on.

Examples: • Lack of work experience• Lack of goals, self knowledge or lack of job knowledge• Weak technical skills• Weak business skills, such as leadership, interpersonal,

communication or teamwork• Weak job-hunting skills or negative personal

characteristics such as poor work ethic, lack of discipline, lack of motivation, indecisiveness, shyness or too emotional

Career Weaknesses (Articles)

Although you will feel uncomfortable discussing your possible weaknesses, it may be necessary to do so in an interview. You should always try to turn your weaknesses into a positive, showing that you have changed or are trying to apply a change to lessen these weaknesses.

Here is a good article on how to address interview questions about your weaknesses: http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/interviewing/20041006-hirsch.html

Career Opportunities

Your opportunities are the positive conditions that you do not control, but you plan to take advantage of.

Examples: • Positive trends in your field that create more jobs• Opportunities you could have in the field by enhancing

your education• A need for your specific knowledge or skills• Opportunities for advancement in your field• Geography• Strong network of contacts

Career Threats

Your threats are negative conditions that you do not control and you may not be able to lessen.

Examples: • Negative trends in your field• High competition from others in your field with more

knowledge or education• Limited advancement in your field• Companies not hiring people with your education or skills

Career Threats (Articles)

Have you ever thought about what could happen to the industry you are looking into or are currently working in? What would happen if your type of job was no longer in demand? This is not a pleasant thought, but proactively thinking about the threats and potential obstacles in your career planning can help you to direct your career planning efforts in the right direction.

Here is a good article with a list of potential career obstacles: http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:z6AHQgyx2ksJ:www.ecu.edu/e3careers/pdf/jobsearch/IdentifyingObstacles.pdf+career+obstacles&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5

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Where Am I Now? – Review SWOT Analysis

STRENGTH

THREAT

OPP

ORT

UN

ITIE

S WEAKN

ESS

WHAT DO I

WANT TO DO?

INTERNAL

INTERNAL

EXTERNAL

EXTERNAL

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Where Do I Want To Be?

Company type Contract type Position Salary level

The level of salary expectation defined in local currency, yearly or monthly, understand differences in Gross/nett•Administrative position•Management position•Consulting•Team or Independent

•Full time/part time•Working contract•Other type of contract•Freelancer•Interim/Projects•Volunteer

•Public Sector•Large Enterprise•Start Up•NGO•Non-profit organisation•Self Employed•Industry Sector

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How Do I Get There?

• Put your CV on job websites• Register yourself in recruitment

databases of companies• Answer advertisments• Get directly in touch with companies• Build and use your network• Ask for references• Participate on job/career days•Web networking (Facebook, Xing,

LinkedIn)

REACT

CREATE

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Getting There!

1. Prepare your CV2. Prepare your Cover letter3. Prepare yourself for personal

interviews4. Prepare your “elevator pitch“

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Believe In Yourself

1. Write a short summary of “what can I offer to my potential employer” at the beginning of the CV

2. Make your CV simple and transparent3. Avoid chronological employment gaps in CV4. There is no universal CV or motivation letter5. Read the job description carefully6. Learn more about the company which invited

you for an interview7. Be creative

Common Requirements Of Employers

Recent UK Survey – What Business Wants from graduates

• Analytical Thinking

• Problem Solving

• Subject Specific Skills

• Research & Technical Skills

• New Ideas & Innovation

Concerns -

• Lack of commercial awareness

• Limited work experience

• Difficulty in adapting to a non academic environment

• Overspecialised

European Employer Survey: Top skills required • Learning• Ethics and Integrity• Listening• Team Work• Written Communication• Oral Communication• Personal Strengths• Technical Skills• Responsibility• Interpersonal• Commitment and persistence

Self-Assessment

• Reflect on all your previous experience (jobs, projects, activities) and identify themes:– What strengths emerged?– What energized you?– What was achieved – measurable benefits

• Know your skills and how they can transfer• Know your values - what matters most in the

workplace• Know your priorities - what matters most in your

life

Researching Different Industries• When considering changing industries, begin with self-assessment to

determine your transferable skills, skills in demand across industries (reliability, analytical skills, communication skills, teamwork, leadership, etc.)

• Research new fields by investigating specialized press and professional organizations. See our Web site and the Reference Guide for this presentation for suggestions.

• Learn about funding streams at universities, research/cultural institutions, non-profits, and NGOs.

• Inform yourself about larger trends:– Economic: Which areas are growing or maintaining their present

levels?Consider ancillary industries that serve those that are

growing as well as how technological changes will open opportunities.

Take regional growth or stagnation into consideration– Social: Learn about population trends like aging and immigration that

affect jobs.Remember that larger (10 year +) trends may be reversed

by the severity of the downturn. – Political: Pay attention to what the “Stimulus Package” funds.

Your Job-Hunting starts here…

Effective job-hunting involves 3 main elements: • knowledge of yourself - what type of job

would match your interests, motivations and values

• Knowledge of the job market - where the jobs are

• Knowledge of the best job search methods.

Passive V’s Creative Job-Hunting

• Passive and Reactive job-hunting will only produce results for a small number of people during a recession.

• It involves applying for advertised jobs and being in competition with a large number of people.

• It also involves searching recruitment websites which a lot of people also do.

• Remember that 80% of jobs are unadvertised and will never appear on Job Boards, Recruitment sites or on Company Career web sites!

Main elements to a creative job search:

• Research on yourself and the jobs market.• Networking – developing a network of

people who can give you career advice/ tips, industry contacts & heads-up information on potential job opportunities.

• Making speculative applications – this involves sending a CV/cover letter to firms who have not advertised jobs.

Note: During a recession competition for jobs is higher and your CV could be on file before a job is advertised.

Job Hunting Strategies – Job Matching

• Focus on the “responsibilities” and/or “duties” section of a job description.

• You can apply for a position even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications

• Don’t presume that because an organization isn’t posting any jobs, there are absolutely no positions

• Contact people or organizations that interest you whether or not they are posting job vacancies

Developing a Plan B

• Have an idea of something else you could do and would like to do.

• What else did your self-assessment tell you?• Should you draw out your time in graduate

school?• Develop additional skills and practice talking

about all your skills in different work contexts.• Consider an internship or short-term consulting

job.• Consider a certification course.• Consider taking a job that isn’t perfect but lets

you move closer to your Plan A job.• If you’ve had a previous career, would that be

something you could do as an interim job?

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Develop your Self-marketing Strategy?

What is Your Brand?

Definition Of Marketing

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“Marketing is the management process that identifies, anticipates and satisfies customer requirements profitably”The Chartered Institute of Marketing

“Marketing is about finding your unique abilities and being able to communicate these to others effectively. ”

“Marketing is a social and managerial process by which individuals and groups obtain what they want and need through creating, offering and exchanging products of value with others”Kotler 1991

“The right product, in the right place, at the right time, and at the right price”

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How To Change Your Approach

PRODUCT YOU

PLACE YOUR DREAM JOB, COMPANY

TIME RIGHT NOW

PRICEWHAT ARE YOUR SALARY EXPECTATIONS – HOW MUCH EFFORT ARE PREPARED TO PUT IN

‘The right product, in the right place, at the right time, and at the

right price’

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Implications Of Marketing

Who are our existing/potential customers?

= Employer, Project, Schools, Agencies

What are their current / future needs?

= Open position/Advertisement

How can we satisfy these needs?• Can we offer a product/

service that the customer would value?

• Can we deliver a competitive product or service?

= My experience, potential, motivation, loyalty, flexibility, responsibility, interest, etc

Why should customers buy (from) us?

= My uniqueness for the employer

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Marketing Management Process

Analysis/Audit Where am I now?

Objectives Where do I want to be?

Strategies Which way is the best for me?

Tactics How do I get there?

Implementation Getting there!

XXV. EUFASA Conference in Prague 70

Possible Fears

What can I say about my CV gaps?

Just describe it!

What can I offer to the potential employer?

„Nothing“: is the WRONG answer!

Am I good enough for this job?

Some positions are not suitable for everyone

How long do people stay in one job?

2 years on average

Networking

Have you ever heard the phrase “It’s all in who you know?” or “It’s not what you know but who you know!” It’s stated because it’s true. Many people land jobs because they form a relationship with another person who can help them along their career planning path. For this reason, network contacts often turn out to be the best source of information.

• They provide you with information about careers.• They counsel you in interests, skills, experiences and

goals.• They generate job leads.

Networking-gaining access to the hidden job market

• Use your contacts (professors, friends, relatives, former employers, coworkers, professional organizations, etc…) to help you in your search.

• Recruiters are inundated with on-line applicants, so having a friend put in a good word for you will get you noticed. – Better still build a good network of recruitment contacts

using LinkedIn – Get to be on first name terms with key recruiters in your industry

• According to the Harvard Business Review, nearly 80% of the openings available at any one time are never advertised.

Where to Network

Networking can happen anywhere, if you keep your eyes open to the opportunities that exist around you in your everyday activities.

Here are a few great places to network:

One to one meetings Conferences and Conventions Career or Job Fairs Academic/Training Settings Networking meetings The Internet Social/Community settings

Networking Strategies

Networking with others to further your career path is not as hard as it may sound. It can be as easy as starting up a conversation with a person in a training session to calling an executive and building a relationship.

No matter how you network, you should have a strategy for what you can get out of the networking session.

A networking strategy consists of: Establishing well-defined goals Setting objectives to reach those goals Creating a plan to meet those objectives

Networking - Information Interviewing

• These questions can be put to some of your network professionals – the purpose of these questions is to learn more about the particular sector and entry route information.

• How did the person get into the sector? Duties involved in their job?

• What is the competition for jobs like? How can I improve my chances of getting a job, e.g. extra training?

• What important skills are needed? • What are the entry – level jobs?• Opportunities for work–shadowing? • Feedback on my CV?• Professional advise on industry/role/career path

Networking Sources

• Any relevant employers to date or work placement employers may give you contacts in other firms within the sector.

• Former colleagues are also a good source of network leads

• Join www.linkedin.com – professional networking website. – Create your professional profile using info from your

CV & state your aim regarding seeking work. – There is an option to join relevant professional

groups/networks – ideal way to get industry contacts & potential jobs.

– See ‘groups’ in drop down menu on homepage. Jobs are also listed for different sectors on the site.

Speculative Applications

NB: Key point of Creative Job-hunting is that many jobs are not advertised:

• Advertising jobs is expensive and time consuming and may elicit an unwanted large volume of CVs - especially during a recession.

• Employers may already have received speculative CVs and will usually review these first for potentially suitable candidates to interview. They may ask internally if their own employees know of any suitable candidates for the job (networking).

• If none of these options brings any suitable/potential candidates they may then advertise.

Speculative Applications

• Speculative applications are especially important to small-medium sized firms (up to 250 employees), who may have little budgetary resources for recruitment.

• The majority of firms in UK are SME’s, (Small & medium-sized enterprises).

Speculative Applications

• See information on the ‘networking sources’ slide (previously) for targeting firms in your sector with speculative applications.

Work-shadowing & unpaid work

• If on graduating, relevant paid work is hard to come by for a while, consider offering yourself voluntarily to a firm for a day/few hours.

• Or ask about work-shadowing – you ’shadow’ an employee to observe and learn about their job/duties involved.

• Both options could be obtained using networking and/or speculative applications.

• Internet has become a great resource for job seekers to find a job. Finding a job online can either be a devastating task or it can be an exceptionally easy one.

• The level of difficulty of online job search depends upon the internet resource and the way it is being utilized. The online world is as complex as the actual world is.

• By learning the right techniques you can get the best job and that too with the least effort

How to find Jobs Online

Recruitment Agencies: • These are the agencies that match employers

with the job applicants who fit their criteria. • You are just required to register with these job

agencies and leave your succinct profile and contact details.

• Employers subscribe to these sites to find appropriate candidates to fill their vacancies.

• And if you are appropriate for a particular vacancy then you will be contacted by the job agency.

• But before registering with any of the job agency check the security of the site and confirm that their primary client is the employer, not you.

Here are some useful ways that can help you to find a job online:

Online Forums: • Participate in online forums where the topic is all

about job hunt. • There are online forums available for every

plausible profession. • What you need to do is to become a member of

the different online forums and take part enthusiastically in the activities.

• In order to generate a plenty of references to job openings it is essential to mention and describe your skills, knowledge, achievements, experience and expertise in the forums.

Corporate Websites: • Corporate websites appear like a good place to

find a job. • Search the websites of the companies that you

would like to work for. Locate the “careers” page of the website and see if there is any opening that matches your skills and expertise.

• In case if you don’t find any opening matching your profile then send an email to the HR and make a case for why they should employ you or even think about you.

Check Job Sites: • By searching job sites you can also

find a job with no experience. • Browse the jobs that are listed and apply

according to your profession and desire. • But before applying it is essential to know the

site and the team behind it. • Confirm that the information provided on the

“about us” or “contact us” pages of the website is real.

• It is advisable to check the authenticity of job sites which only have fill-in-the-blank forms on their pages or which are introduced through e-mail.

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The Continuous Improvement FormulaPut Your Career on the Fast TrackThere are many things you can do to put your career onto the fast track. You can set clear, specific goals for each area of your life and then make plans to accomplish them. You can plan your work and work your plan. Ask For Greater ResponsibilityYou can accept 100% responsibility for everything you are and everything you become. You can refuse to make excuses or to blame others. You can tell your boss that you want greater responsibilities and then when you get them, put your whole heart into doing an excellent job. 

The Continuous Improvement FormulaUtilize Your Inborn TalentsIn the parable of the talents in the New Testament, Jesus says, "Oh good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over small things. I will make you master over large things." If you too will carry out every assignment to the very best of your ability, you will be given larger and more important things to do and you'll be paid more as a result.

Dedicate Yourself to Continuous ImprovementThe key to long term success is for you to dedicate yourself to continuous improvement. If you become one tenth of one percent more productive each day, that amounts to 1/1000th improvement per working day. Is that possible? Of course it is! 

The Continuous Improvement FormulaImprove A Little At A TimeIf you become one tenth of one percent more productive each day, that amounts to one half of one percent more productive each week. One half of one percent more productive each week amounts to two percent more productive each month and 26% more productive each year. The cumulative effect of becoming a tiny bit better at your field and more productive amounts to a tremendous increase in your value and your output over time. 

The Continuous Improvement FormulaHow to Double Your ProductivityTwenty-six percent more productive each year, with compounding, amounts to doubling your overall productivity and performance every 2.7 years. If you become 26% more productive each year, with compounding, times 10 years, you will be 1004% more productive over the next decade. That is an increase of ten times over ten years. The Reason For All Great SuccessesThis is called the Law of Accumulation, or the Principle of Incremental Improvement. It is the primary reason for all great success stories. By the yard, it's hard. But inch by inch, anything's a cinch! 

The Continuous Improvement FormulaBecome A 1000% PersonMake a decision, right now, to be a 1000% person. Commit yourself to continuous personal and professional development. Read, listen to audio programs and take additional courses. This process will completely transform your life. Action ExercisesHere are two things you can do to put these ideas into action immediately.1. First, make a plan to become a little bit better every

single day. Learn and apply one new idea each day to help you to become more productive and effective at your work. The incremental effect will amaze you.

2. Second, be patient. Don't expect overnight changes or instant results. Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare. Become a little bit better each day and your future will take care of itself.

Plan to Succeed

Plan and Prepare in AdvanceUse A Time PlannerA time planner, broken down by day, hour and minute, organized in advance, can be one of the most powerful, personal productivity tools of all. It enables you to see where you can consolidate and create blocks of time for concentrated work.

Eliminate All DistractionsDuring this working time, you turn off the telephone, eliminate all distractions and work non-stop. One of the best work habits of all is for you to get up early and work at home in the morning for several hours. You can get three times as much work done at home without interruptions as you ever could in a busy office where you are surrounded by people and bombarded by phone calls.

Plan and Prepare in Advance Create an Office in the AirWhen you fly on business, you can create your office in the air by planning your work thoroughly before you depart. When the plane takes off, you can work non-stop for the entire flight. You will be amazed at how much work you can go through when you work steadily in an airplane, without interruptions.

 

Plan and Prepare in AdvanceMake Every Minute CountOne of the keys to high levels of performance and productivity is for you to make every minute count. Use travel and transition time, what is often called "gifts of time" to complete small chunks of larger tasks.

Remember, the pyramids were built one block at a time. A great life and a great career is built one task, and often, one part of a task, at a time. Your job in time management is to deliberately and creatively organize the concentrated time periods you need to get your key jobs done well, and on schedule.

Plan and Prepare in AdvanceAction ExercisesHere are two steps you can take immediately to put these ideas into action.

1. First, think continually of different ways that you can save, schedule and consolidate large chunks of time. Use this time to work on important tasks with the most significant long-term consequences.

2. Second, make every minute count. Work steadily and continuously without diversion or distraction by planning and preparing your work in advance. Most of all, keep focused on the most important results for which you are responsible.

APPENDIX

• http://humanresources.about.com• http://jobsearchtech.about.com/ • www.cvtips.com/• www.xing.com• www.linkedin.com

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