How to Find a Job Fast - Employment Tips for Students

The start of the summer can be a singularlyessential, as you don't want recruiters to
stressful time of the year. Just as soon as theapproach the companies that you are already
exams end you have to find a job, at the samespeaking to. Recruitment consultants vary widely,
time as everybody else!so ask your friends, acquaintances and even
So what can you do to tip the balance back inemployers themselves for referrals if you are
your favour?struggling to find a good one.
Firstly, make sure that your CV is well-writtenAnybody familiar with social networking sites such
and up-to-date. There are thousands of booksas MySpace will be aware of the benefits of their
and websites overflowing with CV writing advice.business equivalents, such as LinkedIn. In addition
The major jobsites such as Monster are a primeto posting your own profile you can look up other
example and if you find the CV writing processpeople by company and then send them an email
too daunting you can even employ a professionalenquiring about employment opportunities.
CV writer to do it for you.Anecdotal evidence suggests that this direct
To be taken seriously you should alwaysapproach works rather well; not least because
introduce yourself with a covering letterboth parties can check out each other's personal
addressed directly to the hiring manager. If theprofiles prior to proceeding.
job ad doesn't give a contact name then it'sReal world networking is another important
always worthwhile phoning the company to findactivity. - Sometimes this can be as simple as
out for yourself.phoning a past employer to ask if they need any
(Some companies are remarkably reticent aboutmore help at present.
revealing the names of their staff; reassuringAlso, it may be embarrassing to admit that your
them that you simply wish to know who tofirst job was working for your parents, but when
address your email to can sometimes do thetimes are tough just accept all the help that you
trick.)can get.
As most people use the same CV for each jobOf course, all of this job-hunting advice is useless
application, the covering letter is particularlyif you can't impress in an interview. The trick here
important because it is your opportunity to showis to practise, practise, practise using every
that you understand the employer's needs.conversation with HR to further refine your
A tried and tested approach for a covering is toanswers. Careers centres can arrange practice
explain in brief that you meet all the essentialsessions, if your friends aren't able to help. If you
criteria mentioned in the advert, backing this upknow what to say, but simply lack confidence,
by alluding to the experience detailed in your CV.then join your local Toastmasters or a similar
Compliments won't go amiss, as long as youpublic speaking group.
sound sincere, and conveying your enthusiasm isToday's managers started from the bottom
essential, especially if you are light on experience.themselves not so long ago, and they won't
When applying for your first job, focus on yourexpect a recent graduate to be an expert at
energy, commitment and willingness to learn. If alleverything. It should go without saying that you
else fails, consider working for peanuts until aneed to put your best foot forward, however,
better opportunity arises. Other employees mayexaggeration is really not the way to go. Being
give you hints about jobs elsewhere.realistic about your current limitations shows that
And make sure you get a reference oryou can be trusted, whilst even a 'little white lie',
testimonial. It is handy to have a record of whoonce spotted will quickly discredit you.
you worked for and when. What they say in yourHaving been offered the job, make sure that you
favour helps you fill in those forms, which ask youare clear about the financial package and other
to describe your good and bad points.benefits such as the number of days holiday.
Voluntary placements tell employers that you areRecruiters can be particularly useful under such
willing to take a long-term view and are infinitelycircumstances as they often have the inside line
preferable to months of aimless unemployment.on how much the employer is really willing to
Any experience is better than experience of beingoffer, and because their fee is generally in
on the dole.proportion to your starting salary they have a
Entry-level positions can attract avested interest in helping you to earn more.
disproportionately large number of applicants,QUICK TIPS
sometimes in excess of 100 per week.
Nevertheless, the situation isn't as bad as it1. Update your CV using Internet advice, or hire a
sounds, as a fair proportion of the competition willCV writing company to help.
have embarrassingly bad CVs. (As any recruiter2. Add a covering letter.
will testify.)3. Get a contact name. Explain you only need the
Loading your CV up to online CV databases canname to address a letter correctly.
effortlessly draw the head-hunters to you.4. Get work experience, however badly paid,
If you have a good CV, then persistence will payeven unpaid.
off in the end, as to a certain extent it is a5. Place your CV online.
numbers game. However, quality is still more6. Utilise networking communities, such as linkedIn.
important than quantity, because these days7. Approach employers but tell recruiters who
untargeted mass-emails are simply treated asyou've already approached.
spam.8. Rehearse interviews with friends or at Careers
Cast your net far and wide by talking to bothCentres.
recruitment consultants and employers directly.9. To gain confidence join Toastmasters who train
This makes careful note-taking absolutelyyou to stand up and speak.