Firstly, and most importantly, decide what you want to do, and why you want to do it. This may sound obvious, or silly, but it's not, it is crucial.
It may be that you have worked as a Secretary in a multinational IT company's UKHQ for the last 5 years. You may have loved it - brilliant. On the other hand, whilst you may have enjoyed aspects of your role, it may be that ideally you'd like to stay in your industry but work for a smaller company. Or get out of the IT industry altogether. It's the same for any profession. Writing down key words such as;
- location
- culture
- size
- industry
- money
- (and of course) role
will really help you to get into the right frame of mind for your jobsearch. What would push you towards one employer, or pull you away from another if they both offered you a job? Start with your absolute ideals, and then think about what you would prefer, and then again about what you will accept.
I would then suggest writing a list of all the companies you would like to work for, and why. It may be that you used to work with them as a client/supplier, they were a competitor, or that you have heard good things about them and their products through trade press and networking. You might also want to Google companies within your target sector in your area and then select those that fit in with your original criteria. Be sensible, flexible and open-minded and you should end up with an extensive, healthy looking list of many companies to aproach.
The next step would be to do you research into these companies. Take your time to find out the names of contacts within HR and your relevant department. Find out (through their website, networking, calling through to the company) if they are currently recruiting, and if so, who is responsible for the initial stages. If they do not have any live vacancies, don't be put off - they may need someone in the near future but don't have "sign-off" for the recruitment yet.
Once you have these lists to hand, you can send your CV along with targeted cover letters to each company, explaining (briefly) your exact reasons for wanting to work with them, and what benefits you can bring to them. Whether they are currently recruiting for live vacancies, or are just thinking about the near future, this will make you stand out against standard, robot-like written applications.
Secondly, get your details on to the job boards, such as;
These are all fairly generalised, with a wide range of jobs covering various positions. If you work in a more technical or specialised profession, I suggest researching which job-boards specifically target you - there are far too many to list but if you need help with this please contact me for suggestions.
Make your details sound interesting. List your skills clearly and use tag words that potential employers will search for. As a recruiter I spent many happy hours trawling job boards - the best CV's stand out as they are full of relevant detail.
If you speak languages, make sure this is clear. If you are willing to relocate, or travel, make this known. These little details will make a huge difference when an employer is scanning a hundred CV's a day.
Thirdly, approach Recruitment Agencies. I would recommend using industry specific agencies wherever possible - the Consultants will understand the job you do, will be able to probe into your skills and experience and gather information that may not be on paper. This will enable them to match your details to jobs they are working on - even if your CV doesn't scream out that you may be ideal. Believe me, a good consultant is worth their weight in gold, and will know industry details that may prove invaluable.
It may seem like a good idea to flood the market with your details - in fact the opposite is true. Clients who receive the same CV from 5 or 6 agents start to doubt the processes. If an agency doesn't sound like they have an absolute understanding of your role and requirements - if they just talk at you rather than asking you questions - I wouldn't let them represent you. Start by working alongside 1 or 2 experts, and if they can't help within a week or so, start to widen your net.
If you are new to an industry, or new to work in general, the high street agencies may be a good place to start. This time last year, I would have suggested using your agency as a first resort - but in the current climate, be aware that no matter how good a Consultant is, the recruiting company may not be willing to pay agency fees.
Most importantly:
Stay positive, and keep working at it. No matter how good you are, don't rely on a job coming to you - contact as many companies directly with a personal touch as you possibly can, keep in touch with your agents and respond quickly and professionally to any emails or messages**
Finding a job can often be a full time job itself, and in these times it will inevitably harder than usual. The more preparation and research you do at this stage, the better. Make sure you keep a strict list of where your CV has gone, and who sent it (you, or name of agency). There are jobs out there, and you can get one!
** Please ensure both your email address and voicemail message are professional - You wouldn't believe some of the things I've heard or seen!
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