Twelve Days of Your Christmas Job Hunt

Like it or not, the twelve days of Christmas are now the twelve days of your Christmas job hunt! There’s no better time to get an edge on your competition job-wise; so while everyone is out carousing, you’ll be at home getting a head start on your search.

 

On the first day of Christmas, my job hunt said to me… target your market!

It’s essential that you have a career plan at the ready. Try to come up with a clear goal that you can work towards, otherwise you might find yourself unsure of where to start. Once you’ve honed in on a specific area or field of interest, create a targeted list of companies you’d like to work for, and positions that are relevant to your experience. You’ll have a much easier time navigating the job market after identifying what it is you want to do and who it is you want to work for.

 

On the second day of Christmas, my job hunt said to me… revamp your CV and cover letter

The first tenet of a strong application is a short, snappy CV. Employers typically spend less than 30 seconds looking over your application, so you’ll want to grab their attention from the get-go. You should also cater your CV and cover letter to the job at hand, in order to position yourself as the best candidate for the role.

 

On the third day of Christmas, my job hunt said to me… network, network, network

As you’ve probably heard many times over, it’s not what you know, but who you know. Try to identify groups of people who are key industry players; this can include professional associations, peer groups, or university alumni. Networking with influential parties will give you a lead in the market, not to mention that it allows you to participate in discussions with some pretty interesting people.

 

On the fourth day of Christmas, my job hunt said to me… give yourself a social media makeover

Grow your presence on LinkedIn, and rid your Facebook/Twitter/Instagram of any questionable content. Your online persona can say a lot about who you are as a person (and an employee), so try to present yourself in a positive and professional light across all digital platforms.

 

On the fifth day of Christmas, my job hunt said to me… suit up!

If you haven’t been to an interview in a while, it might be time to throw out that ill-fitting suit, and to replenish your career wardrobe. Make sure you have all the essentials – a power suit and nicely laundered shirt or a dress and smart shoes. Once you’ve checked those off your list, you’ll be ready for world domination.

 

On the sixth day of Christmas, my job hunt said to me… make the jobs come to you

Register with as many recruiters as possible, and upload your CV to Fish4jobs. Be sure to also sign up for job alerts that are catered to your search, so you’ll be the first to know about the latest vacancies in your area/line of work. Once you’ve done this you can sit back, relax, and let the jobs come to you!

 

On the seventh day of Christmas, my job hunt said to me… mock interview

You might feel silly doing it, but it’s best to have a few trial runs under your belt before the big interview day. Practice with a friend before the real thing, so you’ll be well-versed in what you want to say. Be sure to also spend a bit more time on the tricky questions, that way you won’t be phased if/when they come up during the interview process.

 

On the eighth day of Christmas, my job hunt said to me… do your company and market research

Find out as much as you can about the companies you’ve been invited to interview for. A good place to start is the company’s history: this will give you a good idea of where they’ve been, as well as the direction they’re going in. You’ll also want to be up to date on the latest in company and industry news, as well as any recent developments within the sector. Finally, keep yourself informed on industry standards. This way you’ll impress the employer with your preparedness and relevant knowledge.

 

On the ninth day of Christmas, my job hunt said to me… build your personal brand

Finding a job requires that you sell yourself to a potential employer. As such, it’s crucial that you establish your online and offline assets. Some great ways to do this is by securing a domain name and website, creating a print or online portfolio, or even contributing to important projects. This shows the employer that you not only have the passion, but the skills necessary to do the job.

 

On the tenth day of Christmas, my job hunt said to me… follow up

It’s always good practice to follow up after your interview. First be sure to send the employer a thank-you note; not only will they appreciate the gesture, but it will keep you on the company’s radar. Then try and sit tight until decision day. If you still haven’t heard back by the agreed date however, then it might be time to put in a personable, professional call or email.

 

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my job hunt said to me… keep applying

We know looking for a job can be a grueling process, but don’t let that dishearten you… your weeks of hard slog will inevitably pay off! If you have yet to hear back from the companies you’ve applied for, keep in mind that most businesses are just getting back into the swing of things after the festive period. So keep your eye on the prize, and continue to apply for jobs and monitor listings.

 

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my job hunt said to me… treat yo’ self!

It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but you’ve finally reached the finish line. Maybe you were able to secure a job, or perhaps the hunt continues… either way, take a bit of time for yourself in order to de-stress. This could mean watching your favourite movie, taking a long nap, cooking a hearty meal, or even going out on the town. Whatever you decide, just make sure you kick back and relax for a little bit. As important as finding a job might be, it’s the last day of Christmas. You deserve to have some fun!