Top Job Seeking

Strategies

Louise Bamford

Career Development Centre

careers@westminster.ac.uk

What will be covered

Getting started

Targeting companies

Different routes into employment

How to find and research jobs and employers

Getting started

What job

do I want?

What have

I got to

offer?

What jobs

are out

there?

What do you want?

What jobs would suit me?

http://www.westminster.ac.uk/study/current-

students/support-and-facilities/career-development-

centre/finding-work/what-career-is-right-for-you

Graduate advice websites, careers events, networking, work shadowing & experience

Talk to a careers consultant

Targeting companies

Business activity

Size

Training

Prospects

Culture

Travel

Location

Salary

Benefits

Security

Current climate

Recent improvements in UK, but overall economy still challenging

Competition is tough – those with work experience are more likely to be successful

Early application to a wide range of employers is essential

What’s out there?

Large graduate recruiters

Small and medium sized enterprises

Private sector

Public sector

Voluntary sector

Self-employment

Iceberg principle

75%

25%

The open job market Advertised posts

The hidden job

marketDirect

approaches

Networking

Open job market

Graduate / general jobs boards

Company websites

Specialist / professional body websites

Social media

Recruitment fairs / careers events

Recruitment agencies

Local and national press

Online jobs and events system (on our home page)

Finding work section:

CDC Vacancy sources:www.westminster.ac.uk/careers

- finding jobs by subject - working and studying abroad

Other useful websites

www.prospects.ac.uk

www.targetjobs.co.uk

www.milkround.com

www.insidecareers.co.uk

www.monster.co.uk

www.indeed.co.uk

www.totaljobs.com

www.fish4.co.uk

www.jobserve.com

www.jobsite.co.uk

Finding the hidden jobs

Approach current/previous employers

Network with existing and new contacts

Offer to temp or freelance with firms looking for staff

Speculative applications (written)

Cold calling - in person, by phone

S

C

A

R

I

O

M

E

T

E

R?

Networking

Who is in your network?

Family and friends

Clubs and associations

Tutors and careers consultants

Previous employers

Professional associations

Alumni associations

Networking

Make it known that you are looking for work and what it is that you can do, ask open questions: what they do, any advice and further contacts

Use a broad spectrum of communication

methods: face-to-face, phone calls, emails, social

networking sites, online discussion forums

By utilising your network, you are utilising the

network of everyone within that network too

Social networking

Linkedin, twitter, facebook.....

Establish contact with professionals you have

recently met

Research or follow specific companies / personnel

Identify industry trends

But take care over your online profile.....

Speculative applications

Research, research, research

Target a named person with a relevant role in the organisation

Develop a persuasive, targeted CV and covering letter

Follow-up with a phone call

Ask for further contacts

Be persistent!

Summary

Know what you have to offer, what you want,

what’s out there for targeted campaign

Use a range of open and hidden techniques

Use your network to identify opportunities and inform company interactions

Review your progress regularly

Career Development Centre

Services

1-to-1

Guidance

E-Advice

Vacancies

& Events

Information

ResourcesVolunteering

Employer

Events

Talent Bank

Associates

In Schools

Mentoring

Contact us

Central London

1st Floor, Cavendish House

101 New Cavendish Street

London

W1W 6XH

Harrow

Room E16

Watford Road

HA1 3TP

Nearest Tube:

Northwick Park

T 020 7911 5184

E careers@westminster.ac.uk

westminster.ac.uk/careers

Follow us on

facebook.com/uowcareers

twitter.com/uw_careers

blog.westminster.ac.uk/careers

Slides download from:

slidesharewww.slideshare.net/cdcwestminster

Evaluation

How did we do?