Can’t find a job? Here’s what to do next

It’s easy to get disheartened if you’re desperately trying to find a new job and NOTHING is working.

But, just because you haven’t found the right job yet, it doesn’t mean that it will never happen. Even something as simple as making a few small changes to your application could greatly increase your chances – you just need to know where to start.

To giving you a helping step up, here are our top tips on what to do if you can’t find a job that works for you:

Look at your CV with fresh eyes

How many CVs are you sending and hearing nothing back? Perhaps it’s time to look at your CV format.

One of the hardest things to do is to look at your CV from another person’s perspective. Is your resume going to catch the eye of a potential hiring manager? You could be including the same clichés and mistakes over and over again – just because you’ve read your CV so many times that you haven’t realised that they are actually there.

Take some time to go back through your CV, check each line, reassess the format, and ask a friend or family member to give their opinion. Just a few simple tweaks could make a huge difference.

You could also look at our CV tips for some helpful advice.

Tailor your applications

If you’re sending the same application to every opportunity, unfortunately you are doing it wrong.

If you take the time to tailor every application to every opportunity, you’ll really start to stand out. One of the best ideas we’ve found is to take the job description for the job your applying for and specifically write your CV around it. Rearrange your key skills, achievements and personal statement around the requirements of the job.

Likewise, use your CV to inform your cover letter. Write about why you want the role and include valid reasons why you are the best person for the job. Don’t just say why you want this opportunity, explain why you are the perfect candidate for the role.

Are your ambitions realistic?

If you’re still not getting many responses, you may have set your sights too high (or too low).

This isn’t just a waste of your time, it’s also REALLY bad for your morale. So, instead of applying for positions which demand a lot of experience, or qualifications you might not yet have, think about whether you’re really right for the job.

Alternatively, you might want to try expanding your search parameters. Instead of focusing all of your efforts on your dream job, think about other potential avenues of employment that would utilise the skills and abilities you’ve accrued to date. Widening the net might actually end up being the best thing for your career.

Try temping

If you can’t find the perfect permanent job, why not try temping?

A lot of people are reticent about not having a full-time position, due to the lack of full security that it provides. Whilst we are never going to argue that temping is right for everyone, just by looking for temp work you are immediately surrounding yourself with less competition.

With less people applying for these opportunities, the more likely you are to be successful.

Plus, just getting back on the horse can do wonders for your motivation, not to mention your bank balance. Temping can also boost your employment prospects, helping to fill any unexplained periods of unemployment with practical experience.

You could also try volunteering, taking on an internship or looking for work experience, which will help get your name in front of the right people – not to mention provide some instant added value for your CV.

As a result, you’ll show off your dedicated work ethic and a willingness to turn your hand to anything, even if it’s not your ideal role. And that’s something all employers will find attractive.

Get creative

Recruitment isn’t just about applying to online adverts. In essence; it’s about the right people finding the right people. We are all human after all!

Face-to-face meetings can sometimes be more valuable than any online interaction, so cultivate your network of contacts in your chosen field by reaching out to them for an opportunity to discuss work.

Even if they can’t point you in the direction of a vacancy, there’s every chance they know someone who can.

Don’t give up hope

Finally, never lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel.

No matter what industry you’re in, job-seeking isn’t always an easy process. But approaching your search with a good level of self-awareness and a positive mindset can make a big difference when it comes to finding the right role.

8 uncomfortable things that will make you successful

In our early stages of life, it is natural to try new things and learn from experiences. A newborn has no knowledge of words, numbers, foods or smells until it is exposed to them. Without trying, there is no knowing. And without this process there is little opportunity to be educated.

However, as we get older, this process can start to slow if we become afraid of the unknown and of failure. Because failure is scary!

However, if you can get past the awkwardness of being outside your comfort zone, there is always an opportunity to keep learning and therefore be more successful in your life and career.

Here are our top 8 things that will make you successful:

1. Waking up early

Modern life. It’s exhausting! Whilst it may seem like squeezing in some extra minutes of sleep is going to make you super productive, the opposite is usually true. Your energy, focus and mental capacity are at their highest during the morning hours, only to wane throughout the rest of the day.

Take advantage of that time before breakfast when the chaos of the day has yet to set in. For most people, waking up early is a learned practice. Set aside some time to wake up properly and don’t jump in to complex tasks whilst your still dazed from your slumber. A smooth transition between bed and the workplace will help you to plan for the day and organise your priorities.

2. Admitting a mistake

Everyone has experienced that moment when you’ve realised you’ve made a mistake. The dread plummets to your stomach and your face burns with panic.

However, after the initial moment of rear, ask yourself some key questions:

·         Can the mistake be reversed? If so, how? And what are the consequences?

·         Who should know about the mistake?

·         Who can help you remedy the problem?

·         Do you need to contact anybody to explain what has happened?

What’s your plan? If the mistake isn’t immediately reversible, you’ll need a plan of action. A good plan is the best antidote to mistake-induced discomfort. Shift from panic to determination as soon as possible, and that discomfort will subside.

3. Public Speaking

This one had to be on the list. The fear of it has its own name – glossophobia!

It’s natural to be fearful of public speaking. We’ve all been there. Having that many ears and eyes judging your every word and movement is petrifying. But, in contrast, we all know how compelling a good public speaker can be and how much it can advance your ability to lead and inspire.

So, how to conquer your fears?

There are hundreds of techniques, but the obvious point is that it is impossible to memorise your whole speech. Instead, memorize your key points and your pivot lines. Pivot lines are the sentences that will move you from one key point to another. They act as navigational guides for your audience and a momentary comfort zone for you. Use these pivot lines to reset, take a breath, and move to your next key point.

Understand that everyone wants you to succeed. You are not going into battle. You are not facing a firing squad. These people you are talking to are all decent, interested folks. Many of whom also suffer from glossophobia. So know they are friendly, and talk to them like it.

4. Taking critical feedback

This one stings sometimes, but it’s important. Learning to hear criticism without turning your back to it can be a real achievement in your career.

Think of critical feedback as a cheat sheet. In giving you direct feedback, your manager or colleague is giving you a shortcut — your own personal konami code — to becoming better at your job.

Sometimes, even with the best intentions, taking feedback well can be a struggle. Your impulse will be to protect yourself; to get defensive, or stop listening.

So, be conscious of it. Much like accepting a compliment, take a breath when you realize critical feedback is coming your way. Listen to it all without interruption. Write down what you can. Then, ask questions to make sure you’re interpreting it right.

5. Giving critical feedback

The only thing worse than taking critical feedback is giving it. Whether you’re a manager or a friend, feedback is an opportunity to help someone get better. Don’t waste it. Good coaches give feedback directly and with respect. Don’t try to soften the blow or talk around the feedback. Doing so may make you feel better but it will only serve to confuse them.

If you’re struggling to be direct, try one clear line followed by detail. For example, “John, what you’re doing isn’t working. Let’s talk through why…”

Ultimately, knowing how to improve is as important as knowing what to improve. The person receiving the feedback should leave the conversation feeling empowered to change, not broken down.

6. Networking and making small talk

Everyone has a small-talk formula. Some people start with the weather, while others ask how things are going with you at work.

Here’s the trick to mastering small talk: Be fascinated by watching people who are good at it.

It’s a little like being dealt a hand of cards, you can use what you have to get to bigger and more interesting plays. If someone asks you how work is, don’t say “fine” — or worse, “busy.” Tell them it’s good and follow up with, “You know, there’s one project in particular that you may find interesting.” If you’re doing the asking, take any opportunity to dive deeper. Use each question as a spring board to the next one. Eventually, you’ll hit on something substantial.

7. Getting in over your head

Of all the uncomfortable moments, getting in over your head is probably the one most worth pursuing. Sure, it’s a little scary , and there’s always the chance of failure, but nothing stretches you more or makes you more creative than having no idea what you’re doing.

So how do you put yourself in an over-your-head style situation? Raise your hand. When there’s a project no one wants, step up. When there’s a problem that has existed for years, have at it. Then break it down. Take big challenges and tackle them piece by piece. It may not always be fun, but you will almost always be better for the effort.

9. Promoting yourself

You only have to log on to LinkedIn to realise that there is a fine line between self-promotion and arrogance. Used in the wrong way, self-promotion can be a great way to massage your ego, but there’s also a way to promote yourself to the benefit of you and your company.

We are taught not to be overly self-promotional. We are encouraged to value the achievement rather than the accolades. But there trick here is to work out the difference. Not everything you do deserves broader attention. But some things do. In those cases, talking about them doesn’t make you an attention junkie, it makes you a good communicator. If the personal attention makes you uncomfortable, focus your advocacy on the work itself. Draw attention to the discovery, milestone or lessons uncovered by your effort. Your company will be better for it and you will too.

But this is really just the beginning. What will make me uncomfortable could be a walk in the park for you. Decide on what makes you uncomfortable and decide how to conquer your fears. You might just find that by doing so, you achieve some great successes at the same time.

This article was adapted from a blog, written by Meghan Keaney Anderson at Hubspot: https://thinkgrowth.org/15-uncomfortable-things-that-will-make-you-more-successful-a7a7788825ee

Five Tips to Work Smarter, Not Harder, in 2017

Five top tips for a productive 2017.

Here are some useful pointers to help you work smarter and not harder during 2017:

1) Create mental space at the start of the day

What’s the first thing many of us do as soon as we wake up? Or once we’ve found a (cramped) space on the train or bus for the daily commute? We grab our mobiles and check social media or the latest news.

Whether you commute to an office or work from home, create space in your mind at the start of the day for internal reflection on what you want to achieve.

Try and avoid getting caught up in the first thing that looks urgent or interesting, without really thinking about your broader priorities. Do nothing for 15 minutes, leave your phone switched off and give yourself some space to think high level.

2) Break regularly

Reflecting on how successful you’ve been on a task largely only happens when you’ve stopped doing it. Take regular breaks to reset your mind and give you some closure on your recent work. Although powering through can feel like you’re being more productive, your end result may end up being less successful.

Also, ensure you get at least 30 minutes for lunch. Give your mind some time off and avoid looking on your computer phone for the duration. When you return to your desk, you’ll feel far more refreshed.

3) Monotask

There aren’t many of us who are brilliant at multi-tasking. Although we might think we are great at doing many different things at the same time, our brains can’t cope with focussing on each task as a whole.

When our brain switches between lots of different focus points, we become tired and less productive. So, instead, try monotasking more often. Choose one thing to work on and do that thing for 60-90 minutes. Any longer and you may lose momentum.

Prioritise your tasks and reduce your stress by writing each task down first and working through them in order.

4) Manage interruptions

Anybody who has a mildly stressful or busy job will tell you that they’re often being pulled multiple directions on an hourly basis. How can you get anything done?!

Ringfence time for yourself and don't feel guilty for doing so. Turn off your notifications, and close down your email when you’re trying to finish off that important proposal. When you’re done, you can answer those emails that came through whilst you were busy.

Many of you may think this is unrealistic; you need to be available for your clients at all times, right? Not necessarily. Your clients don’t know where you are, or what you’re doing every minute of the day. They won’t expect you to reply immediately. Create your own ‘available’ times and let your clients know when they’ll receive the answer they require.

5) Look after your body

Clarity of mind is closely linked to the condition of your body. If you feel sub-optimal, you'll perform that way. You don't need to hit the gym every day; it's more about the small things. Go for a short walk on your break, even just to the local coffee house; it will get the blood flowing. We also underestimate the importance of oxygen and water.

Dehydration limits brain function, so keep a 1.5 litre bottle of water on your desk and finish it by the end of each day

Whatever your challenges in 2017, remember that everything is within your control. With a little discipline and dedication to managing your environment, you can make it the best year yet!

This post was based on an original idea by Urban Guru.