Where should you start your job search? 7 practical tips for your career.
1. Define your career goal
“I am looking for a job” is a broad statement. Decide which role, field and working conditions you want.
Write down three things:
- The roles and fields that interest you;
- The knowledge and skills you can use;
- The conditions that matter to you: working hours, location and salary expectations.
For example, rather than saying “I want an office job”, say “I am looking for a customer service role where I can use my communication skills.” This gives your search a clearer direction.
2. Prepare your Career Portfolio carefully
When preparing your Career Portfolio, read it from the perspective of an employer meeting you for the first time. Does it give a clear picture of your education, experience and skills?
Keep the information up to date, check your contact details and describe your experience in specific terms. Alongside your job title, explain what you actually did.
If you are looking for your first job, you can include internships, volunteering, course projects and personal work as relevant experience. What matters is presenting your work and your role in it honestly.
3. Show your skills through examples
Add specific examples to statements such as “I am responsible” and “I work well in a team”. What task did you complete? What were you responsible for? What was the result?
For example, instead of “I have worked with social media”, you could write:
“I prepared a monthly content plan, organised the publication of posts and responded to user enquiries.”
If you describe results with numbers, use only figures you can substantiate. When sharing work samples, protect confidential information belonging to previous employers and clients.
4. Read the vacancy before applying
Before applying, carefully review the responsibilities and requirements. Identify which of your skills match the role and highlight them in your introduction.
If an additional application statement is required, briefly explain your relevant experience instead of using generic phrases. If the advert asks for a particular document or work sample, remember to include it.
5. Prepare specific examples for the interview
Learn about the company, reread the vacancy and choose relevant examples from your experience. You can structure an answer in this order: situation, task, action and result.
Prepare your own questions for the interview:
- What results are expected during the first few months in this role?
- How is the team’s work organised?
- What criteria are used to assess an employee’s performance?
Before an online interview, check your internet connection, microphone and camera.
6. Choose one skill to develop
Note the requirements that appear frequently in vacancies that interest you. Then make a small plan for one skill you need to develop.
For example, if Excel knowledge is required, aim to learn the main functions and prepare a sample report within a week. Apply what you learn in a practical task and add it to your relevant work samples.
7. Track your applications
Record which company and role you applied to, and when. Keep interview dates, responses and next steps in one place.
A rejection is not a final judgement on all your skills. If possible, ask for feedback and consider what you could present more clearly in your next application.