How To Find The Job You Want

Step 1: Staying motivated

Whether you're searching for a new job while you're unemployed or still in your old job, it's important to set achievable goals for your job hunt. Set aside a certain amount of time each day or week to spend on job hunting. A goal could be to send out two CVs a day, or phone five contacts a week for example.

When job hunting it can be easy to become discouraged if you keep getting negative responses.

Talk to family and friends about your search to help you stay motivated and positive. It can also be helpful to consult a careers adviser for information and ideas.

Your job hunt might take a long time, especially if you're still in a full time job while searching - so be prepared to keep trying.

Step 2: Your job hunt

There are many different places to look for jobs, such as employment agencies and newspaper ads.

The internet is also a huge resource for job hunters, with most recruitment agencies now having some kind of website. However, in many industries the best way to hear about jobs is through word of mouth. When exploring your career options, talk to as many people as you can. Use your network of family and friends to gather information, and remember that networking is not something that's just done at stuffy business events.
How you present yourself and market yourself is extremely important when you're jobhunting. Think of your CV as a sales tool which you're using to sell yourself to your prospective employer. It's a good idea to customise your CV and make it as specific as possible to the job you're applying for, rather than making a generic CV that you send to hundreds of employers. Also, make sure you are well prepared and properly dressed for interviews - this is your chance to make a really good impression. For advice on CV writing and job interviews, watch VideoJug's other careers films.

Step 3: The new job

When you're offered a new job, make sure you consider all the factors involved, such as the salary, perks and the distance you'll have to travel. If you're entering a salary negotiation, make sure you're well prepared and can back up your reasons for requesting the salary you want. Watch VideoJug's film 'How To Negotiate Your Salary For A New Job' for more advice.

And once you've found the job you want, give yourself a big pat on the back! Enjoy your new job!