An overview of a range of strategies you can employ in your job search.

1. Bite-sized Careers Talks 2017:
Job Seeking Strategies
John McMenamin
Careers Consultant
Career Development Centre

2. Objectives
This session will help you to:
– Identify and find potential employers
– Explore different ways of making contact with
those employers in order to access the hidden
jobs they may have
– Assess and focus your job search strategy

3. Getting started
– What job do I want?
– What have I got to offer?
– What jobs are out there?

4. The value of networking
Advertisements/websites
Recruitment agencies
Professional organisations
Networking/Word of mouth
Contacts from existing staff
Internal promotion or lateral moveEmployers
recruit this way
Most people look
for jobs this way

5. Targeting companies
– Business activity
– Size
– Training
– Prospects
– Culture
– Travel
– Location
– Salary
– Benefits
– Security

6. 75%
Iceberg principle
The open
job market
Advertised
posts
The hidden
Job market
Direct
approaches
Networking
25%

7. Open job market
– Internet
– Engage
– Company websites
– Job sites
– Social media – LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter
– Recruitment agencies
– Recruitment fairs
– Local and national press
– Job centre Plus

8. Finding the hidden jobs
– Networking – conventional & social media
– Informational interviewing
– Work (experience), temping and volunteering
– Speculative applications - in writing
– Cold calling - in person, by phone

9. Networking
– Family, friends, fellow students
– Clubs and associations
– Tutors and careers consultants
– Previous employers
– Professional associations
– Alumni Association

10. Social networking
Linkedin, facebook, twitter:
– Establish contact with professionals you have
recently met
– Research or follow specific companies/people
– Identify industry trends
But take care over your online profile.
http://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-
advice/social-media-and-job-hunting/

11. Informational interviewing
– When you find someone who knows about a field
or occupation
– Ask for a short interview / chat – 10 minutes
– This is not JOB SEARCH – it is RESEARCH

12. Making the most of
informational interviews
– Imagine the conversation is with your hero and you want
their opinion on something. Offer an open question (who,
what, why, how) but don’t interrogate them.
– Some questions you might ask
– How did you get started in your business?
– What’s the best thing about your job?
– What’s the worst thing about your job?
– What advice would you give to someone just starting out
in the industry?
– What do you see as the coming trends in your business?
– Listen to what they are saying and ask follow-up
questions that occur to you. “Interesting… so why…?”

13. Benefits of networking / interviewing
– What employers are looking for?
– Information about specific companies
– Industry trends, challenges and opportunities
– Job hunting advice
– Expand your network – add them on LinkedIn!
– Possible experience / work opportunities – if the
interaction goes well, try your luck by asking if
there is a possibility of work shadowing

14. Networking/informational
interviewing exercise
– On the back of your action plan – write “ME” in the middle
of the page
– Pick one of the jobs that you’d like. Who do you know
who might be able to help you with finding information
about the job and potential vacancies?

15. Networking exercise
– I want to become a writer
Self-published his own book which
did quite wellTony
(Uncle)
Theresa
(Neighbour)
Works for a local
publisher
Jenny
(Zumba)
Part of a local
writer’s group
Matthew
(Brother)
Julie
(Friend)
Published author
Sumi
(Colleague)
Nigel
(ex colleague)
Now works for a
literary agent
Mark
(Her husband)
Plays squash with an
Account manager at
Hodder & Stoughton
As you start chasing leads, you can add to it. Note: The above is just an
exploration of an immediate network of friends and family and does not include
contact through groups (alumni association, professional bodies), social media
(linkedin) or ‘warm’ leads to working as a writer at work / at university.
ME

16. Speculative approaches
– Identify possible companies via:
- word of mouth / networking
- newspapers / online business news
- online communities
- professional bodies
– Identify relevant contact via:
- cold calling (phone or in person)
- linkedin/twitter

17. Speculative applications
– Research the company / roles
– Target 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
– Keep a record of all activity - follow-up

18. Your action plan
– What are you aiming for?
(Your career goals)
– What is your current situation?
(Job hunting activities underway)
– What actions will you take?
(Specific action steps with target dates)

19.  Access services and resources
 book appointments
 book yourself in for events
 find and view vacancies
 find work placements
 view employers
 view careers information
 download resources
 complete online forms
 ask a question
engage.westminster.ac.uk

21. Career Development Centre Services
1-to-1
Guidance
E-Advice
Vacancies
& Events
Information
Resources
Volunteering
Talent Bank
Mentoring

22. Career Development Centre Services
Engage – engage.westminster.ac.uk
 Online appointments, vacancies and events system
 Includes an enormous range of additional resources
on Engage Plus including job search
Information and advice on
 CVs, Covering letters and application forms
Resources
 Guides, general and sector specific publications
Face-to-face advice and guidance – bookable via Engage
 20 minute quick query session
 45 minute in-depth individual guidance or mock interview session

23. In summary
– Know what you have to offer and what you want
– Know what’s out there
– Develop your network
– Plan your campaign
– Review it regularly
....and, if you need help, seek advice and
guidance

24. Contact us
Cavendish House
1st Floor
101 New Cavendish Street
100 metres from Cavendish Campus
T: 020 7911 5184
E: careers@westminster.ac.uk
engage.westminster.ac.uk