Top job seeking strategies, University of Westminster Career Development Centre

1. Top Job Seeking
Strategies
Louise Bamford
Career Development Centre
careers@westminster.ac.uk

2. What will be covered
 Getting started
 Targeting companies
 Different routes into employment
 How to find and research jobs and
employers

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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. What’s out there?
 Large graduate recruiters
 Small and medium sized enterprises
 Private sector
 Public sector
 Voluntary sector
 Self-employment

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

9. 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

10.  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

11. 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

12. 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?

13. Networking
Who is in your network?
 Family and friends
 Clubs and associations
 Tutors and careers consultants
 Previous employers
 Professional associations
 Alumni associations

15. 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

16. 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.....

17. 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!

18. 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

19. Career Development Centre
Services
1-to-1
Guidance
E-Advice
Vacancies
& Events
Information
ResourcesVolunteering
Employer
Events
Talent Bank
Associates
In Schools
Mentoring

20. 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

21. Follow us on
facebook.com/uowcareers
twitter.com/uw_careers
blog.westminster.ac.uk/careers

22. Slides download from:
slideshare
www.slideshare.net/cdcwestminster
Evaluation
How did we do?