KEY questions related to employment and managing staff.

Q: How can I develop an effective job search strategy?

A: PLANNING and organisation are vital to an effective job search and you need to be methodical in your approach. Identify your target employers and relevant sources of vacancies. For example newspapers:

  • Specialist – such as Fleet NewsNet aimed at specific professions, containing vacancies for employers throughout the UK.
  • National – certain publications specialise in advertising vacancies for certain professions – which publication focuses on your chosen career?
  • Local – specific vacancies may be advertised on certain days. Get to know which day the jobs you are interested in are advertised. A new company opening in your area may be a source of vacancies.

    Other sources for finding vacancies can include the internet, employment agencies, job centre, networking – use your contacts for vacancies before they are advertised.

    Try speculative letters and CVs – some books include useful contacts for specific employers but ensure the information is up-to-date.

    Don’t send out thousands of speculative CVs – a few quality applications are more effective. Keep an action plan of when and who you contacted and any follow-up action which is required.

    Alison Taylor
    Lifelong learning adviser Learndirect advice line