Essential Job SEARCH GuidE

Essential GuidE SERiES

“All I’ve ever wanted was an honest week’s pay for an honest day’s work.”Steve Martin

Essential Job Search Guide 2

What’s inside…

Essential Job Search Guide What’s inside… | 3

deciding your career direction

To find your ideal job, it’s critical to map out exactly what you’re looking for and how you can get there. Having a clear idea of what you want will give focus to your job search and ensure you’re applying for the right roles.

Here are some fundamental questions to get you thinking about your career direction:

dECidinG youR CAREERdirection

Essential Job Search Guide Deciding Your Career Direction | 4

wHAt ARE My kEy SkillS?

wHERE do i wAnt to Go?

wHA

t do

i RE

Al

ly wAnt?

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CAREER

ACTION PLAN

dECidinG wHAt you wAnt• What motivates me and what do I enjoy doing?

• What are my personal strengths and weaknesses?

• What kind of lifestyle do I want to have?

• What are the five key things I really want in a job?

idEntifyinG youR SkillS• What qualifications and experience do I have?

• What are my key technical and soft skills?

• What are my biggest achievements to date?

• What are my weaknesses and areas for development?

CHooSinG A diRECtion • Which industries really appeal to me?

• What type of roles would suit me best?

• Do these options match my skills and attributes?

• What areas will I need to develop?

MAkE it HAppEn Now that you have a better idea of your career direction, it’s time to put your career goals into a practical action plan.

Essential Job Search Guide Deciding Your Career Direction | 5

What are my key skills?

Where do I Want to go?

Wha

t do

I re

al

ly Want?

sharpening your cv

foCuSEd on ACHiEvEMEntS• Avoid listing your daily workload. Instead,

focus on the unique accomplishments that make you stand out

• Show how you contributed to the organisation; did you save money or time, exceed targets, solve problems, improve processes, or attract new customers?

• Where possible, quantify how you added value with numbers, percentages or dollar amounts.

MAtCHEd to tHE Job dESCRiption• Show a clear match between your skills and the job requirements

• Demonstrate how you meet the key skills, experience and attributes the employer is looking for

• Emphasise your most relevant strengths and eliminate details that are unrelated to the position

• Use similar key words to those used in the job description, to create a link in the mind of the reader.

• Research suggests that employer’s scan job applications within about

20 seconds, so it’s important to show them at a glance why you are the best fit

CoMpEllinG REAdinG• Ensure the tone is enthusiastic, upbeat

and professional

• Put your strongest and most relevant points first, using action words such as ‘completed’, ‘developed’ and ‘managed’

• Present your accomplishments honestly but confidently using high impact words like ‘first’, ‘best’ and ‘highest’

• Keep the layout of your resume simple with lots of white space, bulleted information and a plain, readable font.

• Three or four pages are usually sufficient, so choose clear, concise language.

Essential Job Search Guide Sharpening Your CV | 6

A Cv iS youR pERSonAl MARkEtinG doCuMEnt. For the best chance of selling your skills and abilities to a potential employer, ensure it is:

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GEt tHE StRuCtuRE RiGHt StEp 1: Centre your contact details at the top of your resume. Include your name, address, phone number, mobile number and email address

StEp 2: List the relevant education and training that you have undertaken, starting with your most recent studies

StEp 3: Outline your career history in reverse chronological order. List your job title, name of the employer, a short description of the company (if appropriate), and the dates you worked there

StEp 4: For each role, outline your key responsibilities, skills and accomplishments

StEp 5: End your resume by naming your referees, or stating that they are available on request

umRes

e

wHy CovER lEttERS Still CountA concise and compelling cover letter is your chance to:

• Create a strong first impression and attract the reader’s attention

• Stand out by explaining why you make the best fit for the job

• Express your personality by describing your strengths in your own words

• Show enthusiasm for the opportunity through your tone and wording

• Demonstrate how your skills match the needs of the employer

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Essential Job Search Guide Sharpening Your CV | 7

making the most of your search

MAkinG tHE MoSt of youR job SEARCH

How to bEGin youR Job SEARCH When looking for a new role, the key is to work smarter,

not harder. Here are some easy ways to kick off your job search and maximise your chances of finding a great role:

Find a good recruiter By working closely with a good recruitment consultancy, you can gain access to new opportunities before they’re advertised, and take advantage of expert career advice.

Set up job alerts Leading recruitment company sites and major

job boards have hundreds of opportunities to search through. Register with these sites to have relevant jobs

sent to your inbox daily.

Scan relevant publications Scan relevant trade publications and e-newsletters for the latest roles. Newspapers are also a good source of

current vacancies.

Enlist the help of your network Talk to friends, family, colleagues – anyone you know that

could keep an ‘eye out’ for opportunities, introduce you to new contacts, and provide referrals.

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iS tHE Job RiGHt foR you?

top 5 Job SEARCH tipS1. For the best chance of finding a job, keep your options open, consider a variety of roles, and have a degree of flexibility around salary expectations.

Be Flexible

2. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to find the right role. Even if you’re not ready to move yet, start browsing the type of jobs available, including the skills required and salaries on offer.

Start Looking Now

3. As well as polishing your CV, you should make a list of the companies, job types and salary you are looking for, and register with recruitment consultancies that specialise in your job type and market.

Get Prepared

4. Think about the skills and experience required for your next role. Determine what you can do now to boost your appeal with potential employers.

5. Mingling with peers at industry events and professional associations is a great way to gather job leads and build your reputation as a well-connected professional.

Build Your Network

Increase Your Employability

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doES tHE RolE:• Seem compatible with your attitude,

beliefs and personality?

• Make use of your key strengths and attributes?

• Provide scope to gain new skills and knowledge?

• Offer clear prospects for career development?

doES tHE CoMpAny:• Offer a clear and attractive career path?

• Have company values that align with your own?

• Have a strong financial standing with high quality leadership?

• Offer a salary that rewards your skills and experience?

• Offer conditions that are important to you? (e.g. flexible work arrangements)

We know searching for the ideal job can be challenging, however there are a few tips and tricks to help you find the job you are looking for more easily.

Do your research. Once you know the industry or type of job you want to do, it’s a good idea to list what you already know about this sector and also the information you would like to find out. Think about the companies you would like to work for and find out more about them. This is

great preparation for your job search and it gives you a solid starting point.

Use your personal networks & job searching resources. We know you’re busy so make use of online tools to help you find the job you are looking for. Have job alerts sent to your inbox so you don’t miss jobs of interest, complete an online profile so employers can find you too and be active with your personal networks – they are a great source of hidden opportunity!

Our final advice is - stay positive. We know job seeking can be tough, disheartening and often takes longer than anticipated. So charge ahead with a smile on your face – you’ll get there eventually and the ‘seeking’ experience will be better for it in the end....

www.seek.co.nz

“We know searching for the ideal job can be challenging, however there are a few tips and tricks to help you find the job you are looking for more easily...”

Essential Job Search Guide Making The Most Of Your Job Search | 10

by Helen Souness Marketing Director at SEEK

building your online brand

Your online profile creates an image of you to a prospective employer, so it is critical to make a good impression on anyone who discovers you online during your job search.

HERE’S How you CAn HElp build youR pRofESSionAl onlinE pRESEnCE: Become an active member of industry associations, both online and offline

Contribute valuable advice to questions posted on relevant forums or discussion groups

Share thought provoking articles and resources with your social network

Get involved with respected online forums for your industry

Make sure your social networking profiles are optimised and up to date

Join relevant industry groups online and participate in discussions

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buildinG youR onlinE brand

• Research from LinkedIn indicates that people are

30% more likely

to connect to you if you have a photo on your profile...

• Social networking sites rank highly in

Google search results. To help control your online profile, ensure you have high quality social media profiles.

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Want more info on managing your online reputation?

Comment with care

Every word you post online is permanent, so be aware of the impression your photos, comments, emails, tweets and updates are making to potential employers.

Adjust your privacy settings

Most photo-sharing and social networking sites allow you to restrict who can view and comment on your content. Check your privacy settings to ensure your personal content is hidden from prying eyes.

Monitor the comments of others

Unflattering photos or unintentionally harmful content may be posted about you by others, so be sure to monitor and remove items that should not be made public.

Determine public vs. private content

If you are using social media for both personal (family/friends) and professional (networking with colleagues) purposes, ensure what you share is appropriate for both groups.

Search for your name

Google yourself regularly to ensure all search results are positive and professional.

protectING your oNlINe reputatIoN

the interview

tHE

interviewARE you pREpAREd?To convince the interviewer you’re the best person for the job, preparation is vital. Follow these tips to impress your potential employer during that critical first meeting.

• Understand the role

Re-read the job advert and position description. Think about what you are likely to be asked about the role, as well as what questions you’d like to have answered.

• Research, then research some more

Research everything you can about your prospective employer through their website, company reports and press coverage. Use this knowledge to demonstrate initiative and boost your credibility with the interviewer.

• Practice, practice, practice

You’ve heard the saying – if you fail to prepare, prepare to fail! The most critical step in interview preparation is taking the time to rehearse answers to common questions.

• Know your strengths

The interview is your opportunity to show what you’ve done, and what you can do. Think about how you can sell yourself with concrete, convincing examples of what makes you special.

• Ask the right questions

Asking intelligent questions is a tactic guaranteed to impress your interviewer. It also demonstrates your initiative, knowledge and research.

Essential Job Search Guide The Interview | 13

MAkinG A GREAt iMpRESSionNo matter how compelling you appear on paper, it’s the impression you make in person that’s the deciding factor.

When interviewing people with similar skills and experience, the candidate with the best attitude and most enthusiasm for the role will always come out on top.

• Be there on time Being punctual shows professionalism and

enthusiasm. Give yourself plenty of travel time in case you are delayed, and aim to arrive about 10 minutes early.

• Get dressed for success To convey that you are serious about the

role and would be a good representative for the company, be sure to dress neatly, professionally and relatively conservative.

• Beat the nerves Even the most seasoned professional can

get interview nerves. The best you can do is prepare thoroughly, think positively and focus your energy on giving the best interview you can.

• Greet with confidence First impressions count! Greet your

interviewer standing, with a firm handshake, good eye contact and a smile.

• Watch your delivery Actions speak louder than words, so ensure

your body language (tone, eye contact, posture) is positive. Try to convey genuine enthusiasm, warmth and professionalism.

• End on a positive note Close the interview with a handshake, a

smile and a genuine thank you. A brief, friendly email thanking the interviewer for their time is a nice touch.

- and show it!

RemembeR to get excited

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“To really impress a potential employer, make sure you stand out as the most prepared candidate…”

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No matter how impressive your CV appears, the interview is your chance to sell your skills, experience and personality so there’s no doubt that you’re the best person for the job.

Whilst every person has different strengths and skill sets, there are three key qualities that will help you to stand out from your competition:

Professionalism. Employers hire people they can trust to represent their business in a professional way. Professionalism is communicated through your punctuality, choice of dress, and the way you interact with the interviewer.

Ensure you conduct yourself professionally throughout all stages of the interview process, and be sure to deliver responses that are well-considered and articulate.

Preparation. It may sound obvious, but it’s an area that many job seekers could improve in. Employers want to be impressed by your knowledge of the company. They want to see you’ve made the effort to find out about their culture, the products and services they offer and their position in the market. They want you to ask thoughtful, intelligent questions and deliver smart, polished answers. To really impress a potential employer,

make sure you stand out as the most prepared candidate.

Passion. Employers want people who are excited to come to work each day. They want to see an eagerness to learn and grow, a strong work ethic, and a positive attitude to work. Whilst any number of candidates could bring the right skills and experience to a company, the final hiring decision is often determined by how much you want the job. For the best chance of winning your ideal role, let your enthusiasm for the opportunity shine through.

Good luck!

www.michaelpage.co.nz

by phillip Guest Regional Managing Director at Michael Page

getting what your worth

bEfoRE you StARt nEGotiAtinG youR nEw SAlARy, it’S CRitiCAl to do youR HoMEwoRk.

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How strong is the CoMpAny?Take the time to research the financial performance of the company, its recent staff movements and industry conditions. This will help you to better understand the company’s position and anticipate potential objections when negotiating your salary.

For the best chance of a successful negotiation you must have a clear idea of what your skills and experience are worth and be prepared to ask for what you want.

What’s the bEnCHMARk? Scan similar jobs on the internet to find out the average range for your sector, location and experience. You can also leverage the knowledge of your industry colleagues for advice on what people are earning in similar positions.

What do the ExpERtS SAy? Speak to your recruitment consultant for expert advice on what your particular skills and experience are worth. They match jobseekers with new roles daily, so will have a good idea of what you could earn in the current market.

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CAn you AnSwER tHE touGH quEStionS?Great negotiation skills come with practice. Enlist the help of your recruitment consultant to practice answering these tough questions with confidence:

Can you hold youR GRound?Employers respect applicants who are hard but fair negotiators. Having the confidence to negotiate well for yourself shows the employer that you could bring these skills to the role. Avoid reacting emotionally to the discussion - treat it as a regular business negotiation.

Who talks fiRSt?Always wait for your interviewer to raise the topic of salary negotiation first. You’re in the best position to talk dollars and cents when the employer has offered you the job, is hopeful of employing you and has suggested a figure first.

What’s your bACk up plAn?Good negotiators will enter a meeting with a range of options. If the opportunity to negotiate salary is limited, think about other potential alternatives like support for education and training, flexible hours, or a salary review in 6 to 12 months.

What is your current salary?

What do you think the position is worth?

What are your salary expectations?

career action plan

Essential Job Search Guide Deciding Your Career Direction | Appendix

CAREER ACTION PLAN

Sample CV

Essential Job Search Guide Sharpening Your CV | Appendix

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1 Contact information Always include your telephone number, email address and residential address.

2 Education Be specific about your education. Include your university, the course you completed and date of graduation.

5 Languages Language skills are important so include your abilities in this area.

4 Computer skills Computer skills are important and you should definitely indicate your proficiency.

3 Professional qualifications State your professional qualifications together with the date of your qualifications and any awards received.

SAMPLE RESUME

JOHN SMITH PERSONAL DETAILS

RESIDENCE 191 Queen Street, Auckland H: + 64 9 354 8100 W: + 64 9 354 8101 E: mpage@email.co.nz

EDUCATION National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) – 2002 Kapiti College, Paraparaumu, Wellington

Bachelor of Business – 2005 (Major: Accounting, graduated with credit) Massey University

PROFESSIONAL CA – 2008 QUALIFICATIONS ACA – 2011

COMPUTER SKILLS Conversant with: • Excel • Symphony • MS Access • Word

LANGUAGES Mandarin – Fluent spoken and written

LEISURE INTERESTS Water sports and music, particularly jazz

CURRENT POSITION Recruitment Consultant Michael Page International New Zealand Pty Ltd

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Essential Job Search Guide Sharpening Your CV | Appendix

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6 Company description Describe your current employer concisely, i.e. size, market sector, turnover if applicable, as this informs the reader and gives them a frame of reference.

7 Position Display your most recent job first and then work chronologically backwards (using months and years in the dates) giving less space to earlier jobs. Since space will be at a premium your objective must be to inform and excite the reader.

8 Responsibilities and achievements Whenever possible, include the experience relevant to a particular job and always quantify your responsibilities and achievements so that employers can quickly identify how you can add value to their business.

References References do not have to appear on the resume, although be prepared to provide references on request. It is a good idea to state that you have business references available.

SAMPLE RESUME

JOHN SMITH CAREER HISTORYJANUARY 2008 TO PRESENT MICHAEL PAGE INTERNATIONAL (MPI) NEW ZEALAND PTY LTD

COMPANY DESCRIPTION Michael Page International Pty Ltd is a $500m turnover recruitment consultancy with offices in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the UK, Europe and the Americas.

POSITION Recruitment Manager (promoted from Recruitment Consultant)

RESPONSIBILITIES • Managing a team of six recruiters • Developing consultants skills • Successfully managing a substantial Preferred Supplier Agreement

with one of China’s largest blue chips and increased market share by 17% in 2009

• Offering a business-to-business service based on providing recruitment solutions to ensure the best possible match between a candidate and client. This covers both the technical abilities of the candidate and those required by the client.

• Assessing candidate’s abilities and personality using behavioural-based interview techniques

• Initiating a plan of action (specific jobs, client etc) • Maintaining constant contact to ensure service levels are maximised • Developing existing client relationships via regular calls, client

events and provision of information such as salary surveys etc. • Face-to-face meetings to gain a better understanding of the clients’

workplaces and promote Michael Page • Providing recruitment strategies and service that will exceed both

candidate and client expectations

Reason for leaving – relocating to Fiji where there is no current Michael Page office.

FEBRUARY 2006 TO SEPTEMBER 2008 ARTHUR WILLIAMS & PARTNERS

COMPANY DESCRIPTION Arthur Williams & Partners is a medium-sized firm of chartered accountants with five offices across Asia Pacific. It has a diversified client base, including public companies, private companies, sole traders and partnerships.

POSITION Audit Manager (promoted from Trainee)

RESPONSIBILITIES • Planning, controlling and reviewing audit and related tax work on three public company clients, prior to partner review

• Planning and competing accounts, audit and taxation work on a variety of private groups in industries such as manufacturing, retail and agriculture

• Involvement in due diligence work prior to an acquisition by a public company client

• Considerable involvement in the recruitment of graduates into the firm whilst at Assistant Manager level

• Direct supervision of up to eight members of staff • Full client liaison, including billing and cash collection

Reason for leaving – Decided to pursue a career in commerce

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Essential Job Search Guide Office Locations | Appendix

MiCHAEl pAGEFor more career tips and insights, visit:

AuCklAndLevel 17 191 Queen Street Auckland, New Zealand Tel + 64 9 354 8100 Fax + 64 9 354 8101 enquiries@michaelpage.co.nz