Hi….
We are so pleased you have contacted us up to learn how you can find your ‘dream job’.
Sometimes thinking of your career and what this may look like, can seem a daunting task, however, with the right amount of planning, finding your dream job might not be as hard as you think.
The team at Juice have put together our top 5 tips to get you started …
Do Your Research....
Juice has created 5 top tips for you to identify what you would love to do for your career…
1.Getting Started – What Is Important To You?
2.Find Out What You Would Like To Do
3.Start Networking
4.Obtain Experience
5.Decide Where You Would Like To Work
1. GETTING STARTED
Discover What Is Important To You?
Firstly, it is so important to understand what you love and what you are good at.
Do ask yourself the questions….
- What are your interests?
- What makes you feel excited and what are you passionate about?
- What are your ambitions?
- Where do you feel you excel?
- How could you transfer these skills into the working world?
The world of work is diverse, exciting and challenging.
With so many industry sectors and opportunities to choose from, you can put your skills and talents to
good use in just about any area you would like.
For people who want to combine their love for an area they are passionate about coupled with a career
where they know, they can make a real difference, choosing an area to focus on is key but how do you get started?
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FIND OUT WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO
Tackle this right from the start by deciding which area in particular you would like to aim for and then apply for those specific roles.
Find out what you’re good at, or passionate about, and then look for roles that coincide with those interests.
Not only will this mean you can tailor the experience you get to a specific job, but it will avoid any confusion and soul-searching on your part once the time comes to start applying
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START NETWORKING
It’s never too early to start making relevant connections.
Like so many industries, it is key to find a place where you can get your foot in the door and if you have a contact, you can call on for advice, or even for work experience, so much the better.
The more you develop contacts and your network, the more likely it’ll be that you find a job that suits you once you’re ready to start applying.
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OBTAIN EXPERIENCE
It can seem tough when it comes to finding your dream job. Entry-level roles can be quite rare, so before you start your job search, it’s imperative that you gain some experience in your chosen industry sector.
Whether this involves interning with a particular organisation or brand, working in a retail position or applying for an apprenticeship, any industry experience and knowledge will be of benefit.
You can also take a course if you really want to get ahead, though when choosing a course, you need to ensure you check what kind of links the course has with industry brands and firms and what kind of guest speakers you can expect to meet.
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DECIDE WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK…
Opportunities span the world, and some can be on your doorstep.
It is important that you decide how extensively you are willing to travel in your role (if at all) and tailor your job search accordingly.
A Winning CV...
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PRESENTATION IS KEY
A successful CV is always carefully and clearly presented.
The layout should always be clean and well structured.
The upper middle area of the first page is where the recruiter’s eye will naturally fall, so make sure you include your most important information there.
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STICK TO NO MORE THAN TWO PAGES OF A4
Employers will make a judgment about a CV with a quick glance, so it is important to ensure your CV is clear, concise, makes every point necessary and is no longer than two pages of A4 paper.
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UNDERSTAND THE JOB DESCRIPTION
The clues are in the job application, so read the details from start to finish. Take notes and create bullet points, highlighting all the pros and the cons.
With the areas where you’re lacking, fill in the blanks by adapting the skills you do have.
This will highlight those key skills and show any potential employers, how they are transferable.
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TAILOR YOUR CV TO THE ROLE
When you’ve established what the job entails and how you can match each requirement, create a CV specifically for that role.
Remember, there is no such thing as a generic CV. Every CV you send to a potential employee should be tailored to that role as a general CV will not make you stand out.
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MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SKILLS
When you’ve established what the job entails and how you can match each requirement, create a CV specifically for that role.
These could include: communication skills; com puter skills; team working; problem solving or even spea king a foreign language.
Skills can come out of the most unlikely places, so really think about what you’ve done to grow your own skills, ability and experience.
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MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR INTERESTS
It is important to highlight all the things that show off the skills you have gained and employers look for.
Describe any examples of positions of responsibility, working in a team or anything that shows you can use your own initiative.
Include anything that shows how diverse, interested and skilled you are.
Don’t necessarily include passive interests like watching TV or solitary hobbies.
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MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EXPERIENCE
Use positive language under the work history and experience sections, such as “developed”, “organised” or “achieved”.
Try to relate the skills you have learned to the job role you’re applying for
Do get to grips with the valuable skills and experience you have gained from past work positions – every little helps.
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INCLUDE REFERENCES
References should be from someone who has employed you in the past and can vouch for your skills and experience.
If you’ve never worked before you’re OK to use a teacher or tutor as a referee. Try to include two if you can.
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KEEP YOUR CV UPDATED
It’s crucial to review your CV on a regular basis and add any new skills or experience that’s missing
For example, if you’ve just done some volunteering or worked on a new project, make sure they’re on there – potential employers are always impressed with candidates who go the extra mile to boost their own skills and experience.
That All Important Covering Letter...
It is imperative that your CV shouts why you are so perfect for the role you are applying for but your covering letter is your first opportunity to make a positive impression.
We therefore suggest a few ideas to ensure your application will set you apart from the rest.
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Address your letter to someone specific…
Sending a letter ‘To Whom It May Concern’ or ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ will not stand out or interest the recipient.
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Let them know who you are…
Define yourself at the start of your letter. Are you an ‘Accountancy Graduate’ or ‘A Student with a Passion in Marketing’, or ‘An Apprentice with a Love of Engineering?’
Do esnure your application is relevent and eye catching to the person reading it so they are keen to learn more.
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Draw attention to your qualifications, experience and education…
Make reference to the qualifications/experience required for the role.
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Ensure you know the company…
Research any relevant information that might link to the advertised vacancy and mention the relevant point in your letter that will make you memorable.
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Ask for an interview or feedback…
It is always good to follow up in one way or another so perhaps call in 3 days, if you have not heard to gain feedback or ask for an interview.
Finally, always read and re-read your letter, checking for any mistakes, repeated words or spelling errors. Ask a friend or colleague to proof read too.
Build Your Own Brand...
HOW DO YOU LOOK?
If an individual conducted an online search for you, what would they find?
One of the first tasks a recruiter or employer will always do after looking at your CV, is to check your profiles on social media.
Be careful what you post and share!
Any photos of you out and about for example, ensure that your privacy settings are private as first impressions do count!
LinkedIn is an excellent platform for selling yourself professionally so do ask for recommendations from your past employers and peers.
TELL A STORY
Have you ever been put on the spot in an interview where you have no idea what to say? We’ve all been there!
Memorising a few stories of past experiences or highlighting your personal values is an excellent way to eliminate those awkward situations!
Having a few tales stored away in your pocket will help to keep any potential employer engaged and foster a relationship with you as a person and not just a candidate.
BE PERSISTENT!
If you know the company you want to work for, don’t be afraid to call them or send them your CV.
Not all roles are advertised online. If a potential employer has tried and failed to fill a position in-house, your CV may have come just at the right time!
Most employers also hold on to CVs, so if there is nothing available when you apply, it doesn’t mean that an opportunity won’t come up in the future.
MOST IMPORTANT… DO BE DIGITALLY SAVVY…
In today’s digital world, online presence is key and this is something you should keep in mind when it comes to your own social media profiles.
Your personal ‘branding’ online is important, as it might be reviewed by employers both before and during your interview process. Marketing yourself very often includes social media responsibilities, so personal channels might be checked out as potential ‘portfolios’ without you even being aware of it.
Cultivate your profiles by connecting with industry specialists and post industry related news to show your genuine interest in the industry.
How We Can Help...
If you are embarking on the world of work or looking to further your career in an industry sector, let a recruitment agency help you!
We thought we would highlight just a few of the ways one of our Consultants can help you find your next job.
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IT’S FREE
Letting us help you find a job is completely free of charge, no hidden fees. We get paid by the clients we partner with – never the candidates.
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A WEIGHT OFF YOUR SHOULDERS
Instead of spending countless hours on job boards and amending your CV / cover letter for each application, we will do the job for you. You will be put forward for suitable roles, but only after you’ve been briefed and confirmed your interest.
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WE ARE MARKET EXPERTS
In addition to multiple years in recruitment, the majority of our Consultants come from industry specialist backgrounds. We know exactly what our client’s requirements are, what salary you can push for with your experience and what the current market looks like within your field.
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WE HEAR ABOUT OPENINGS FIRST
As an agency we have built long-lasting relationships with the brands we partner with and are in constant communication with them. We are therefore often the first to hear about new openings and can help you get an interview before the job is even on the market!
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A MORE TAILORED AND EFFICIENT JOB SEARCH
You might feel productive if you apply to 20 jobs in a day, but if they are not relevant to your experience or unrealistic it’s a complete waste of your time. Our Consultants, on the other hand, will only put you forward for roles that are right for you.
To ensure we have a clear sense of who you are we aim to meet all our candidates face-to-face. We want to establish what your ambitions are, what sort of working environment you thrive in and what is important to you in your new role. At the end of that meeting, we are able to discuss and suggest specific roles with you.
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SUPPORT, GUIDANCE AND FEEDBACK
We will also support you and monitor your application on your behalf from the initial interview to potential employment. We will prepare you for interviews and strengthen your skills and we always ask the client for constructive feedback afterwards.
If your application is successful, we will help you negotiate your salary and benefits. We also follow up with you after your start date to ensure you are happy in your new role.
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AN ONGOING RELATIONSHIP
A recruitment agency doesn’t need to be a one-off support system. If we stay in touch, we can help when it’s time for your next career move. A tip is to add your Recruitment Consultant on LinkedIn to make it easy to get back in touch.
