Find your way back to work
Jobcoach: five steps to help you get back to work
Searching for work is not just about looking for jobs. You also need to look at yourself in the right way and think about what you can do differently to ‘fine tune’ your job seeking skills.
Whether you’ve just started looking for work, or have been looking for a little while, it’s useful to think about what you can do differently when searching for work. This could be finding new ways of re-selling your experience to a new employer, looking for jobs more regularly or just keeping in touch with your friends.
Here are five top tips to help you improve your job seeking techniques and think about yourself and your abilities in different ways.
On this page:
1. Plan your job hunting carefully
It’s important that you look for jobs regularly, as new jobs are appearing every day. Prepare a plan of where and when you’re going to look for work and stick to it. Make a note of the jobs you have applied for, or employers you’ve approached, and the responses you received. It’s worth remembering that the more applications you make, the higher your chances are of getting an interview and job.
Planning your job hunting – find out more
2. Broaden the area in which you look for jobs
Widen your job search by considering how far you could realistically travel in a day, taking into account travel time and costs. This will give you an idea of which surrounding areas you could work in, and should increase your chances of finding a job.
3. Make the most of your skills - or get new ones!
If you can’t find a job like your old one, it’s a good idea to consider other types of jobs that match your skills instead. Knowing the range of skills you have and how you can apply these to other jobs can widen your job search and increase your chances of finding work.
Identify your existing skills and how to make the most of them by following the links below.
- Skills and interest assessment (Careers Advice) Opens new window
- Getting a job that makes the most of your skills
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been out of work, brushing up on existing skills or getting training to learn new ones can give you a major advantage and get you noticed by employers.
Find out more about the training and help available.
4. Learn how to ‘sell’ yourself to potential employers
In today’s job market it’s important that you stand out from the rest. You can do this by:
- checking the quality of your applications - is each one presentable and in the right format?
- tailoring your CV or application form to show how your skills and experience match the particular job you’re applying for
- keeping applications short, to the point and easy to read
- preparing for interviews – think about how you’re getting there and what questions you might get asked, and brush up on your communication skills
- getting feedback from employers to find out what went well or what you could do differently in your next application or interview
It’s worth bearing in mind that not all employers acknowledge application forms, so do not take it personally if you don’t get a reply.
- Help and advice when applying for jobs
- Use the free Careers Service CV Builder Opens new window
- Learn how to dress right for interviews
5. Stay positive and well for work
It’s important that you look after yourself and keep busy while you’re looking for work. You may even want to consider getting involved in voluntary work to brush up on your skills or learn new ones.
Follow the link below to get tips on how to stay healthy and remain positive while looking for work.
Staying positive and well for work
