How to get your ideal job
We spend too much time at work not to be happy there.
Believe me – I’ve had jobs I didn’t like with colleagues I didn’t respect in industries I didn’t care about.
It gets you nowhere.
It’s always possible to change your work situation. If not overnight, then, in a reasonable timeframe.
In this section, I set out my recommended approach to job applications, CV writing, and interviews. Feel free to use and apply this advice and either let me know how you get on or ask for more detail on any of it.
My approach to CV writing, interview techniques, job applications, and professional social media is what I like to call ‘the marketing approach’. It is about representing yourself in such a way that the employer recognises what they are looking for in you. If you’d like to learn more about the approach for each crucial part of the job acquisition process, click the buttons below.
How to get a job
There are no secrets. The employer tells you what they are looking for. The Person Specification needs to be your guide. Be sceptical of any advice that deviates from communicating what you have to offer in relation to that criteria.
Job skills that you need
The skills you need are listed on the Person Specification. Whatever is on there is what you should be trying to convey.
So, reflect on each experience you have had in work, voluntary roles, positions of responsibility, education, and anything in which you made a positive contribution. What examples can you give that demonstrate your ability in relation to the Person Specification?
The job application process
The specific way of applying for a job can vary a little from one employer to another but it will usually involve these common stages:
- Initial application. You will express your interest in an advertised job by way of an application. This might be a CV, application form, some other written communication like an email, or direct contact such as a phone call.
- Initial screening. This stage may be skipped but it’s common if there is a third party like a recruitment consultancy involved or for high-volume roles. The employer or their representative may speak to you to run through the expectations of the job, ensure you understand what is expected, and that you have the requisite essential skills.
- Interview(s). One or more interviews to assess your suitability for the advertised role.
- Job offer, negotiation, and contracting.
At each of these stages, there are things you can do to increase your chances of gaining a suitable offer. You can, of course, also decide to withdraw your application, if the information you receive makes clear that it is not your ideal role.
What if you don’t have the required skills and experience?
It depends on how essential those skills are to the employer.
If they have been stated as ‘desirable’ then you should certainly not be put off applying for a role where you meet all of the ‘essential’ criteria. It might be that not many others do or that you are stronger on those criteria. Likewise, if you meet most of the criteria, you should apply if you are sufficiently interested in the job. I have known cases where people have been offered jobs despite clearly not meeting some of the criteria. This makes sense if there is a long list. They may not be able to assess you against all of them – they will prioritise. But, don’t bank on being chosen in these cases.
In some cases, if you don’t have the required skills or experiences, you should develop them. If you don’t meet the criteria, you should find ways to meet them. This won’t be an overnight thing, but it will be worth it.
There has never been a better time for access to good quality online learning. Some of it is free and some is low cost. You have to see this as an investment in your future. All learning is useful.
Once you are clear on which of the criteria you meet, it’s just a case of communicating that in an application form or CV.
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