| These days most people accept that jobs are not | | | | achievements in each of your roles and the |
| for life anymore. People are more mobile and much | | | | timeframes you have been in the role. Provide all |
| more likely to change jobs every few years and | | | | contact details including phone number (land line and |
| even careers a number of times throughout their | | | | mobile), email and where possible a fax number. If |
| lives. And it is increasingly common that we may also | | | | you don't have a fax at home, find someone close |
| find that we need to change jobs because of | | | | to you i.e. local business and ask them if you can use |
| retrenchments, redundancies and closures. Having | | | | their number. |
| confidence in your skills and experience and your | | | | Get out. Become involved in local networks and |
| ability to deal with the challenges of starting over can | | | | community events. Investigate groups that meet |
| give you a greater sense of confidence about your | | | | regularly in your area and get involved. This is a great |
| career, and whatever life brings your way. | | | | way to meet new people, make new contacts and |
| Get support. Surround yourself with family and | | | | find out about jobs that are available close to home. |
| friends and let them know your situation. Stay in | | | | Mind your language. Avoid using negative words such |
| contact with those you care about and continue your | | | | as 'unemployed', 'on the dole' and 'I can't find a job' |
| usual social activities. Although you might not feel like | | | | and replace them with positive perspectives such as |
| it, now is not the time to avoid people or stop | | | | 'I will find a job suitable for me'. |
| socialising. Your support crew will help you to stay | | | | Stay well presented. It only takes seven-seconds to |
| motivated and positive and they'll keep their eyes | | | | make a first impression. Make the most of your |
| open for opportunities for you. | | | | seven-seconds by smiling when you greet someone. |
| It's not about you. Jobs, not people, are made | | | | Invest in a good suit, if you don't have one, borrow |
| redundant. Redundancy is now a common term and | | | | one for interviews; polish your shoes and ensure that |
| accepted as a part of modern working life. It's not a | | | | your hair is clean and tidy. It's easy to get out of the |
| reflection on you or anything you need to feel | | | | good-grooming habit when you don't have to do it |
| ashamed about. | | | | every day. Remember how important is it both to |
| Set up a HQ. Create an environment that it | | | | your self-esteem as well as to people's first |
| conducive to your job-search project. Set up a basic | | | | impression of you. |
| office at home that includes access to a phone, | | | | Stay motivated. Finding a new job is hard work; treat |
| stationary, postage supplies, computer and printer. If | | | | it as you would any work assignment - your fulltime |
| you have small children or pets keep them out of this | | | | job is finding a new role that you will enjoy. Just as |
| area and ask your children not to answer the phone | | | | with any job it can be frustrating and especially |
| while you are job searching. If you are basing | | | | disappointing when you receive 'rejection' letters. |
| yourself out of a job café or other facility, be | | | | Prepare yourself for the fact that you will receive |
| prepared. Make sure that you have the tools you | | | | these. They are not personal. Focus on keeping your |
| need to apply for jobs that appeal to you, including | | | | goals in your mind and remind yourself constantly |
| an up to date resume, referees and an email address. | | | | that there is a role out there just for you, it's only a |
| Create an up to date resume. Create a captivating | | | | matter of time until you find it. |
| covering letter. Provide a detailed description of the | | | | |