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