Getting Jobs in Today's Difficult Market

Jan 20 2011 By Mary Barabe

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It is a recognised fact that times are tough. Money is short, inflation is high and jobs are scarce. So if you are one of the many looking for a new employment opportunity, you need to be ahead of the game when it comes to your job search. You need much more than a willingness to work; you need to know where to look for the best job for you.

As the recent talking appliance ads from Total Jobs have shown us, getting the job you always dreamed of is much more than luck. A good recruitment website is certainly going to help you on your way, but you can also take advantage of recruitment agencies and newspapers.

Figures released recently from the National Office of Statistics have shown that in the three months leading up to October 2010, there was a 7.9 per cent increase in unemployment. This was a 0.1 per cent increase on the previous quarter and was the first such increase since April 2010. This means that at that point, there were 35,000 more people unemployed than there were in the previous three months. In total the unemployment rate at that time was 2.5 million. This means an awful lot of competition in the jobs market and unfortunately it is a figure which may not come down quickly. So how do you set yourself apart from everyone else and find the job that is best for you?

Using an online jobs site is a great way to start your job hunting journey. Not only will they offer good advice on how to present yourself, prepare a good CV and make the right impression, they can give you great information on the types of jobs available in your area.

The ability to search for a job from your home, in your own time and in your own area, takes away many of the time constraints which hampered job searches in the past. For example if you are looking for construction jobs in the Buckinghamshire region, you can input your preferred sector and location and be presented with a relevant list of vacancies.

In addition to online job sites you should also ensure that recruitment agencies have your details. These organisations can be invaluable in your search for a job as they will conduct an interview with you and will be able to accurately assess your suitability for a job. They will also offer advice on how to conduct yourself in an interview. Many recruitment agencies also have online portals, which mean you can apply for their positions without having to visit the agency at all.

Many jobs are still advertised in newspapers and in this case you will need to take a different approach. Usually you will be expected to send in your CV and a good covering letter. Having a well prepared CV and a template for a well written cover letter is essential.

You can get these templates online and these will help you in your preparation, but don't be afraid to set yourself apart by adding in some personality. Adding a photo to a CV is a great way to keep it memorable.

Always get another person to check your CV and covering letter. Whether you are applying for jobs in London or other nearby areas, the same premise applies. An employer will immediately be put off by anything which is poorly laid out, with spelling mistakes or with poor grammar.

There are more jobs out there than you may expect and finding them will be easier if you take advantage of the options available to you. Whether you find it online, via a recruitment company or in the newspaper, your dream job may be waiting for you just around the corner.