Career & Life Planning

Career Planning Program

Guide to

“Leaving Unemployment & Adapting to Employment”

Welcome from the Author

On behalf of Career & Life Planning I would like to welcome you to

our Jobseeker Support Program Overview.

We believe this program will quickly improve your ability to;

Leave Unemployment

&

Adapt to Employment

Our Job Seeker Support Program is designed to equip you with the

necessary skills that employers are looking for and provide you

with excellent resources and trainers that help you transition from unemployment to employment.

In this program, the needs of unemployed people are addressed in two ways;

Activation and Conversion

By focusing on integrated and relevant training with participants, we offer you the opportunity to

further develop your skills in specific areas and where suitable, offer participants dedicated

conversion courses and work placement in areas of employment potential.

We aim to best equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to move you closer to employment

and look forward to partnering with you along your journey.

Best wishes for future.

Joe Delaney

Owner

Career & Life Planning

Introduction

Career & Life Planning is a highly professional coaching and training company. The company

specialises in working with individuals in helping them move away from employment and further to

employment using a series of steps.

The company mission statement is;

“We believe our processes, techniques and support systems enable individuals to perform to their

best in their professional and personal lives jointly”

Career & Life Planning has offices nationally and has developed a coaching program that helps

people navigate through unemployment and move you closer to employment.

"The 5 Steps to Success" program has been used by numerous individuals to regain employment

quickly and the steps are listed below. They are;

Cope

Adapt

Improve

Maintain

Enjoy

The program ensures participants can cope with their present situation and adapt different skills to

deal with it. From there, a plan is designed in conjunction with each person so that they can start to

identify what areas they need to improve on. Once they have identified the steps to take, a series of

supports helps them along the away so that they can begin to start enjoying themselves personally

and professionally again.

Each participant on the career coaching programs is given access to secure personalised training

and mentoring support program that enables you to use all the tools available to assist you in your

career plan.

Career & Life Plannings Job Seeker Support Program utilises “15 strategies” that will help you

move faster into the next area of your career; placement, training, employment or start your own

business. A personal career program is designed with each participant and is managed by a

qualified mentor who has experience in working with individuals who are unemployed.

5 Steps to Success

This process that has been developed by Career & Life Planning can be applied to many situations

where individuals feel stressed or have to deal with change.

Our research form working with many individuals found that during unemployment, people

experience many different emotions and with the constant wave of negativity surrounding the

economic conditions, they can often lose focus on what they can control.

The process helps you to clearly navigate where you are at and introduces you to tools and

techniques that can help you further develop your skills to Cope Better, Adapt Quicker, Improve

Performance, Maintain It and Enjoy yourself, personally and professionally.

How it Works

It allows each client to understand there is a plan to move from their present situation to an improved

quality of life, personally and professionally.

It gives them comfort to know the stage they are in, how they got there and how they need to cope

better with that situation, adopt new ways of thinking and behaviour so they can start to improve their

performance, maintain that level and regain enjoyment in their lives.

This is presently down using Google Drive as a shared resource between client and coach but is a

manual system.

5 Steps to Success

Self-Awareness

Strategy

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Networking

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Research

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Alumni

strategy

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Interview

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Past

employer

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Referral

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Event

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Offline

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Volunteering

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Social

Networking

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Hidden Job

Market

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Online Job

Board

Strategy ____________

15 Strategies to Employment

Each of these strategies is critically important in your ability to get noticed in today’s cluttered job environment

Identifying barriers that exist in each area and putting plans in place to overcome them are critical to being successful. Interviews are getting harder to get and competition for places is at a premium. You must be very well prepared! Ensure you are confidence in each of the above strategies so that you can climb the next step in your career ladder.

Self-Awareness

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Networking

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Research

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Alumni

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Interview

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Past

employer

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Referral

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Event

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Offline

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Volunteering

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Social

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Hidden Job

Market

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Online Job

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Self-Awareness Strategy

Create your mission statement for yourself for the rest of the year

“I want to keep focused on taking small steps to help me improve my ability to get noticed, perform well at interviews and learn new skills while I’m looking for my next job” Or “Develop another set of skills that will benefit my career and allow me to look back at my performance and recognise what I achieved”

Look at yourself from the other side of the table

o What do other people see online, on your CV, Cover Letter etc?

o What’s the objective of your CV? o Does it accurately reflect where you can add

value to the employer or tell them where you have worked and what you have done?

o Do you really know what are the key points that the interviewer is looking for you to solve?

o This is a constant issue for people to deal with.

What are you prepared to change in order to get it?

o More time for Critical Thinking o Identification of barriers impeding your

performance o More Planning for personal goals o More focused career planning o More networking o More willing to open my mind to different

possibilities o Change my habits of job searching, doing

my job better o Persist & Resist

Self-Awareness

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Networking

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Research

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Alumni

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Interview

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Past

employer

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Referral

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Event

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Offline

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Volunteering

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Social

Networking

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

Board

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CV Strategy Where does my CV go when I email it?

o To the Hiring Manager o Jobs Mailbox o Recruitment Software o To HR o Recruiter o Someone else

Where ever it goes, it has got to stimulate a

Positive response! No excuses.

Stimulate a Positive Response

o Understand what you are. (Product Definition) o Understand where you can add value to what the

company is looking for (Value Add) o Create a communication plan by utilising the

information you have researched about the company and role locally (Research)

o Identify who is the person making the decision and advise them where and how you can add value to their organisation (Go-To-Market Plan)

The HABIT of a Good CV

Personal Details

Personal Profile

Education & Training

Work History including

Achievements Computer Skills

Personal Interests & Achievements

References

Self-Awareness

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Networking

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Research

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Alumni

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Interview

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employer

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Referral

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Event

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Offline

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Volunteering

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Social

Networking

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

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Recruiters Strategy

To be successful in the long run, the recruiter needs to build healthy relationships with you – as well as other candidates – and with the employers who pay for the recruiter’s services.

These relationships are fostered by open and honest, two-way communication.

With that in mind, remember these five key guidelines

whenever you work with a recruiter:

o Think of your recruiter as your new manager. o Build your relationship on trust and good

communication o Continually follow up with your recruiter on their, and

your, progress. o Cooperation is critical. o Consider the glass half-full

How to work effectively with recruiters? o Professional & Honest o If not right for you personally or professionally, call it

soon. o Be selective – ask friends who they would recommend o DO NOT blast your emailed CV to hundreds of

unknown recruiters. o DO NOT expect immediate results, it’s all about GOOD

TIMING o DO NOT pester a recruiter – it will only result in being

blocked out. o DO ask about the recruiter’s specialty and level of

candidates they place? o DO ask about other recruiters who work within your

discipline and industry. o Important: Know your professional objective – YOUR

IDEAL JOB! o DO know what recruiters and companies have your CV o DO offer to meet with the recruiter. o DO ask how often the recruiter wants you check in with

them? o Ask them, what way can you help them make more

money? o What do you have to change in order to accomplish

that?

Self-Awareness

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Networking

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Research

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Alumni

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Interview

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employer

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Referral

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Event

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Offline

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Volunteering

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Social

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

Board

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Networking Strategy What is networking?

“the exchange of information or services among individuals,

groups, or institutions; specifically : the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business”

Why Network?

o Do your current job better o Manage “Stakeholders” better o Personal Development o Planning for Future

How to Network?

o What is my networking objective o What is your pitch to people – rehearse it

and know it o Visualise what your network is o What do have to offer each group in your

network o Skills Gap Analysis o Plan to overcome gaps and do it. o Bring friends / family with you to

networking events o Get Face time in front of people – deliver

key message o Never have lunch/coffee alone

Principles of Networking

o Exploring Career Fields o Finding Job Leads o Building Your Career o Throw a Wide Net

STAY IN TOUCH

o Send a thank you note/email o Keep your contacts informed of your

progress o And remember that networking is a

mutually beneficial process!!

Self-Awareness

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Networking

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Alumni

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Referral

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Offline

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Volunteering

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

Board

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Research Strategy

Use offline and online sources

Ask friends/family/contacts for referrals that can help

Understand as much as you can get through a variety of sources

Not doing this demonstrates a lack of resourcefulness

Impress them with local information – anyone can look up google

Look up competitors sites

Think like a detective – if he or she doesn’t get the answer from one source, they will continue to use various other sources to get the facts of the case

Drive to site before interview and speak with some employees if you have to

Be creative - demonstrates you have put the time into planning your next career move

Research Strategies

o Website – Google News/Yahoo Finance o Financial Journals/Press o CRO o LinkedIn – Google blogs/discussion boards/threads o Recruitment Consultants: o Start with the job description o Know the interviewers – get the scoop o Read the small print o Watch the news o Get on the phone o What does your agency know?

Self-Awareness

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Research

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Offline

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Volunteering

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

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Alumni Strategy

• Get to know to the careers officers

• Ask them for other resources / events that are being held

locally. Offer them your help if required

• Register to get updates about guest speakers

• Use Linked In and other internal sources to research alumni.

• Know their details on the course they took, year

graduated etc

• Have a plan as to what you want from them

• Be appreciative and thankful for their time

• Join Alumni club online or via Linked In

Self-Awareness

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Networking

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Research

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Volunteering

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

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Interview Strategy

Question..?

What’s your objective from an interview? To get a job or sell myself

Perhaps these goals may be better options to consider? o Explain yourself better than you have done in your

last interview? o Show them where you have added value in the past

and where you will add value to them o Understand more about the company and culture? o Demonstrate better attitude

Competency Techniques o STAR Approach (Situation; Task; Action; Result) o CAR Approach (Context; Action; Result) o K.I.S.S Approach (Keep, Interview, Skills, Sharp) o Structure and Practice - Key to Success

Key Interview Competencies Required o Teamwork o Responsibility o Decision Making o Communication o Leadership o Commitment to Career o Commercial Awareness o Persuasiveness o Career Motivation

Overview o Demonstrate your skills / experience in a structured

way. o Allow employers to measure your responses to

selected questions using past performance o More frequent as a means of understanding your

individual personality traits

Self-Awareness

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Networking

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Research

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Alumni

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Volunteering

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

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Past Employer Strategy

• Job seekers need to utilise every resource at their

disposal if they want to get ahead with their careers.

• Past employers, old co-workers can help

• Since there’s already the foundation of a solid relationship (having worked together in the past) these ex-employees have the advantage of personal connections, work history, and one foot in the door.

• Asking for a job in your old company may not be the best

move, however, asking them for referrals or getting to meet them for a coffee can often help lead to new possibilities

• If you have up skilled since you last worked there, tell

them what you have done and what skills you now have since being there.

• This will help them give a better understanding to others

that they may speak to.

• Depending on how that conversation goes, offering to help out in a project capacity may lead to discussions around a new job for you

Self-Awareness

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Networking

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Research

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Alumni

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Volunteering

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

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Referral Strategy

“Referrals are the #1 source of hires in corporate America. And for good reason. Research shows that 'referral' hires not only stay longer in their jobs but perform better over the long term. Anytime you can get your application tagged as 'referral', your chances of getting to an interview sky rocket. And getting this designation is easier than you think... often times a phone call or email to HR or the hiring manager is all it takes.“ Chris Forman, CEO, StartWire

Types of Referral Strategy o Employee Referrals

o Agency Referrals

o Past Employer Referrals / Recommendations

o Asking previous contacts for specific names that they

would recommend you to

o You get seen by relevant people in new company

o Instant credibility

o Demonstrated performance

Self-Awareness

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Research

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Volunteering

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

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Event Strategy

• Numerous events - some free – provide excellent

opportunities for networking • City & County Enterprise Boards, Chamber of

Commerce Networking Groups, Skillnets, ICBE, etc

• CPD events from your profession and related professions are also an excellent way of getting your brand/name out there

• At least 65 (some report even higher statistics) of all jobs

are found by networking

• www.inou.ie is a good resource too.

Self-Awareness

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Volunteering

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

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Offline Strategy

• Reading local papers and job adverts including

classifieds (even papers in different counties) can help you spot a company or person that does not have an online presence. It’s your Job to get yourself in their Lin of Sight/Line of Vision.

• Listen to local radio

• Pick up the phone. Pick it up again. Persistence is key

• Talk to develop rapport with whoever

• Work with recruiters

• Ask for recommendations, advice and introductions.

• Go to a lot of coffee meetings and informational interviews.

• Make a list of companies you’d like to work for – use

online tools to connect with those you may know and then get talking to them

• Stop judging your progress by the number of online job

applications / CV’s you have sent

• Instead, monitor your progress based on how many meetings you set up.

• Go to a lot of events whether they are networking events

or not

• Ask everyone you meet a lot of questions about themselves and what they do.

• You’ll also learn a lot of things about a lot of industries

by talking to people.

• Don’t say “I need a job” when you are engaging in these offline activities. Rather, ask them about their job.

• Be sure to stay in touch-even if it’s online

Self-Awareness Strategy

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Volunteering

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

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Volunteering Strategy

• Helping others in need through volunteering,

while hopefully helping themselves by gaining

career experience, contacts or job leads.

• In targeting volunteer opportunities, pick ones

that will help you also

• Align yourself to charities that some companies

you are targeting sponsor

• Use www.activelink.ie;

www.communityexchange.ie and

www.volunteerlimerick.ie as examples

• Be sure to include this work in your CV

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

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Social Networking Strategy

• Meaning of “Friend” has changed for ever • Its positive and has lots of benefits • Its also easy to get ignored quickly and discreetly • Its the same as it always was – who you know. • People do business with people • Networking objectives and strategy must stay the same • Social Media can be very distracting • Twitter:

o Getting connected with people outside your network o Pace yourself o Try getting into a routine of updating at least once

2x a week o Search for and join in on relevant conversations of

interest to you • LinkedIn:

o Find people at specific companies/recruiters o Fill in as much as you are comfortable with on your

profile o Find and join groups that interest you o Personalise your invitations to connect o Acknowledge those who want to connect with you

• Facebook: o I don’t know remember all my friends from past o Want to meet people with shared interests o Search for industry events and find 1-2 you can

attend o If comfortable, a good profile photo helps to

humanize you o When you join a group, leave a small note to

introduce yourself

SOCIAL NETWORKING – THE BOTTOM LINE

• Recruiters are promoting jobs and looking for candidates on social networks

• Employers are looking for candidates (and hiring!) • A lack of social network presence may hurt your

credibility and may negatively impact your visibility to employers

• Candidates are vetted according to their social media profiles and content they produce

• Participate, but be careful what you say • Networking objectives and strategy remain the same

Self-Awareness

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Recruiters

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Alumni

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

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Hidden Job Market Strategy

The Hidden Job Market o It’s not enormous but it’s bigger than you think o Your competition doesn’t get a chance to get in ahead of

you o You have to have something of interest to your target o You can’t target the HJM without a plan of your own! o Persist and Resist

Job Seeker Questions Get a page and put a big circle on it o Ideally how far would you like to commute on a daily

basis? o How many companies, both multinational, not for profit

and indigenous are in that area? o How many of these companies have your cv on file that

tells them what you did in your last role? o How many of companies in your target area know what

skills you can offer them and how you can add value to them?

o How effective have you been in identifying what your brand or product is and creating strategies that will get you to market, quicker than the person next to you?

o How well prepared are you to convince someone that you are better than the person next to you?

o How well informed are you about what is going on in that company that is of interest to you?

Making a conscious decision that you can be in control of where you want to go is a positive force in determining your

future potential

Self-Awareness

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CV Strategy

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Recruiters

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Alumni

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Volunteering

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Hidden Job

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Online Job

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Online Job Board Strategy

Recruitment Websites

o Irish Jobs.ie o Recruit Ireland o Indeed.ie o Monster.ie o Jobs.ie o Simplyhired.ie o Linked In o Smaller agency websites may not be advertising jobs on main

boards

Training and up skilling resources Available to you

o ICBE LEADER Programme

o TÚS Back to Work Allowance o Family Resource Centres Local Resource Centre o MABS Offices Libraries o Citizens Information / Advice Downtowncentre.ie o City & County Enterprise Boards VEC Offices

o Activelink.ie Community Exchange.ie

o Galway Rural Development Local Councillors / Politicians

o Linked In Discussions Local Colleges, Private & Public

o Department of Enterprise & Trade http://www.inou.ie/

Self-Awareness

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Recruiters

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Hidden Job

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Final Point

“Be way better at your entire search, network and communications plan than the person sitting next

to you”