Networking

Advertised jobs are the tip of the iceberg of available opportunities. To increase your chances of landing a role you really want, exploit the unadvertised job market:

 

  • Ask family, colleagues, ex-colleagues, alumni, lecturers for leads
  • Follow up, mentioning the contact who gave you the lead
  • Send speculative letters that present you as a solution to a problem
  • Secondments, shadowing and committee work increase your marketability
  • Cultivate external clients to leverage at a later date

 

Online networking

With so many people using Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to advance their career, you need to stand out from the crowd:

 

  • Use the sites’ on-line CV builders to pitch your skills and experience
  • Include key words relevant to your role and industry in your profile and CV
  • Activate testimonials - a powerful endorsement of your abilities
  • Add a professional looking photo
  • Contribute articles, advice and opinion on relevant forums to raise your visibility
  • Don’t put anything on the net that could undermine your credibility