Job search success guide

Change your job or career direction - successfully!

Job search - this is a journey, and people travel along this road for all sorts of reasons. The question is....... why are you looking for a new job or career direction?

job search discussion

Is it because you have to - you've got no choice in the matter because you've lost your job.

Possibly you have moved to a new area.  Or, it could be that you simply can't stand your current job for another day.

Perhaps you're just curious about what's out there - you know the saying "the grass is greener on the other side".  Are you perhaps one those people looking to make their next career move because you're working to a career plan?

Maybe you just know deep down that you are capable of doing more, of having a better job with better conditions and pay.   Or.....you know that there is more challenging or interesting work out there for you.

Like most people considering a job or career change, chances are you've already got a bit of an idea about how to go about it.  But..... before you start seriously applying for a job you figured you need a refresher from the web, to do some career change training in a few things related to job search.....and here you are!

Which brings us to the purpose of this website...... to coach you in the various tips, tricks and strategies for changing your job or career successfully. 

And....it will be the little things you do along the way which will make all the difference. I really want you know what these are - to help you make sure your job search efforts pay off.

Who is this website for?

This website will particularly suit you if you are already established in your career or job.

If this is you, please realise that you have advantages over people who have just started their working lives. The secret to managing your career successfully, which includes making career and job changes, is knowing what these advantages are and how to use them as you go forward in your career.

So that's what you'll find here among these pages - quality information, practical advice and guidance, and simple but effective hints and tips to help you to move forward to your next career or job opportunity. Think of using this site as a form of career change training.

Career newbies.....wait up - there's plenty here for you too!

If you are a new job seeker, or have just graduated from college or university and are looking to get started in your career take the time to explore the website.

young professional

I guarantee there will be hints and tips here that will make all the difference to your jobsearch.

Need convincing? Just look at the following questions:

  • Have you decided yet, for example, the type of job or career that you want? What do you know about the way the job market really operates?
  • Do you know how to promote yourself confidently?
  • Do you know what it is about you that you be promoting - do you know what employers want to know about you?

This website provides answers to these questions and more - so please look around.

How to get started on your job search

To identify your starting point, have a quick look at the following basic success steps.

Success tip 1 - Decide what type of career or job you are looking for

This might sound obvious.  But did you know that most people start their job search without having a clear direction or outcome in mind? 

As the Tin Man said in The Wizard of Oz  "If you don't know where you're going then it doesn't matter if you don't get there".

If you don't know what the next steps in your career are, or what sort of job to apply for, my strongest recommendation is.....  start working through the career choices section - it has key questions to help you identify your purpose and direction.

Success tip 2 - Understand how the employment market operates

Did you know that not all the work that's available is advertised? Professional recruitment agencies say that only 20-40% of the work available at any one time is advertised.

That means a whopping 60-80% of jobs out there won't be listed on a jobs board or in the employment section of your local newspaper - you'll only find out about these jobs through networking.

Knowing what your next job or career move is will help you to work out the best job search strategy - that is - where to look for work, and how to look for your next job.

There are plenty of ways to find work - some you will already know, but I'm sure you'll find ideas here that you hadn't considered.

If you have some career targets or goals then you are ready to take a closer look at the jobsearch strategies section.

If you don't have job search targets, start by identifying your career choices and options.

Success tip 3 - Polish up your skills in self promotion

Most people admit that they don't feel comfortable or confident in talking themselves up, or self promoting.

Maybe you're unsure about what to tell employers, and how to do it a way which doesn't make you sound like a big head!

 If this sounds like you then the good news is - you can improve your ability to confidently self promote.

A key question here though is - are you ready to self promote?

As any marketing expert will tell you, for your promotional messages to be effective they must be targeted to your audience.

If you have some reasonably firm job or career targets, or a least a general future direction in mind, then you're ready to start on preparing for your self marketing.

Go to the resume preparation section for some great tips about writing a resume, or the section how to prepare a great cover letter.

How do you self promote when you are in networking mode? - find out here.

What else do you need to know about job search?

Here's a check list:

Do I know:

Make sure you check out the links and resources page for access to more great information and resources that will:

  •  enhance your knowledge of how to job search
  • further develop your job searching skills
  • help you to develop the necessary success attitude and self belief that you can make a successful job or career change

Table of Contents

 How to be a career builder
A career builder is someone who makes really smart career choices. They do this by following a process for career planning. When their planning's done, job search becomes a whole lot easier, and more successful!

Making career choices
The career choices you make will drive your job search strategy. The key to changing careers successfully is to be absolutely clear about your options and preferences so that you can implement a targeted job search strategy.

Jobsearch strategies
This is the 'how to' of finding your next career or job opportunity. It covers where to look advertised jobs and and especially how to network so that you can access career and job opportunities in the hidden market.

How to Write a Resume
Learn how to write a resume step by step. This involves knowing what your purpose is, choosing the most appropriate style of resume and knowing what information to include and what to leave out.

How to write cover letters
Learn all the tricks the professionals use when writing cover letters. There are different types of job application letters, used for quite different purposes, learn what these are and how they can assist you in your job search.

Resume Helper
A place where you can ask questions about how to write a resume, or if you want to offer helpful resume maker suggestions and success stories.

Job search links & resources
The job search links and resources outlined on this page are recommended to you because they contain relevant job search advice, information and ideas that will assist you in making a career change.