My CV went out months ago and to be honest I had forgotten all about the position I had applied for, as per normal if you haven't heard anything within four weeks then you should presume that you haven't made it through to the next round or to an interview, but to my shock I not only got an e-mail but a phonecall to ask me to attend an interview, and much more of a shock I was given the reason for delay.
Although I have now gone on to set up my own business the thought of a long-term semi secure job still appeals to me also the fact that the job sounds incredibly challenging but exciting I jumped at the chance of seeing if what I have preached comes true, well so far I have made it through to the next round, this is the big test as instead of a sub-contracted interview this one will be with the true client, and I'm sure will have even more stringent questions or solutions for me to solve within the structure of the interview.
Going back to me setting up my own business, and why it's a waiting game over the last few weeks I have strived to get my business out there in the public eye, starting with handing out business cards then having an article in the local press published which was then taken up by the national press, I must confess it was a shock to see my mug in the broad sheet papers but I thought this would have my phone ringing off the hook, sadly this has not been the case, I am confident that the publicity has helped but resigned to the fact that I will just have to wait, on both the next interview and the business, remember it's takes time and patients to find work and trust me it really won't come to you, unless you work for it. so wish me luck as I wish the same to you.
Monday 8 November 2010
Friday 5 November 2010
get your foot in the door
Your CV is not the only way to get your foot in the door.
Most jobs that are advertised in the media or through agencies, want a CV then a specific covering letter. This makes hunting for a job a full time career in it's self, so not only do you have to trawl through endless list's of vacancies, most of which will only be there because the law say's companies must advertise them before they give someone who works within the company get's it,( just like the air and travel industry,) it's not what you know it's WHO you know, I have heard first hand from ex colleagues that have tried to get in to airport work and failed miserably, as the vacancy that they or more than qualified for has actually long gone to the brother or family member of someone already working for that airport.
So how do you get your foot in the door when you don't know a family member working at the same place advertising your dream job, well I have heard a couple of ways mentioned over the last few months, one way is to keep phoning up the company HR department and try and get a rapport going, start by saying you are not actually looking for work you just want information on the company and it's products, two go on-line and find out who the department bosses are and see if you can phone them and ask them about the company and its products or even ethical environment policies, and thirdly just write a letter to the boss asking if they think think the company will be recruiting in the near future, most will either hang up and refuse to answer questions or simply throw your letter straight in the bin, but you never know some may just think if you are that cheeky you may be worth a second look and ask you for that specific CV.
There is the secret job market and that works along the same way so go out there and give it a go, if you never try you will never know, getting your foot through the door often means you have to be a lot pushy as nothing in civvi street is given to you on a plate, take a leaf from the Romans book and seize the day.
Most jobs that are advertised in the media or through agencies, want a CV then a specific covering letter. This makes hunting for a job a full time career in it's self, so not only do you have to trawl through endless list's of vacancies, most of which will only be there because the law say's companies must advertise them before they give someone who works within the company get's it,( just like the air and travel industry,) it's not what you know it's WHO you know, I have heard first hand from ex colleagues that have tried to get in to airport work and failed miserably, as the vacancy that they or more than qualified for has actually long gone to the brother or family member of someone already working for that airport.
So how do you get your foot in the door when you don't know a family member working at the same place advertising your dream job, well I have heard a couple of ways mentioned over the last few months, one way is to keep phoning up the company HR department and try and get a rapport going, start by saying you are not actually looking for work you just want information on the company and it's products, two go on-line and find out who the department bosses are and see if you can phone them and ask them about the company and its products or even ethical environment policies, and thirdly just write a letter to the boss asking if they think think the company will be recruiting in the near future, most will either hang up and refuse to answer questions or simply throw your letter straight in the bin, but you never know some may just think if you are that cheeky you may be worth a second look and ask you for that specific CV.
There is the secret job market and that works along the same way so go out there and give it a go, if you never try you will never know, getting your foot through the door often means you have to be a lot pushy as nothing in civvi street is given to you on a plate, take a leaf from the Romans book and seize the day.
Monday 1 November 2010
get to know yourself
Having spent so many years in the RAF, being told on occasion what I could talk about, and who I could say it too I.E. the civil press, admittedly not as bad until I was embedded with the army, I find it liberating that I can type and say within reason and under the official secrets act pretty much what I like.
This inter net is a wonderful tool, not only to get things off your chest when having a rant but getting help finding out information.
I have struggled in the past working out where I wanted to take my life. Once I wanted nothing more than to be a police officer, then a spaceman and then a pilot, then I joined the RAF and wanted to be mechanic, but found at the time of recruitment I either didn't have the qualifications or the positions did not exist so I was given a career that looking back on now, have only one regret and that is that it ended too soon.
My trade allowed me to work as a member of team and be an independent person when solving problem loads, but still only allowed to work within very strict rules and still to do as I was told, this left me feeling very frustrated, and as I did not always agree with what I being told to do, I sought ways to get promoted in fact literately banging on my bosses desk demanding to know what I needed to do to get to the next level, at one point going out of my way to find a different method of doing something to get me noticed and eventually becoming the man who gave orders, I can see why something's are done the way they are and that's true when it comes to your CV, There are guides around to help you write the perfect CV and get it noticed.
But first it's time to start to think about what you want to be and that means don't let you CV trap you in to your past when you should be looking to your future, just because you cooked for your service doesn't mean you have to stay a chef, "unless it's really what you want to", I thought I wanted to stay in logistics, working with cargo has it's rewards for one it doesn't complain or argue, but I realised that I was in my comfort zone and the future needed to fit my dreams. I had sat a test and then was told what trade I was going to be when I joined up, but in civvi street there is no magic wand or person there to wipe your nose, however there are plenty of books and on-line questionnaires show ways in which to find your way and write your CV.
Remember you have been learning skills all your life so don't just write your CV on the ones you learned in the services, but never forget those you did use i'm sure some of you either have or are going to assist in cadet summer camps or outward bound activities others may do mountain rescue scouts and girl guides to name but a few, they all involve responsibility and management and in some cases a lot of organisation skills, also like me, you have given briefings or sit reps to management on tasks or projects you have been involved with, some of you will have written 6 monthly and annual assessments on your troops, (a job I hated, but you can't develop someone if they don't know how they are doing).
How many of you have been involved or organised something for Help For Heroes so that means you have handled cash again the list is not exhaustive so have a look.
Lastly you can gain skills from your hobbies which can very easily be passed on onto an employer, sometimes country pursuits such as horse riding fishing or even clay shooting gives civvi employers an area they can assess how you mix and get on with people at their level.
This inter net is a wonderful tool, not only to get things off your chest when having a rant but getting help finding out information.
I have struggled in the past working out where I wanted to take my life. Once I wanted nothing more than to be a police officer, then a spaceman and then a pilot, then I joined the RAF and wanted to be mechanic, but found at the time of recruitment I either didn't have the qualifications or the positions did not exist so I was given a career that looking back on now, have only one regret and that is that it ended too soon.
My trade allowed me to work as a member of team and be an independent person when solving problem loads, but still only allowed to work within very strict rules and still to do as I was told, this left me feeling very frustrated, and as I did not always agree with what I being told to do, I sought ways to get promoted in fact literately banging on my bosses desk demanding to know what I needed to do to get to the next level, at one point going out of my way to find a different method of doing something to get me noticed and eventually becoming the man who gave orders, I can see why something's are done the way they are and that's true when it comes to your CV, There are guides around to help you write the perfect CV and get it noticed.
But first it's time to start to think about what you want to be and that means don't let you CV trap you in to your past when you should be looking to your future, just because you cooked for your service doesn't mean you have to stay a chef, "unless it's really what you want to", I thought I wanted to stay in logistics, working with cargo has it's rewards for one it doesn't complain or argue, but I realised that I was in my comfort zone and the future needed to fit my dreams. I had sat a test and then was told what trade I was going to be when I joined up, but in civvi street there is no magic wand or person there to wipe your nose, however there are plenty of books and on-line questionnaires show ways in which to find your way and write your CV.
Remember you have been learning skills all your life so don't just write your CV on the ones you learned in the services, but never forget those you did use i'm sure some of you either have or are going to assist in cadet summer camps or outward bound activities others may do mountain rescue scouts and girl guides to name but a few, they all involve responsibility and management and in some cases a lot of organisation skills, also like me, you have given briefings or sit reps to management on tasks or projects you have been involved with, some of you will have written 6 monthly and annual assessments on your troops, (a job I hated, but you can't develop someone if they don't know how they are doing).
How many of you have been involved or organised something for Help For Heroes so that means you have handled cash again the list is not exhaustive so have a look.
Lastly you can gain skills from your hobbies which can very easily be passed on onto an employer, sometimes country pursuits such as horse riding fishing or even clay shooting gives civvi employers an area they can assess how you mix and get on with people at their level.
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