Job Seekers’ Essentialsadlstudyzone.com/jobseeker/resources/jobseekers-guide.pdfStrategic job hunting tips A Little Strategy… 1. Realise no one owes you 2. Realise job-hunting

copyright 2014 Academy for Distance Learning - [email protected] - www.adlonlinecourses.com

JOB SEEKERS’ GUIDE - AN ACADEMY FOR DISTANCE LEARNING HELP GUIDE

Job Seekers’ Essentials



A 6-STEP PLANOur Job Seekers’ Essentials Guide is a brief summary of some of the techniques needed to tackle the task of job hunting in a practical and organised manner.

The information contained in these pages is intended as a guide only. The advice offered has been formulated from experience in the real world, over many years, and is relevant to today’s trends.

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”(Alexander Graham Bell, eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone)



STEP 1

YOU NEED A STRATEGYIf you are seeking employment or already have a job and want to change careers, it is essential to begin with a strategy so that your goal may be achieved as rapidly as possible. There are hundreds of books written on this subject. To save you the strain of wading through all these books, ADL has done the spadework for you and condensed it down to this one publication:

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE? - by Richard Nelson Bolles

The book talks about the 5 worst ways of looking for work (sadly, the majority of us follow this path), before highlighting the 5 best ways of finding work in the shortest possible time. It will provide you with the necessary knowledge to formulate a strategy, while motivating you in your job search. The book also contains a chapter for those who wish to be self-employed, and advises on how to determine whether your business venture will be successful or not, before you embark on it. It is so inspirational that after reading it, you will probably want to run for Prime Minister/President! Over 8 million copies have been sold worldwide and most libraries have a copy. The book can even be downloaded Online and has its own website at: http://www.jobhuntersbible.com

“Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.” (James B Conant – American Educator & Scientist)

Strategic job hunting tips

A Little Strategy…

1. Realise no one owes you2. Realise job-hunting success is equal to the effort put in3. Realise you may have to change tactics4. Talk to people who have found work5. Think of your personal presentation - is it appropriate for the field: haircut? shave? smart shoes?6. Spend equal time looking for a job each day, as you might spend doing a job 7. Be prepared, mentally and financially8. Ignore your previous job title & focus on the title that your prospective employer has advertised 9. Make the most of what you have to hand - is your answer-phone message repre-senting you appropriately? Is your social media profile up-to-date? 10. Don’t be afraid to ask questions 11. Look for companies with 20 or less employees 12. Work out who the right person is to help you in the company and meet them13. Read - keep up to date in your field 14. Think about where you’d like to be in the future - have you followed your passions as well as the job you’ve been doing for years? Remember, you can do what you love!15. Sign up for: About.me / Twitter.com / Facebook.com and LinkedIn.com. Tweet us at @adlhomestudy and send us any questions16. Persistence, persistence, persistence!



STEP 2

COMPUTER LITERACY

After you have read What Color Is Your Parachute? and decided on a strategy, the next essential step is to become computer literate. By that we mean knowledge of keyboard and basic word-processing skills: i.e. Windows, web-searching, emailing, etc. Everyday jobs now require a limited amount of computer knowledge. Once the basics have been mastered the other computer programmes become very easy to understand. If you have a fear of computers, don’t worry. They are very easy to use today!

“The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.” (Edward Gibbon 1776 – first great English historian)

Today, email, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn are the communications strategies of the day. It’s essential you understand the opportunity that the web presents you to connect with companies and individuals.

You don’t even have to have a computer to do this today!

Many, if not most of what used to be thought of as desk-based tasks, can be achieved by way of a ‘smartphone’ (iPhone or the like) or a tablet/eReader.

CONSIDER YOUR PROFESSIONAL PROFILE ON THESE SITES:

• LinkedIn• Facebook• About.Me• Twitter• Tumblr



STEP 3

CV/RÉSUMÉ PREPARATIONA well-prepared CV/résumé is essential. It will add to your confidence and improve your self-esteem. If anyone tells you there is a formula for writing the perfect CV, then think again. A CV that may appeal to one employer may not appeal to another. Always bear this in mind.

Although there are no hard and fast rules, there are some basic points that always need to be kept in mind: e.g. no longer than two pages if possible, and no employment history beyond 12 to 15 years.

“The secret of success is constancy to purpose.” (Benjamin Disraeli 1870 – British Prime Minister)

Five key concepts for CVs

1 - It’s your marketing tool, not a personnel document

2 – It’s about you the job seeker, not just about the jobs you’ve held

3 - It focuses on your future, not just your past

4 - It details your accomplishments, not just your past duties or job descriptions

5 - It describes the skills you enjoy using



STEP 4

FINDING WORKDon’t knock voluntary work. Voluntary work is a sure way of getting the attention of a prospective employer The percentage of volunteers who find jobs by offering their services on a voluntary basis, is very high. Offering your services voluntarily allows employers to see your potential without incurring any cost to them, and, at the same time, allows you an opportunity to see whether they are the type of organisation you wish to spend your time with.

There is only one secret in finding job vacancies: use every method you can. Don’t ever make the mistake of assuming the only vacancies are the ones advertised in newspapers. Large numbers of jobs are filled without being advertised. So you need to become a detective - the more you look, the more job vacancies you will find; the more you find, the better your chances are of finding the right job for you.

Where to look for jobs: Yellow Pages & online local web-boards (e.g: Gumtree and Craig’s list), newspapers, job websites, shop windows and don’t forget to look at the local job centre (both website and in-house).

“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” (John Wooden – American basketball player & coach)

HOW TO LOOK FOR JOBS:

• Become your own Public Relations Officer - SELL YOUR SKILLS• Approach employers DIRECT, by walking in cold, or by phone, and remember to leave your CV -

not everyone can do this, but, if you can make the effort, it does pay dividends• Spread the word amongst your friends, relatives and former workmates that you are looking for

a job. TELL EVERYONE you meet. NETWORKING is the key• Sign up with employment agencies• Practise interview techniques. Look at every interview as a chance to improve

DO YOUR RESEARCH

• Know your best, most transferable skills• Know what kind of work you want to do and what field you would most enjoy working in• Talk to people who are doing the work you want to do. Find out how they like the work, how

they found their job• Do some research, in your chosen geographical area, on the kind of organisations which interest

you, to find out what they do, and what kinds of problems/challenges they or their industry are wrestling with

• Identify and seek out the person who actually has the power to hire you for the job you want. Use your personal contacts – everyone you know – to get in to see him or her

• Show this person with the power to hire you, how you can help the company solve its problems or meet its needs/challenges and how you would stand out as one employee in a hundred

• Don’t take rejection personally. Remember, there are two kinds of employers out there: those who will be deterred by your limitations, background, inexperience, etc; and those who won’t be and will hire you - so long as you can do the job. If you get rejected by the first kind of employer, keep persevering until you find the second

• In all of this, cut no corners and take no short cuts



STEP 5

MAKE THE MOST OF THE WEB!To date, there are over 200 million LinkedIn members in over 200 countries and territories. Richard Nelson Bolles refers to it as ‘ “the Swiss army knife” of job-sites…a multi-tool’. Yet how many people actually make the most of LinkedIn’s potential?

If Facebook represents your social life, LinkedIn represents your business life so ensure you complete your profile. You can write anything about yourself professionally within the LinkedIn format. A potential employer may look you up on LinkedIn to learn about you and decide whether or not to take your application further.

With LinkedIn paving the way for businesses and recruitment, as a job seeker it’s worth making the extra effort to use LinkedIn to assist you in your job search. Below are some suggestions to help you on your quest for career success:

“If you want to succeed in the world you must make your own opportunities.” (John B Gough – public speaker & social reformer)

How to use LinkedIn

Make your profile stand out, here are just a few ways:

• A passport-size, smiling, head-and-shoulder shot is essential• Don’t list your work history but write it as though you are telling a story• Highlight your achievements and explain why you are a strong candidate in your

field of work• List your specialities using all the relevant keywords for Search Engine

Optimisation• Mention any interests/training/education

Once you’re up and running:

• Post professional updates. Think of them as brief conversations at networking events – you never know what might catch someone’s attention.

• Ask colleagues and clients for recommendations. If your profile is really good, ask to link it to their LinkedIn profile so people can see who’s recommending you.

• Join groups that are relevant to your industry. It’s a great way to network and meet new people.

• Earn the trust of others and promote yourself as a thought leader by contributing to discussions.

• Link your profile to other social media where you can showcase your work, such as your Twitter feed, blog or YouTube video.



STEP 6

THE THANK YOU NOTE - a great selling tool that makes you stand out!In this day and age where manners are lacking and courtesy almost non-existent, an excellent way to help to be remembered after an interview, is to write a thank you note to the people who have just interviewed you, and to anybody who has helped you along the way in your job search. This note can be hand-written, typed, mailed, faxed, hand-delivered or emailed. However, to have impact it should be sent within 24 hours after contact and no later.

Keeping a job search work book: It is a good idea before you begin job seeking to buy an exercise book and keep a record of every phone call, contact, address and employer with whom you have touched base, so that you are able to make follow-up inquiries at a later date. Also, paste any copies of advertisements for jobs in this book. Finally, only one quality will guarantee success in the job search process: PERSISTENCE - PERSISTENCE - PERSISTENCE!

If you don’t believe this to be true, look up the story of Colonel Sanders, founder of KFC.

“Press on. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

(Ray Kroc, Founder of McDonalds)

Why send a thank you note?

- to make you stand out from the crowd

- to help the employer to remember you

- to show you have good people skills

- to give interviewers something to show other members of a committee

- to give you an opportunity to correct any wrong impressions left behind

- to substantially increase your chances of being offered the job



WHY ADL?Whether you’re job hunting or interested in self-improvement for your career needs, then being able to demonstrate and articulate that you’re different is the key to success. Trying to be like everyone else, having the same skills and qualifications, will simply put you in competition with already successful people. Having something that little bit different will help you stand out. Then, combining your newly-achieved skills and knowledge, learned via our quality courses, and you’ll be ahead of the game.

Demonstrating at a job interview or any pressure point in your career that you are a self-starter, ready to use your self-attained, practical skills with up-to-the-minute industry, or discipline knowledge, will set you above the competition. Here at ADL Homestudy, for nearly 40 years we have delivered high quality, value-for-money, distance learning and now, online courses. We realised a long time ago that not all educational certificates meet everyone’s needs. We offer students flexibility – for you to develop around your busy working or home life. We are so flexible that you can actually design a course of study around your needs – putting together a unique combination of 100 hour modules that will fulfil your study goals and ambitions.

Different to many – if not all distance learning Online courses – with ADL Homestudy you will also have to undertake practical tasks and challenges. Our problem-based-learning (PBL) methods push you to attain deeper learning and understanding through application of the knowledge you will gain from our course materials.

Our students are from all over the world and all manner of backgrounds and ages. For many, we are the first contact for those who are engaging in further or continuing education – no matter how long you’ve been away from school. Some have degrees or related qualifications and are interested in further study. Others undertake courses for hobbyist purposes. You could even use our courses as a launch pad for a career change!

Our support structures are fundamental to the success of every student. Your tutor is there to guide and facilitate your learning, providing as much or as little individual contact as you feel appropriate. Remember, this support is not limited to a set number of hours! Your tutor will be an expert in their industry and your area of study. You will receive prompt feedback on all submitted work, providing you with assistance and the motivation to help you succeed. Our courses offer great value for money. We maintain high quality materials and subject content, whilst prices remain competitive. And don’t forget you’re studying in your own time, in your home or office – saving travel to college and time away from home. We also offer payment plans – interest free instalments – so you can spread the cost of your education with ease.

You will take from our courses – designed by our industry experts – sets of skills that will be with you for the rest of your life. Your newly-acquired expertise will set you apart from your competition, sharpen your focus, build your confidence and improve your communication skills in our increasingly-challenging 21st century.

Whatever your circumstances, whether you’re seeking a new job, looking for a new career, wanting to upgrade your present skills, start your own business, expand your professional development or further your passions for a particular hobby, an ADL professional development qualification will accelerate your progress to your target goal. We look forward to helping you get ahead.

Choose from over 500 quality professional development training courses, offered by ADL - Academy for Distance Learning. Our 19 disciplines include: Agriculture, Animals, Bookkeeping, Business Management, Ecotourism & Adventure Activities, Education, Training & Research, Environment, Health Sciences, Health, Fitness & Recreation, Horticulture, Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Infor-mation Technology & Computing, Pet Care, Photography, Pre-Medical, Psychology & Counselling, Science & Technology, Workshops & Practicals, and Writing & Journalism.

Course summary:Start and finish your course at any time, anywhereDuration: from 100 hours per module to 1200 hours for 12 modulesMethod of Delivery: Online, CD-ROM or CorrespondenceCosts: interest free instalment plans available Awards: Certificates, Advanced Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas and Higher Advanced Diplomas

“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”

(Benjamin Franklin – a ‘Founding Father’ of the United States)



INFORMATION

5 MINUTE CAREERS GUIDECOURSE FEATURESEXAMINATION PROCESSHORTICULTURE LEARNING RESOURCESICB BOOKKEEPING MEMBERSHIPLEARNING METHODSNEWSLETTERNUSPLAGIARISM POLICYPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSESRECOGNITIONTUTORS & ADMINWHAT SETS ADL APARTABOUT USINFORMATION PACKSELF TESTPRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONS

CUSTOMER SERVICE

HOW OUR COURSES WORKWHY TAKE AN ONLINE COURSE?DESIGN YOUR OWN COURSERECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNINGQUALIFICATIONS AWARDEDPROBLEM BASED LEARNINGOUR EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHYONLINE COURSESCODE OF PRACTICECONTACT USSITE MAPASSIGNMENT SUBMISSIONEXAMINATION PROCEDURE & APPLICATIONWE SUPPORT

EXTRAS

GIFT VOUCHERSAFFILIATESSPECIALSBE A TUTOR WITH ADLREFUND POLICYEASY PAYMENT PLANSFAQ’SCODE OF PRACTICETESTIMONIALSWORKSHOPSREAD OUR BLOGNEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERREAD OUR NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES

DISCIPLINES

LEVELSCERTIFICATESADVANCED CERTIFICATESDIPLOMAADVANCED DIPLOMAHIGHER ADVANCED DIPLOMA

COURSES WORKSHOPSEBOOKSTOREICB BOOKKEEPINGHEALTH & SAFETYECOLOGYWILDLIFE CONSERVATIONCROPSGENERAL HORTICULTUREHERBSTURFPLANT VARIETIESTREESLANDSCAPINGHOME GARDENINGNURSERY & PROPAGATIONPERMACULTUREHYDROPONICSRHS HORTICULTURE COURSESECOTOURISM & ADVENTURELIFE COACHINGPSYCHOLOGYFARMINGLIVESTOCKEQUINE STUDIESAGRICULTUREENVIRONMENTALANIMAL CAREHEALTH SCIENCESPRE-MEDICALMARKETINGMANAGEMENTSALESBOOKKEEPING & ACCOUNTINGBUSINESSHOSPITALITY & TOURISMHORTICULTURE STUDY EBOOKSPLANTS STUDY EBOOKSLANDSCAPING STUDY EBOOKSBUSINESS & MANAGEMENT EBOOKSHEALTH AND FITNESS EBOOKSPSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELLING

RESEARCHJOURNALISMWRITINGCUSTOMER SERVICEPUBLIC RELATIONSHUMAN RESOURCESADMIN SECRETARIAL & PAJOURNALISM & WRITINGCLASSICS HISTORYLANGUAGESLAWLITERATUREPERFORMING ARTSPHILOSOPHYRELIGIONVISUAL ARTSEDUCATION MUSICTHEATREDANCEDRAWINGPAINTINGPHOTOGRAPHYTECHNOLOGYENGINEERINGSCIENCESELF SUFFICIENCYSPORTSHEALTH & FITNESSFOOTBALLNATURAL SCIENCESHEALTH & MEDICALBUSINESS, MANAGEMENT & ACCOUNTINGHUMANITIESSCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERINGLIFESTYLEHORTICULTUREPSYCHOLOGY & COUNSELLING

EBOOKSCAREERS AND WORK EBOOKSWRITING EBOOKSPHOTOGRAPHY EBOOKSANIMAL HEALTH EBOOKSAGRICULTURE EBOOKS



REMEMBER... EVERYWHERE THERE IS A PROBLEM...THERE IS A JOB.

Get A Job In 7 DaysThe following excerpt is from Dr Mike Murdock’s blog titled “Dr Mike’s Blog” which can found on his website at: www. thewisdomcenter.tv This advice is very helpful. It’s all about standing out from the crowd! The advice given is sure to get you noticed.

Dr Mike says “Your interview should include the following four statements”. 1. “I have thoroughly studied your company...I am excited about being apart of your vision and goals.” study their website know the mission statement of the company, owner etc. 2. “You will never have to repeat an instruction to me.” That immediately puts you in the top 1%of the earth. bosses are craving someone who doesn’t require constant babysitting and follow-up.

3. “I am agreeable and can work well in any environment where I am needed.”A Team-Player...creates energy and synergy. One Person... Creates Unity. Bosses know that. 4. “I am very easy to correct...and treasure the opportunity to be a serious protege of this company.” Few...grasp the power of this statement. You will make mistakes. That is inevitable. But, pride makes most resentful, retaliatory, and divisive.

The Easier You Are To Correct...The Closer You Will Get To The Leader. Continuous Honor Creates Continuous Access. Apply these 4 statements...and you will become unforgettable to your new Boss.

True Problem-Solvers....Rarely Lose Their Job.Problem People....Always Lose Their Job.

Finally, Don’t give Up. Be PERSISTENT PERSISTENT PERSISTENT PERSISTENT



Documents

Job Seekers’ Essentialsadlstudyzone.com/jobseeker/resources/jobseekers-guide.pdfStrategic job hunting tips A Little Strategy… 1. Realise no one owes you 2. Realise job-hunting