Preparing Yourself For A Successful Job Hunt

Jackie has kindly sent us this article. 

Preparing Yourself For A Successful Job Hunt

There are a number of changes to benefits and pensions, which will affect many people who claim these benefits - including pensioners, parents and jobseekers. Some people will see cuts to their pension payments, with the pension age set to rise from 65 to 66 between December 2018 and October 2020, forcing many to continue in employment. Also, the introduction of the universal credit, which is the new benefit for working age people, is meant to be a single payment replacing 6 existing benefits, including job seekers allowance, working tax credit and employment support allowance.

Benefits payments

Under this scheme, there will be no limit to how many hours a week people can work, meaning you don’t lose all your benefits for working more than 16 hours a week. Out of 590,000 people who were on universal credit as of August 2017, 230,000, that is 39%, were in employment, according to the BBC.  However, these changes are already proving controversial. Benefit payment under the universal credit are planned to be made in arrears, requiring a 4 week wait by claimants. In addition, IT and administrative problems encountered by the scheme means that almost a quarter of all claimants have had to wait more than six weeks to receive their first payment in full, causing likely hardship for families.  For many, finding a job might be a useful way to earn additional income to ensure their families’ wellbeing. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that job wages have gone up by 2.6%, which is a better increase than the year before; with unemployment rate also falling, and suggests there are good job prospects.

Finding the right job for you

Whether you’ve been looking for a job for sometime, are just about to start looking for one, or considering whether to start looking for one, now may be a good time for a job search. To increase your chances of getting a job, you should be proactive, seek relevant information and assistance; and take advantage of available job search programs and events.  There are a range of internet tools to aid your search including social media platforms such as twitter and LinkedIn, as well as job search engines. Depending on the type of job you are interested in, there are a range of websites dedicated to available jobs which you can apply for.   According to a survey by LinkedIn, 60% of applicants use online job boards, with 56% using social and professional platforms. Job inquiries through friends and families is also useful, as 50% of applicants search by word of mouth.

Presenting yourself well

Once you find a job you are interested in, you are likely to express an interest through a number of ways such as an informal chat with the employer or presenting a written application. These are important because this is how the employer will form a first impression of you, as well as your skills, knowledge and other qualities. Most employers ask for a CV and a covering letter and so you should take the time and effort to write and present an impressive resume that highlights your experiences. According to a study by CareerBuilder, 82% of recruiters said they considered applicants’ experience as very important. The quality of your application can be the difference between getting the job or being refused.

Getting an interview will be the next big step, and a good preparation is key. You should brush up on your interview skills, your communication skills, a good knowledge of the company as well as the specifics of the job role. These will help you to be confident during the interview, and show the panel that you are the right person for the job. You should prepare to look the part also, by dressing up appropriately for the interview.

Having a positive attitude can make a lot of difference, and help you achieve your job search goals.  It is also important that you take the steps to improve yourself and develop relevant skills for the job you are interested in, to increase your chances of securing that dream job. 

ABC Note: Thanks to the lady who offered us furniture, clothing and food over easter. We have directed you to where it can be put to good use.