Finding a job that will make you happy can take practice and time!  But all employment experience is relevant and should be used to your advantage when applying for a start or for a change of job / career.

When businesses recruit, they are seeking through their job advertisement to find the best fit for their Company in terms of capability to do the job, best fit to join the existing team and will appoint where they can foresee value and potential being added to their business.

When deciding whether to reply to a job advertisement, think about how your knowledge, skills, experience and personality can be transferred to the benefit of a new employer.

From the employer’s perspective, it is alarming how many people apply for  a job or attend an interview without having thought about the Company or the job they are applying for.  Given the competition in the employment market, presentation is everything and presentation starts with preparation.  So if replying to a job advertisement or applying on-line, read the job summary and criteria carefully as this will form the basis for the selection process and interview

The first hurdle in job seeking is actually finding a job.  There are many mediums of job advertising, and in Fermanagh, companies are still advertising in their local paper with more and more businesses opting for an on-line application process / form.  This is the most effective means of managing recruitment and has the added value of highlighting to the employer, an individual’s technology skills and know-how.

Individual’s who have been out of work for any period of time, or are returning to work after a period of planned / unplanned leave or are starting out for the first time as a graduate or otherwise, can find job hunting or returning to employment daunting and a test of self-confidence.

Creating and maintaining confidence whilst job seeking is best kept simple by keeping active, being around good friends and supportive family, keeping your brain active by reading, listening to music and keeping in touch with your local community (through the Fermanagh Herald of course!).

Back to the job search and when you come across a job that you want to apply for, measure your capability against the job advert and job description and demonstrate this clearly at this initial part of the recruitment process.  By doing so, you are measuring your ability to secure an interview.  As you can’t control the outcome of the Company’s shortlist, there is no point in worrying.

Talking to employers at the Jobs and Careers Fair will help develop contacts with local businesses and hopefully help develop confidence and knowledge of employment and work opportunities across Fermanagh. The Fermanagh Herald will publish a list of businesses who are exhibiting over the next 4 weeks.  In the meantime, job seekers might find the following summary useful:-

Preparing for the Jobs and Careers Fair

TIPS FOR ATTENDING THE JOBS AND CAREERS FAIR

• Pre register (e-mail Julie, hr@northwestnewsgroup.com)
• Make a list of Companies you want to talk to and make sure you talk to all employers at the top of your list
• Do a little research on your top employers in advance
• Have your CV updated and bring several copies
• Think about what you want to find out and have questions ready on what you would like to ask – bring a notebook!
• Dress casually but smartly (this is an informal event so business wear not expected)
• Thank the businesses for their time
• Smile 🙂   and enjoy the event

Graduates

For graduates who are starting out in their job search, the transition from study to work can take time.  There are many graduate programmes to support this transition and two of the most popular are Parity’s INTRO programme and Business in the Community’s ‘Graduate Acceleration Programme (GAP).  Both programmes aim to provide meaningful employment experience in your relevant discipline and provide a recognised management qualification.

There are many Fermanagh graduates who have gone on to progress through Parity’s programme and this is how they have got their start in the world of work.  Graduate programmes are supportive and a great way of meeting employers and others in the same position as you.

Other entry routes into the world of work on completion of degrees are through a recognised vocational qualification, further study by specialising in a postgraduate or Masters degree or under a Company’s own graduate management programme.  Further details on the programmes mentioned are available from :-

www.gapni.com

www.introprogramme.com