Where and how to look it job

Where and how to look

13 Go online. Search by both area and job title, and repeat your search every day. "The methods that pay most dividend are Google Alerts for the wider market and manually tracking specific companies you'd like to work for," says Manahan. "Register judiciously with reputable job sites [see step 19]."
14 Target organisations you'd like to work for. Visit their websites and look for employment information – you may find jobs that don't appear elsewhere online. "Demonstrating that you have a genuine interest and real enthusiasm for an organisation can make you really stand out," says Yeung.
15 Look under your nose. While many large firms use the internet to find employees, most small businesses do not. A local paper can still be a useful place to find jobs in your town.
16 … but also cast the net wide. If you currently work five minutes from home, try widening your search. "Difficult times require more creative solutions and you will find more options by casting your net more widely," says Corfield. "Don't be put off by commuting. It can provide time for reading, learning or just thinking."
17 Aim high and low. Apply for jobs above and below the level you are currently (or were formerly) working at. It's hard to generalise, but particularly if switching career, you need to be realistic about the level of opportunity that may be open to you.
18 Apply to unconventional places. You may assume your local hospital, for example, doesn't have any jobs you'd be suited to if you aren't a healthcare worker – but you might be wrong. "Most large organisations have admin, IT and HR staff," says Corfield. "Scan job vacancies widely and use your contacts when job-hunting wherever they work."
19 Look out for scams. There's no shortage of unscrupulous people out there waiting to take advantage of the unwary. Scams can encompass everything from "work at home" to "pay for a list of available jobs".
"Also, some agencies trawl for good CVs, then approach companies with the claim that they have the cream of the market," says Manahan. "Employers hate being approached this way, so make sure that the ad you're responding to is a real job.
"Get some real detail on the position; if you have any doubt as to its veracity, then don't apply."

Build an online profile

20 Put your CV online. It creates a strong impression if your résumé is available to employers to download. Try it once yourself to see how it looks, and make sure it prints out the way you expect it to.
21 Use a universally accepted document format. "PDF or Word-compatible are the best," suggests Innes. "If your CV is in a different format, you're immediately reducing the chances of someone being able to access it – and thereby your chances of getting a job."
22 Use the right keywords. If you post your CV online, make sure that high up (and in the filename) it contains lots of keywords that are relevant to your ideal job. The goal is to have your CV pop up at the top of the list when a potential employer searches for those keywords. "Gather as many job description and person specification documents as possible as you proceed with your search," says Manahan. "Then start to seed your CV with the right language – and keep it honest [see step 40]."
23 Become an expert in your field. The more people who know you and your work, the more chances you have to make a new contact when you are seeking a job. "Think about articles you could write for trade journals, talks you could give, blogs and other opportunities to build credibility in your field," says Yeung.
It's hard to beat a good profile on LinkedIn 24 Build online profiles. "For findability, it's hard to beat a good profile on LinkedIn," advises Manahan. Start it privately, hone it and then go public to a wider audience."
25 Keep your profiles accurate and up to date. "It's vital that the details posted in your online profiles match the details contained within your CV and cover letters," says Innes. "Employers frequently use the internet as a quick and easy means of checking up on applicants. Don't get caught out."
26 Behave yourself online. If you use a more general social networking site, such as Facebook or MySpace, be careful to present yourself in the best light possible and make sure privacy settings prevent casual viewers from seeing your full profile.
"Would you mind if your boss, or the members of your next interview panel, read what you were saying online?" Corfield points out. "Save the risque jokes for when you are actually with your friends."
27 Be old-fashioned. Many employers are geared up to receive applications online, but sometimes simply submitting your application and following up by phone is the best approach, particularly when applying speculatively. "Different methods work for different industries – so be scientific," suggests de Grunwald. "Try everything and see what response you get. If something works, do more of it. If something doesn't, stop doing it."