How can you improve your chances of getting a job?

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I am currently unemployed, have been for a while, and am trying to get back into work...
I know that I am not alone in my quest for a new job - there are ever increasing unemployment figures provided by the government shows more and more people are out of work.

I thought that I would share some of my job-search techniques and suggestions with you. 
Please share your suggestions in the comment box below of anything else you are doing or suggest doing to try and get a job!

Asking in shops

Most of the time a shop will display any vacancies on their window or door, and you can ask inside for an application form. 
Even if they are not displaying a vacancy, it is always an idea to ask anyway. They may be about to start a recruitment drive, and by showing initiative you could be ahead of the game.

If you are asking in shops, it's always a good idea to have copies of your CV with you, which you can leave with them.

Recruitment / temping agencies

Agency work can be a good approach if you are unsure as to where you want to work, as you tend to get various assignments in different companies. 
Although this gives you a chance to work for different companies, get lots of various experience and help to improve your CV, it can be a very hit or miss approach to gaining solid employment.
You may end up working long term contracts or short term, and occasionally the agency can't find work for you.
I have also found that some recruitment agencies are all too happy to enroll you and add your details to their list but fail to provide you with any work at all.

Job centre

If you are claiming benefits whilst unemployed, the chances are you will need to visit the job centre every fortnight to sign on. Whilst there, it's always worth taking some time and looking through the job points for any suitable jobs. You can print the details out and apply for them when you have the chance.

Asking friends and family

If you have friends or family who have a job, ask them to listen out and inform you of any vacancies in their work place. 
Not only does it show to them you are really trying to find a job, you will probably earn their respect and support more than by not asking them.

I would advise that if they recommend you to their employer, make sure you present yourself well at any interviews and work hard if you get the job. Remember: your performance will reflect on the friend or family member who recommended you.

I would also suggest that even if the job is completely unsuitable, remember to show appreciation for their help.

Online job search

There are literally millions of online job search websites available nowadays that allow you to look for vacancies by whatever criteria you wish to use.
You can usually search by location, job category, distance, salary or other options to find jobs that are suitable and relevant to you.
Many job sites now offer the option to register with them and upload your CV, and they will match your skills and requirements with jobs advertised.

Some social networking sites are also being used to post local area job vacancies. As an example, Darlington jobs are posted on the Darlington area Job vacancies page on Facebook. (You will need to have a facebook account to use this page).

Personally I find this can be a bit hit or miss, as some of the jobs sent to you are only slightly related to ones you have shown an interest in. You also tend to receive a lot of emails from each job search site you may not be interested in.

Contacting former work colleagues

If you still have a good connection to people you have previously worked for, it might be worth asking them to keep you informed of any vacancies available. 
This option always has certain considerations to take into mind: Why are you not working for that company any more?
If you quit and left on good terms or were made redundant for example, you may be able to get another job at your previous company.
The benefits are you already know the people who work there, you know what the job involves and what the company does.
(Obviously, if you have been fired from a previous job for negative reasons, it might be unwise to try and apply for another job there).

Prospective emailing companies in your industry

Even if no jobs have been advertised, it can be worthwhile writing a covering letter and emailing it with a CV to companies that are in the industry you are trying to get a job in.

Although you are likely to receive a fair amount of replies telling you there are no vacancies, some companies will keep your details on their records and contact you should a vacancy become available.

Sometimes however, this approach really pays off. I have recently tried this approach, and sent my CV to somebody who wasn't thinking about taking on anybody until they received my CV and covering letter. This led on to a discussion with him about a vacancy he hadn't thought about until he received my email! As soon as he is ready to take me on, I have the job!

Write a blog about yourself and email it to companies.

If you feel you have an interesting story about your career path, you might be inclined to write about it. By writing it as an article or blog, you can be more personal about it, and have the chance to explain what you did in a way that exposes more of your personality to potential employers than a simple covering letter and CV can.
You can then include the link to your article / blog if it seems appropriate in a covering letter to any potential employers.
Although I suggest making the article / blog more personal to yourself, remember to keep it professional too. If your article includes bad spelling, grammar and punctuation you are more likely to put off any potential employers.

As an example of this, read my blog: A brief history of Richard M Stewart.

Approaching people in the street.

If you walk about during a busy time of day (such as during rush hour or lunch time), you might be able to spot people who you can approach and ask if the company they work for has any vacancies. 
Depending on who you approach, they may be able to either give you a business card to contact the company they work for, or possibly even take your CV into their work and put it forward for you.

The good thing about this approach is if you are looking for a job in a certain location you have a high chance of meeting people who work for businesses in that area.

The downside of course is that by giving your CV to a complete stranger. They may not put it forward for you, and in worst cases may use your personal details for fraud. I will admit I have never tried this approach.

Post an advert in local publications or notice boards.

If you are looking for a job within a certain area, you could always post an advert on a notice board or local publications.
Most news agents and supermarkets have an area in which they place customer adverts. It might be worth posting a looking for work advert in these places.

Set up a website about yourself.

Even if you are not particularly technical, you can easily create a website about yourself for the purposes of searching for a job.
Many web hosting companies offer a free package that will allow you to have a fairly simple but interesting website created using templates they provide.
If you create a website, however, make sure you do not post any personal details such as address or bank details. A telephone / mobile number is a possibility, but take into account people may look at your website 24 hours a day and contact you at all hours. I would recommend supplying an email address for people to contacting you and ask for further information.

Create a video about yourself and post it online.

With sites such as Youtube becoming far more popular, you could use video to sell yourself.
If you are looking for performance related jobs; video production work, dance related jobs or perhaps unusual artistic jobs (a circus performer perhaps?!) perhaps a video of you showing your skills would be relevant to send to potential employers.

This list is by no means everything you can do when searching for a job. If you have any other ideas you feel I have missed, please leave your comments below!

- TheLittlerich