Good preparation is key when looking for new job

SADLY for many reading this, a new career will not be an optionalchoice but one where there is no alternative following redundancy.At the time of writing closures and redundancies are almost dailyoccurrences so individuals are being forced to consider theiroptions.

It happened to me some 12 years ago when PA Consulting Group,with whom I was a world-wide partner, decided to close its operationin Northern Ireland. Even if you are semi-prepared it still comes asquite a shock. (We all have that comforting human fallacy to believeit will never happen to us).

This forced me to look at my options which at the time includedrelocating to England.

However, I decided that setting up my own executive search andselection business was more attractive and with hindsight I knowthis was the right decision. While the focus of this business is onrecruiting senior managers, we have always been involved in thereverse activity of helping those made redundant.

As our redundancy counselling and career development brochurestates: "A job is no longer for life". So if you have beenunfortunate and have recently lost your job or are expecting to doso in the coming months, do not despair. Whether your job change hasbeen forced on you by redundancy, or is part of your career plan,being properly equipped is fundamental to finding a new opportunityand making the most of it. A key aspect is to be totally honest withyourself as well as being realistic.

In the current global economic crisis with negative growth (whyaren't the commentators realistic and call it by its real name ofdecline), this is more important than ever as there are clearlyfewer job opportunities.

Having stated this, don't get despondent and sit back. There arejobs out there and it is those with enthusiasm and persistence whowill find them and these qualities will also be of great help inselling yourself at interview.

A first step is to TAKE STOCK and to be clear on what you have tooffer.

This self-awareness check of your skills and experience, yourstrengths and weaknesses will help you identify what type of jobapplication you are likely to succeed at.

For example, in economic downturns many organisations are tryingto win more business or orders and may wish to increase their salesstaff.

However, if an organisation is looking for someone to sellinternationally and you have never done this before, you areunlikely to be successful even though you are a top sales performerin your domestic market.

TAKING AIM is the next step and this is about being clear whatyou are looking for.

If you are not willing to relocate you need to put your own markin the sand and accept that this will limit your opportunities.

I am currently helping a high calibre property developmentmanager who suddenly lost his job and although he has a young familyhe realises he may have to work overseas for a few years until themarket here recovers.

Taking aim is not merely about location but should also take intoaccount the type of job you are seeking, your ambitions (includingthe stage you have reached in your career), your financial situationand your flexibility.

It is worth taking time (and in fact, in the long run will saveyou a lot of wasted time if you do so) to be clear about, andpreferably commit to paper, what constraints you may have.

Now you know what you are looking for, the third step is toSEARCH FOR JOBS.

While newspapers and internet job boards are obvious places tolook there are others which you should include.

Don't be afraid to ask your friends if they know of anything butI would be wary of asking a friend for a job as this seldom seems towork out.

You can always approach employment specialists.

Depending on the level of job you could go to an employmentagency or recruitment consultants.

While most people think that 'headhunters' only approachpotential candidates, there is nothing to stop you from making surethat headhunters know about you. Clearly if you are currently inwork you need to make sure the headhunter you approach is highlydiscrete, but if you are out of work the more firms you registerwith the better.

So you have searched hard and found an interested post, the nextstep is to GET AN INTERVIEW. Far too many people just send in astandard CV and as a result are likely to get no further.

It is essential you sell yourself on paper since if you don't youwon't get an interview. Make sure you customise your CV (or answerson an application form) to bring your experience and strengthsrelative to the requirements of the job.

When you get that interview do go in with enthusiasm andinterest. Even if you come to the conclusion that the job is not foryou, you can always turn it down.

However, if you don't display passion, you certainly won't getthe opportunity to say 'no' even if you have the other skillsrequired. Good luck.

Forde May is managing director of Forde May Consulting Ltd. Itspecialises in executive search, headhunting, recruitment andselection. Feel free to contact him on 9062 8877 or send him yourCV.