GUIDE TO
FIND A JOB
Sharpen your tools and get the ideal job
Linking quality and passion
FIRST STEPS GET STARTED CREATE A GOOD CV WRITE A COVER LETTER USE THE RIGHT TOOLS
PREPARE THE INTERVIEW
GET STARTED Self-evaluation Before the search starts, make an analysis of what you own, what you want, the state of the market that you want to access, companies in which you want to work, etc. Clearly, if you have decided to look for a job you might have an idea of what you want, but it may not fit reality. Be analytical, ask for opinions and research. Establish a routine Set goals and timetable for yourself to ensure a constant pace of work in the job search. There will be good and bad days but having certain routines can help you persist. Prepare those materials you consider necessary Prepare those materials you’ll need for your applications: your CV, cover letter and couple variations of it, answers to typical questions, etc. Controls the tools you’ll use every day Organize the tools you will be using to find a job in order to optimize your time and the results. The use of bookmarks in the browser, for example, can be very useful to have access to all job boards, networking sites and recruitment agencies in just a few clicks. Thus you will save time and energy, obtaining better results. Keep track of your applications An Excel spreadsheet is enough to keep a record of the vacancies to which you applied. Write down the main details that can quickly refresh your memory, so that the moment you are called for an interview, you know exactly what you are talking about. On this spreadsheet we suggest targeting information such as company name, position name, keywords of the profile they are looking for, location, etc.
C REATE A
GO O D C V
CREATE A CURRICULUM VITAE Essential information in a CV There are thousands of designs for CV’s, but there are some details that are a must: • Personal data: name, date and place of birth, home address. • Contact: phone number and email address. • Education: curriculum (including dates, centres and place). • Other Titles: complementary studies (including dates, centres and place). • Professional experience: work experience, date and duration, main functions and name of the occupied position. • Languages: language and proficiency. Also add language titles, formal courses or other evidence of learning and / or level of proficiency of these languages. • Skills and knowledge: operating systems, word processors, spreadsheets, databases, graphic design, internet, etc. • Other interesting facts: other aspects that have not yet been included, such as driving license, availability, personal interests, etc.
Extra It is advisable to include any information that can facilitate and enhance the application, although it is important to not give too much information (as it can turn to be negative). Some suggestions: • Photo • Profile in Social Networks • Small introduction text / Presentation • References: name of the person and contact information. • Awards and Publications
Advice on the elaboration of the CV You expect great results from this CV, so do not skimp on details. Think about it and put yourself in the shoes of the company that you are sending it to. The ideal is that you customize your resume for each vacancy to which you apply, highlighting and organizing information in a way that highlights those requires the employer is looking for.
MARKETING PROFILE
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IT PROFILE
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FINANCE PROFILE
Alternatively, you can produce 3 or 4 variables modified by sector, language or other important fact of the vacancy. The examples that follow are different variables of 3 different profiles. The title inside each sheet is the profile that the candidate wishes to highlight, according to the position he is applying to.
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As a matter of fact, all three have worked under the various job titles seen at their right (in previous professional experiences) but on each application they t hey chose the one that highlights a particular experience similar to the one they are applying to.
Clear design Make sure your CV is easy to read. Companies do not have much time to read CV’s in depth so make sure that both the important information and your achievements are clear and easy to find in the document. Keep it brief and concise to keep the attention of those who read it. It should not be more than 2 A4 pages.
Show your skills Show what makes you unique and the perfect candidate. Write down your accomplishments and back it up with numbers! Have you managed a team? Indicate the number of persons. Have you been responsible for increasing sales? Did you manage budgets? Have you worked in several countries? Similarly, it is important to note the “soft skills” such as teamwork, empathy, etc. They are as important as the “hard skills”.
Adapt your CV to the vacancy It may take time, but the extra effort you put into adapting the CV the closer to getting an interview. The personal touch when applying for a job will show employers your motivation, and we all know that motivated candidates are more likely to get the job.
Show who you are You have an entire page to show who you are and what you’re good at. Do not be afraid to be creative with your CV. Are you a good designer? Add a professional design to your CV. Are you an expert in Photoshop? Include a striking image. Do you have excellent networking skills? Include a link to your LinkedIn page. Use your skills to your advantage. If your skills are teamwork, related to sports, music or even help a group of volunteers, be sure to include it in your CV, everything Counts!
C REATE A
COVER LE TT E R
INTRODUCE YOURSELF How to create a cover letter The cover letter is a document that, despite being formal, allows you to demonstrate and openly tell why a company should choose you among all the candidates. Do not forget that this is a formal presentation of yourself to a company that you do not know; this letter is your chance to speak more in details about yourself. On the one hand you should keep the formality and seek: • A coherent and simple structure • Greeting. Dear, Hello, etc. • Introduction. Concise statement of the contact. • Body. Tell here why you think you fit profile, explain similar experiences, skills (Sell yourself!). • Closing. Do not wait to receive a call, show proactivity: request an interview, you can call or stop by the office, etc. • No spelling mistakes (don’t trust Word corrector!). • Do not forget the basic parts of a formal letter (introduction, greetings...). On the other hand, the letter allows you to avoid the “fill the form” format and to show how you communicate, your personality, your analytical skills, etc. This letter can either get you the job or remove you from the candidates list for good. Avoid: • Talking too much about something not important makes no difference in your candidacy. • Sending the same letter to all companies. Customize them. • Not exposing the purpose of the letter. A letter written aimlessly is nothing more than a bunch of words. Be clear and concise.
SEARCH TOOLS
WHERE TO LOOK Where do I start looking for work? Undoubtedly the best way to deliver your CV and get a job is through direct contact with the person who manages these kinds of processes within the company. But as this may turn out to be quite difficult, you must look for other alternatives that are more in your reach. 1. Direct Although some companies no longer accept delivery of CV in person, we recommend that you investigate whether this is a possibility or not. Never miss an opportunity to introduce yourself as your chances increase exponentially. Another form of direct contact is email. You can usually find contact details on the company´s website. Try not to be too intrusive, try not to pick the first random address and do not email each and every address you find. Try to get in touch with the human resources department, or in the absence of this one, with the department to which you want to apply, and ultimately to the general email address that usually starts with info@, hello@... 2. Recruitment agencies Like Talent Search People, these are companies dedicated to solving any HR needs. Given their experience, they have effective tools to find the right candidate. Create your own profile on their website and check out their vacancies frequently. 3. Agregadores de ofertas On sites like Career Builder and Infojobs you can find millions of job offers. At least you must have accounts created in 3 aggregators and keep a daily monitoring of the published vacancies since there are plenty of new ones every day.
4. Inem and other social services Organized by area, these services can be useful although they are quite slow. 5. Press There are publications like SegundaMano, Que! and others that still publish job offers.
6. Social Networks Do not underestimate the usefulness of Social Media when looking for a job. These platforms are increasingly being used to share job offers, both by independent users and by companies who publish their own vacancies.
OPEN AN ACCOUNT
¿HOW MANY PEOPLE GOT A JOB THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA?
Why? 50%
22%
28%
¡BE PROFESSIONAL!
94% of companies visit social media pages of possible candidates
37% of companies didn’t hire a candidate after going through their social media pages
How can Social Media help you to find a job? Step 1- Get Connected The 3 most popular sites for finding employment are LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Open an account and connect yourself to friends, family and those within your professional circle. When it comes to job hunting, the more connections you have, the better. Step 2- Be Professional Think before you upload that photo, status or video. Ask yourself, would you want your future boss seeing that? With up to 94% of employers using social media to screen candidates before hiring, be careful with what you share. Think professional! Step 3- Network With so many people connected online, it´s a fantastic place to be when looking for a job. Give yourself an extra boost by not only searching for a job, but also telling your connections what you are looking for and letting them help you. If you show them the best of you, the best opportunities will come.
Extra tips • Use the tools that social networks, such as Linkedin and Facebook job boards, can offer to help you find a job. • Look for a job through Twitter using hashtags liks #job #jobsearch #hr #employment, jobhunting...
P R EPA R E FO R T HE
I NT E R V IEW
HOW TO GET READY Aspects to take care of in an interview 1. Take care of your image and attitude This stands for before, during and after the interview. There are some important points that should be mentioned: - Clean your social networks of potentially controversial material. - Learn about the dress code of the company. - Keep your presentation simple, avoid any excess (too many hair products, too much perfume, deodorant, makeup, etc.). - Your body language is very important, and it can transmit automatic impressions about you. Do not exaggerate movements, try to project a relaxed and confident image. 2. Prepare in advance Preparation is key to an interview. This includes, for example: - Previous search about the company / position concerned. - Learn how to explain your professional experience and know how it can fit into what the company is looking for. - Practice the interview - with friends, partners or family members.
3. Relax This advice does not seem as important as some others, but in fact, relaxation allows you to escape the stress of the interview and to be more successful in it. The day before the interview, relax and rest; try to do something that gives you pleasure. 4. Be punctual, “extrapunctual� This is very important. Be responsible and show that you are committed and interested in the interview and in getting the job. If the interview is at 11.00, arrive at 10:45. 5. Be nice and smile... :) Sympathy can usually win over any person. Try to show disposition, kindness and always be ready to smile when time is right. This serves to both who you have the interview with as well as to all those people you meet in the company.
5 essential questions to prepare for an interview We often focus on how to answer questions in a job interview. We forget, however, the questions we can ask. The importance of making this evaluation has to do, mainly, with two things: first, asking the right questions and validating our interest in the company, and secondly, we can learn more about our future position and the company itself. Here are five good questions to ask at a job interview: 1. What skills and experiences are the ideal profile of a candidate for this position? This question is important because it lets you know exactly what is expected from your performance, and tests how your professional experience can contribute to the position in question.
2. What is the day-to-day life like in the company/department? With this question you will know clearly how the days go by in the company / department, realizing if it is a positive work environment or not for you. 3. What can you tell me about the team I would be working with? This is another fundamental question that gives you and will realize if it is a positive work environment for you or not. The answer to this question can be essential for you to make your decision. 4. What is the best part about working in this company? If the person you have the interview with gives a quick and clear answer, that’s because he thinks there is some value to their organization. Otherwise, it’s a red alert for a possible professional situation that may not be the most desirable for you.
What is the next step in the process? We often forget how important is the “post-interview” feedback. In the case that, after the interview, we are still interested in the job, it is important to demonstrate, once again, your interest in the position and at the same time to know how the application will be dealt with in the future. The interviewer will often tell you what are the next steps in the process, but if you take the initiative to ask, it obviously has more value.
FIND A JO B WIT H
TALENT SEARCH PEOPLE 1
Look for job offers on our web site and social media pages
2
Apply to those you’re interested in
3
First a phone interview and a language test (if necessary)
4
Face-to-face or online interview about your skills and CV
5
We present the best candidates to the company
6
Interview with client company
7
Management of the process until its end
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www.talentsearchpeople.com