Being focused is particularly important when looking for a future job or career move because it is much more likely we are going to be successful if we take a targeted and focused approach.

This is because employers can generally see why we are then applying to them, and also we are likely to be able to sell our skills and experience more easily and in a more direct way to them.

The Pareto principle, (so called after the Italian Economist Vilfredo Pareto) also known as the 80:20 rule was based on the fact that 20% of people in a population owned 80% of the wealth.

Juran went on to develop this concept into a practical application which states that we spend 80% of our time on 20% of the work. It is therefore vital what work you focus on. The 20% must be spent on work that achieves an end result, and is not just part of the process.

You have to then work smart and on the right things.

This is particularly important in job hunting. I see lots of clients who are doing lots of activity. They are really trying.

However, very often they are not focusing on the right activities to achieve an end results.

A typical example of this might be to sit in front of a computer “surfing” for jobs on the internet. This isn’t to say that using the internet for job hunting is not worth while but it requires much more active thought, than just picking up a few sites and looking.

Think about what kinds of jobs you want to apply for, what types of employers in the local area might offer jobs like this. Look for agencies that specialise in these areas for example either by asking others in that industry, or by ringing up first agencies before sending in information or going down in person.

Check out in job adverts if there is a contact name for a job you are interested in. Ring them first to find out additional information before spending days on an application for a job that isn’t for you, or you just can’t fulfil the criteria for.

Use any contacts you have, and go and renew contacts or meet people for the first time to establish relationships with individuals not just to get a job but to widen the working relationships you have.

You might only be able to fill in a few applications that are well presented a week, so each one has got to be well done and really count. Doing the extra leg work is what can really make the difference.

Measure output, not activity

As a bit of challenge this month I am therefore measuring my output not my activity and looking at what I actually achieve. I am not therefore looking at how many hours I work but whether the work is paying off and I am achieving results for my clients (outcomes in terms of jobs, training or a personal goal they have as well as satisfaction with my service) and also for myself (income).

I am setting myself strict hours to work but keeping these very focused on outcomes.

See if you can set yourself an outcome target – perhaps making 5 new contacts, or focusing on a couple of new employers to target your job search to, or even achieving a qualification or improving how many times you have gone out this week.

It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it is focused and you have thought through how it will make a true difference to you improving your prospects or really getting a job.

Sometimes for all of us these are the really challenging activities but are often the ones that really pay off.

I’ll let you know how I get on next time!

Check out some of the topics covered like an Introduction to Social Media and also How to maximise your LinkedIn profile. Some of this training is free others range from charges of up to £55.00. Check it out.

Forum Events

For those needing a lift try the free event by the Yes Group on 26th January 2012  in the curve at the Forum between 6-8 pm.

Websites to check out:

The Forum – Jobs Fair February 2nd 2012

Lots of employers will be there, as well as help and advice agencies – not to be missed.

http://www.theforumnorwich.co.uk/events/view/jobs-fair

For National Job Fairs check

Looking for a job around Norfolk and Norwich?

• In South Norfolk
• In Norwich and Norfolk

There were stalls from providers of training and also employers but the conference involved expert speakers from local employers, recruitment agencies, career advisers, and even image retailers taking questions from George and the audience about real issues they face.

AS careers invited to speak

It was a very honest open conference and a very positive overall event that I particularly felt privileged to speak at.

It is hoped future events will be planned that have this positive and interactive approach. George is working with me and other speakers to have a video done where questions and advice given is available on a website.- I will keep you informed of this and future events.

As a result of the conference AS CAREERS has launched a new free service for any adult over 19 years of age to come and have some advice on anything to do with the present career or employment situations

Some Feedback from attendees

“I hope there will be many more, it has been worth coming. I am very impressed with all the hard work and those giving their time to make the event possible”

“I thought that the whole Conference was forward and positive. It’s a completely different approach for me in job and career finding. I would definitely recommend this to anyone struggling with job finding.”

Promoting Yourself in the Job Market

The next workshop will be held on Thursday March 8th 2012, at the Cube in the Forum Norwich. (upstairs)

This session is aimed at ensuring you have everything in one day to help you achieve the job you want.

It includes:

• Knowledge about the local labour market and employers
• How to make yourself marketable to an employer
• How to focus your job search to maximise success
• How to access the hidden job market
• Covering Letters, CVs, Application advice
• Interviews – tips and secrets
• Making your own personal action plan

Booking information

The course will be held at the the Cube, The Forum, Millenium Plain, Norwich.http://www.theforumnorwich.co.uk/search?search=The+Cube+Meeting+Room&searchId=The+Cube+Meeting+Room

The day starts at 9.30 am and finishes at 4.30 pm

To book a place on this workshop contact us by email or telephone 01603 810569

You must book a place in advance by contacting us due to health and safety reasons. Places are filled on a first come basis – Maximum 15 individuals.

Please note that lunch is not included but a tea and coffee break will be provided.
Lunch is available at Cafe Bar Marzano or you can bring your own.

The sessions last for 45 minutes and are held on the last Tuesday of every month (except December).

Job search help and advice

The careers clinic sessions covers the following topics:

• Diagnosing what jobs you may be suitable for
• Looking at opportunities locally
• Help with finding and accessing training courses
• Writing CVs, Applications, and promoting yourself on-line
• Help with getting through interviews

To book a free career guidance session contact us by email or telephone 01603 810569

AS Careers

The World of Work Project involved Year 6 pupils and was a Social Enterprise venture in conjunction with UnLtd, the UK’s biggest Social Enterprise funder.

Tony O’Rourke, Deputy Headmaster of Tuckswood Community Primary School, says:

“The World of Work project is very powerful in linking together the schools based learning of the children with the skills needed to become economically successful adults in their later life.”

Read the full article on the National Careers Award

In this competitive climate bidding for funding is ruthless. I learnt this to my cost quite recently being part of a consortium that narrowly missed out on some government funding. I have also been fortunate to bid and win funding so I have experienced both sides of the bidding process. Bidding for funding whilst a learnt art, is worth considering if you want to gain funds to sustain a “steady flow” of income alongside the more sporadic private one-to-one work.

Increasingly skills in how to put in a bid for funding and making sure your bid can succeed is becoming almost an expertise in itself with more and more private agencies big and small bidding for pots of money. The type of funds available has also changed and it isn’t just big government contracts but also there are increasingly smaller pots of money available to a diverse range of subcontractors or even individuals such as entrepreneurs and social enterprises some of which can be relevant to guidance practitioners.

The problem is always where to start. For some bids you need to show previous trading or established funding on a large scale which often counts out the smaller provider. However for others it is being in the know and being able to adjust to criteria that may be set. Recently for example an associate of mine put in for funding for a government contract to be told he had to have several million pounds turnover! He rang back and said this wasn’t really his scale but could he be a subcontractor and has won funding this way.

There are now several courses being run by various organisations to help practitioners put in bids and succeed in getting funding. One I found recently was free (which I like) through the St John’s Innovation Centre in Cambridge. This workshop which is for one day goes through the types of funding and grants available in business. This sort of event – whilst costing you a day in the office and travel can help narrow down what is a viable funding stream and what isn’t and learning more about what streams are out there. With the demise of EEDA and similar quangos around the country in April which will effect many doing redundancy work for example learning about new funding out there is always a plus. It also gets you known by some of the funding agencies who can put a face to the name in future.

What have I learnt? Detail is so important and don’t take anything for granted always provide exactly what is needed and a bit more, and make sure you focus the applications well to your type of business. Also I would recommend in this climate to keep you ears and eyes open and don’t be too trusting with information as you might feed a competitor!

For information about funding a good place to start is Business Link which has a section on finance and grants go to:

Visit St John’s Innovation Centre for information about them and its free events

Redundancy guides and advice

Your local Business Link offers a range self employment and funding options

The Governments Direct gov website provides useful advice on job seeking, redundancy and leaving your job.

It also includes useful information on job fairs, your rights in redundancy law and possible benefits.

A free redundancy handbook is available for download on the Financial Services Authority website

Order by completing the online form or you can ring Money made clear Helpline on 0300 500 5000

The Redundancy Advice Network is based in Norwich – has a forum for both employers and employees providing a wealth of advice.

The Careers Advice website has a whole section on what to do if you are made redundant

Support programmes

Response to redundancy is a learning and skills council and ESF programme designed to support employers and employees in the process of redundancy.

Next Step is government programme offering careers and skills advice to fit your individual needs.

The Norfolk Guidance Service is one of the Next Step providers in Norfolk.

Voluntary Work

do-it.org is a useful website to go to for information about voluntary work

Voluntary Norfolk will also be able to help you find voluntary work

Useful Goal setting tools

Goal setting with SMART

When setting yourself goals use the SMART system.  Ask yourself if the Goal you’ve set yourself is:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Accurate
• Realistic
• Timebound (i.e. give yourself a deadline)

Improving Interviews with STAR

When being interviewed and asked to explain or give examples of your strengths, use the STAR system.

Describe each of the following to the interviewer:

• Situation or Task
• Action you took
• Results of that action

Finding the right job

Research

Research companies in the same area or subcontractors who may be taking people on.

Contact the job centre locally to see if this is happening.

Networking

Use people you know not to give you a job but keep you informed and meet some contacts so they think of you.

Use LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media to keep in contact with people professionally.

Applying for the job

CV formatting tips

• Keep your CV to 2 sides of A4
• Keep it clean, simple and nicely presented
• Proper tabulation and no errors on it
• Target it to the job and utilise previous experience.

Think about your skills

• Think what skills you have not just in your current job but a previous job or from voluntary work.
• Make a mind map of previous jobs and then the skills you may have from these jobs.
  Download our example mind map to see how it’s done.

A few final job application tips

• Read and follow the instructions on application forms carefully, and don’t forget to sign it!
• Think creatively – see this as an opportunity and really make every application and interview count.
• Make sure you know your strengths and what you can offer that sets you a little bit above.
• Show enthusiasm and willingness to adapt and learn

Listen to Ann Starkie of AS Careers interviewed on Radio Norfolk (15/09/2010)

Visit our Free Tips section for advice and resources relating to this interview.