With many advertised roles requiring the stock standard resuméand cover letter from candidates, it’s easy to feel like you’re just ‘one of the crowd’ when trying to find a job. However, it sometimes takes a little bit of creativity – and a sprinkling of courage – to catch employers’ eyes as you hunt for your ideal job. Here are some quirky job-finding tips that you can utilise when pursuing your next role!
- Get connected
Whether it’s via networking sites such as LinkedIn or your social media platforms, there’s no better way to find out what jobs are out there than going online. A LinkedIn profile allows you to showcase your skills, experience and education to your connections and beyond, while the website also does the searching for you by generating specific job vacancies that match with the skills listed on your profile – win! Your socials can be a powerful job-finding tool, too – you can express your interest in finding work to your network of friends and followers, while also being alerted to job vacancies advertised via statuses or tweets.
- A little self-advertisement can go a long way
When it comes to finding a job, it’s important to put your name in front of recruiters. If you’re looking for work in a creative field or have a portfolio of experience to share, consider starting your own blog or website. Having one place to showcase all your work, while outlining your skills and experience, is like a visual CV that promotes you and what you can do. If you’d like to find a job in industries such as journalism, writing, design, fashion, beauty, food or film, a blog or website may be the perfect way to catch a potential employer’s eye.
- Customise your CV
Human resources managers no doubt tire of seeing the same resuméformat on repeat, so give yourself the edge over other job hunters by creating a CV that is actually interesting to read. Present your CV in a creative and engaging way – try recording a video, creating a PowerPoint presentation or even using a design that is eye-catching and pleasant to look at. Don’t be afraid to add a touch of humour, but do remember to include the important details such as contact information, skills, education and work experience history.
- Step out from behind your computer
In this day and age of modern technology, it is so easy for us to fire off an email or text instead of making a phone call. However, when it comes to finding a job, making that call could be the difference between nabbing that interview or being one of many unread emails in an employer’s inbox. While cold-calling may seem daunting, it is a great way to make yourself known to a potential employer. A phone call should do the trick, or you could take it one step further by organising to meet face-to-face (if time permits, of course). At worst you could be told ‘no’, but at best you may find yourself with a new job at your ideal company.
Need a qualification that’ll back you up during the job hunt? Explore National Training’s range of industry-recognised diplomas to find a course that complements your career aspirations.
