Hi all, thanks for the kind words!
Cardiffsteve, how did I find so many positions to apply for? Well, firstly register for every job site there is, set up searches for anything within your field and apply for everything, from the position below your experience level (so you can get in and learn the business before moving up) through to the position above what you know (as you may just get a shot at it). Then look at any company you know and respect and apply direct to them, firstly for any vacancies they have listed, and secondly just make speculative applications, you never know if something may come up!
Make sure your CV is strong, no more than 2 pages and definitely covering your competencies and show evidence of why you are good at them (its no good saying 'I am good at developing people', much better to say I have a passion for developing people, which is evidenced by the 3 Full Time staff I have developed to Deputy Manager positions and the 3 Deputy Managers I have coached to get their first Store Manager positions'. Your CV is all most HR / Recruiters see, if it is good then they will ask you to interview, even if its only a small %age, Ive now got 145 applications in, rejected for 20, had 5 interviews, another 2 today plus a phone interview later on, and another 3 scheduled for next week, with the majority of applications still being prior to the cut off date.
Remain positive, stay focussed and go for it no matter how you much you may think you dont stand a chance.
Cardiffsteve, how did I find so many positions to apply for? Well, firstly register for every job site there is, set up searches for anything within your field and apply for everything, from the position below your experience level (so you can get in and learn the business before moving up) through to the position above what you know (as you may just get a shot at it). Then look at any company you know and respect and apply direct to them, firstly for any vacancies they have listed, and secondly just make speculative applications, you never know if something may come up!
Make sure your CV is strong, no more than 2 pages and definitely covering your competencies and show evidence of why you are good at them (its no good saying 'I am good at developing people', much better to say I have a passion for developing people, which is evidenced by the 3 Full Time staff I have developed to Deputy Manager positions and the 3 Deputy Managers I have coached to get their first Store Manager positions'. Your CV is all most HR / Recruiters see, if it is good then they will ask you to interview, even if its only a small %age, Ive now got 145 applications in, rejected for 20, had 5 interviews, another 2 today plus a phone interview later on, and another 3 scheduled for next week, with the majority of applications still being prior to the cut off date.
Remain positive, stay focussed and go for it no matter how you much you may think you dont stand a chance.
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