Further reading

Week 7: Finding the STEM opportunity you want

Week 7 Introduction

Last week, you looked at how networking can help you to tap into the hidden job market, and how you should make sure to give as much time to this aspect of returning to work as you would looking for advertised vacancies.

This week, you will be practising and developing skills in locating, and applying, for work, and hopefully also finding some valuable information sources that you can use in the future. Who knows, while practising these techniques you may just find the job you are looking for! Searching for employment is really like a job in itself, a project that needs management. With that in mind, you might want to make use of the time management techniques that you identified in Week 5. In fact you may wish to consider looking for a job as a marketing campaign on behalf of yourself!

Listen to Sue talk about finding and getting jobs:

The first part of the work for this week is all about finding job vacancies and where to look for advertised posts. You’ll also be going back to LinkedIn to see how you can research and reach companies or other organisations that you are interested in working for or with.

In the second part of the week, you will work on tailoring your CV and applications to specific vacancies. Your CV will be your best marketing tool, regardless of whether you are planning to respond to an advertised vacancy or an opportunity that comes up via one of your network of contacts. It will also be important if you are planning to go on to further study or retraining. Whatever your next step, you will need to be able to present your career story in the best possible light.

By the end of the week you should:

• be familiar with a range of online job search resources
• be able to adapt your CV for a specific purpose
• be able to write a cover letter and a speculative application
• know the importance of preparation in order to perform well in an interview.