The Job Search

I know a lot of blogs have probably posted a blog like this in the past year or so but here I am to add to the masses of unemployed woes out there. So here goes…

I recently quit my not so gainful employment at one of the UK’s biggest Fast Food restaurants and find myself day after day twiddling my thumbs and asking myself what I want to do. You would have thought wanting to be a journalist would make it easier.
No, it doesn’t. In fact, I think it just seems to complicate things.

For example, today, I telephoned Vine Digital to ensure they received my application for the internship and when they asked me what internship I applied for, my mind went totally blank! Since the guy on the phone had a pretty sexy voice I felt myself blushing and feeling a bit silly (and even more so when I found his photo and saw his looks matched his voice). All didn’t seem well but he assured me calling allowed me to stand out a little which I guess can’t hurt.
I’ve applied for jobs/ internships in journalistic areas I think I would be interested in and because i decided not to write exactly the position I was applying for down, I couldn’t remember if it was a travel editor intern, sub-editor intern or just plain researcher.

I can’t say I have been totally great at Job hunting and at times I’ve been a little lazy but here are my tips I’ve found have semi-helped (although feel free to ignore them untill i get a job).

1) Try to get an e-mail and phone number of the Employer and preferably a name and call them to double-check what you need to send in (they’ll remember speaking to you when they read your application)
2) Keep your CV up to date, there are plenty of websites that can help you. Keep it basic and to the point covering all your achievements.

3) Employers are not going to know how passionate you are through your CV so the cover letter is incredibly important. Make sure you show that you have at least two of the requirements they are looking for and why you would make a great addition to the team. If they don’t feel you’re qualified enough you may not get an interview.

4). Once you have sent an application if you have not heard anything in a few days call them to ensure they have received your application and when they are likely to get back to you (keep on calling back after they said they would until you get a yes or no).

5). You’ve got the interview and they already feel they know you, wear something professional that you’re comfortable in and add something which will make you stand out. This can be a quirky piece of jewelry, tie or belt. Make sure make up is subtle and hair doesn’t look like you’ve just woken up.

6) If you get the job, it’s up to you! If you don’t, see if you can contact them and ask why you haven’t and what you could do next time.

Any how, I am not going to bore you with a detailed account of my job search (which is partly why I haven’t written lately) and hope the tips have helped!

Next time, I should be blogging from Budapest in Hungary so if you live there or going to be there around the 9th of October and want to meet up just email me or leave a comment below!

Over and Out!
Nathalie Lot