The Sunday Times
26 March 2006

Select a target then give it your best shot.

A scattergun strategy to job hunting will do you no favours - it's vital to be specific from the outset, writes Barbara McCarthy

Job hunting is a serious business for those who want to get ahead in their career, according to John Buckley, an executive coach with Momentum Business Coaching.

Many people waste a lot of time unnecessarily when they are pursuing a job, he says. Instead they should take a focused approach. Find a target and then give it your best shot. According to Buckley, the scattergun approach rarely works.

Although the employment market is buoyant, it is important to ask yourself some searching questions before you even consider making a move.

Those who don't may end up in the wrong job and aching to move again. Job-hopping rarely looks impressive to potential employers.

"Ask yourself if you would be confident working outside the sector from which you have come," said Buckley. "Also ask yourself if you are willing to take on projects or consulting assignments."

Buckley believes it takes eight to 12 weeks to find a general management position, through those in more focused field may find a position sooner. "If somebody is a technical specialist and is willing to work in multiple locations, then they need to give their job search four to six weeks," he said.

This is a good time to take stock of your career to date. "Write down what you biggest achievements and contributions are and figure out how you want to use them," said Buckley. Then make sure you have an excellent CV, he adds.

In America, a survey by McKenzie Scott, the country's leading recruitment firm, found that of 10,000 executive CVs posted to its sites over a two-month period, more than half failed to list the titles of the jobs they were seeking to fill.

More than 75% of CVs omitted to list any key skills, strengths or knowledge components that would have impressed a potential employer. Only one in 100 had a well-developed communication strategy, which could sell the applicant to a potential employer.

Sending CVs to companies that advertise positions on the internet can be a waste of time if not done properly. Only one in 500 executive-level positions is filled that way.

Cara O'Leary, an executive consultant at Sigmar Recruitment, says sending a CV outside your own network is not worth the effort.

"Submit your CV to two or three well-established search firms," she said. "Find out which ones are the reputable agencies and view their jobs. Often there are duplications on the internet, so don't apply for the same job several times.

"We see about 100 jobs altogether coming in per week. If you are out there looking, it can be quite tough."

Paula Egan, the Managing Director of Celtic Careers, advises job-seekers not to spread themselves too thin. "If you join too many agencies you are the one who will have to do the chasing," she said.

Meet a senior consultant at a good agency, build a good relationship with them, and they will work on your behalf, she advises.

"You need to be very specific and tell the consultant exactly what you are looking for," said Egan. "Otherwise you will be offered opportunities you don't really want."

Don't go for an interview unless you really want he job. "It is easier to meet with a career strategist and discuss interview techniques rather than doing a few interviews to warm up," she said. You will get a good evaluation and you won't waste anybody's time.

Ireland is a small plac and those who go for interviews and don't take the job - or who try to use it as a negotiation tool with their employer - can get a bad reputation very quickly.

David Barrett, the Managing Director of MBSC Career Services, based in Dublin and Galway, says senior people should contact the Chief Executive or Head of the Department directly. "It is highly unlikely you will find a senior management job advertised with a general recruitment consultancy," he said.

Use your free time well. "If you are a senior person and find yourself out of a job, try to look for project-based or change management work within a sector where you have lots of experience," said Barrett.

"Offer to do part-time lecturing for a business school or do some work through a mentor scheme through the County Enterprise Board or Enterprise Ireland," he said.

Establish good contacts with universities and business federations. "By going to one point, you can gain a large amount of visibility among potential employers," said Barrett. "Your name is recognised and you can make a good impact. People will hear about you this way."

Initiating peer contact within a targeted employer organisation can be a great way to start networking. "You probably have a friend who works in the same industry, which will give you the opportunity to gain new contacts," said Barrett.

If you want to cut out the middle man, then it can be valuable to apply to a company directly, says Barrett. "This way you won't have to deal with competition," he said.

If you send a letter to the person in charge, show that you have the necessary experience, knowledge of the industry and quantifiable achievements, then you many buy yourself an interview. Once in the door, you can sell yourself. If the interviewer likes what they see, they may even create a job for you. But make sure you outline exactly what you can offer them and what kind of job you want.