Craig Ashley Russell: Me in the SMH – 11th Paragraph.
Hi Tom,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I wish there was a magic button to getting a job, I really do. I wish there weren't a thousand clichés and tips.
There's a book written in the 70's by Richard Nelson Bolles called 'What Colour is Your Parachute?' and has just been updated for for the current economic crisis. It's a practical manual for job hunters. It is an interesting read if no other reason Bolles explains the way job seekers go about getting a job and the way employees go about filling vacancies – in short, the they are completely opposite. The job seeker thinks a CV is the best way, the reality is a employer will use a CV as the last way to fill a position. Firstly they will promote from within, second using proof of experience, third by referral, fourth via a head-hunter (ahhhhhh – but that's another story) fifth using an add and sixth from a pile of CVs they have received.
My interpretation of this is to get a foot in the door and work your way up. Use a portfolio of past work if you have.
I think where all these books and websites and tips fall down is in their generality. I don't know what industry you're trying to get into so maybe a portfolio is not relevant. I would suggest you keep blogging, use LinkedIn and check out this blog.
Apart from that all I can do is wish you all the best in your search and remember these three things (which may make me sound arrogant but wtf):
1) NEVER, EVER GIVE UP!
2) BE YOURSELF, PRETENDING FOR TOO LONG IS TOO HARD.
3) STAY FOCUSSED ON YOUR GOALS AND YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. And if you need help with goal setting (I sure did) read Goals by Brian Tracey available from audible.com as a talking book via download right to your iPod.