The individual seeking employment has many routes for researching job vacancies. The following are some of the sources that job vacancies can be known by individuals seeking employment.
Sources for Job Vacancies
Newspapers – The most obvious source for the job seeker is checking out job advertisements in the classified section of the local newspaper.
On-Campus – Students seeking employment can take advantage of the career advisors on campus who can guide new graduates in seeking suitable employment.
Recruitment Agencies – Recruitment agencies can prove to be of great assistance when seeking employments. The range of vacancies available at employment agencies varies from permanent to temporary vacancies.
Government Job centers – Apart from assisting unemployed individuals by providing unemployment benefits government job centers also provide job vacancies to assist the unemployed in gaining employment.
The Internet – The Internet today provides a myriad of job-seeking opportunities. Most companies upload their vacancies on the corporate web site and there are several sites that list job opportunities worldwide.
Understanding Job Advertisements
Job advertisements usually are divided into two parts which explain the job description and the individual specification. For the job seeker, it is important to understand the conventions and jargon used in such advertisements to determine whether he or she will be suitable for the job.
It is important to note that desirable attributes are not required; however, the more skills one has that match the criteria specified in the job advertisement mean a greater opportunity for being selected for the interview.
Writing a Curriculum Vitae
Though the difference between a Resume and a Curriculum Vitae can be confusing, it’s still worth understanding. A curriculum vitae is a summary of one’s personal data, education, qualifications, and work experience. A CV should be brief and provides factual information to a prospective employer. A basic CV would include the following sections:
- Personal information
- Work Experience
- Education and Training
- Personal Skills and Competencies
- Personal Interests
- Additional information
- Referees
Most CVs are written in a chronological format starting from the most recent work experience or qualification; however, it is also possible to draw up a CV in a functional format by highlighting particular skills and experiences related to the job vacancy.
Writing Letters of Application
Letters of application should be positive in tone and indicate to the reader why the individual is suited for the specified job. An effective letter of application should give some indication of the applicant’s personality and communicate the skills of the individual that will prove as an asset to the employer.
Applying for a job ultimately involves the practice of several communication skills that include writing effective and persuasive letters of application, summarizing one’s skills and experience in a resume, and finally face to face interaction during the interview.