3 Tips to Gain Employment

3 Tips to Gain Employment The current state of the economy has left many people out of work and struggling to find alternative employment. For those who have recently graduated from college or university, the demand for jobs is extremely high, leaving many to engage in voluntary work simply to gain experience and stand out against other candidates. Although the media would lead us to believe that the job market is doomed, there are ways to improve your chances of getting hired. Whilst it may still take time, a position may be achievable if the right steps are taken. CV Presentation and Formatting It is essential to keep a CV straight to the point and concise. Whilst it may seem tempting to make it as colourful and detailed as possible, it is important to consider the industry or sector that you are applying to. For example, roles within the financial services sector will not require a CV that is filled with fancy images, charts and boxes. However a design company may be impressed with such formatting. The preferred type of program to use to create a CV is Microsoft Word, which allows users to format their resumes with ease. Example Work Due to the competitive market, employers are having to come up with different ways to identify talent. In addition to a well written CV, you may be required to produce a portfolio of all relevant work and projects that you have undertaken in the past. Be selective as to what you include and tailor this to each role you are applying for. This portfolio can be digitalized and sent as an attachment in most circumstances. This will give you the opportunity to flesh out the points that you made in your CV and provide examples which, in turn, will increase your visibility. Get Online and Get Involved It is common for employers to check a candidate’s social media accounts to see if they have an invested interest in their chosen field. If you regularly keep up to date with industry developments, be sure to share them amongst fellow individuals and companies who are relevant to the subject area.   Blogging is also a great way to show a potential employer that you are genuinely interested in a particular subject area. However, take care when posting information, comments and opinions as they must appear professional. It may be worth setting up separate accounts for both personal and work related topics, just to be on the safe side. We are all aware of the struggles and difficulties involved with job seeking but certain techniques can really boost the chances of employment. Persistence, enthusiasm and a positive attitude will see you through. This is a guest post by Nicola Winters on behalf of Phoenix Student Store who provide discounted  software for teachers  and students. 4