Etiket: iş bulma

How to Land a Job: Insights from 30 Years in Recruitment

James Reed, the founder and chair of Reed, has spent three decades in the recruitment game, witnessing the highs and lows of job hunting. He emphasiz

James Reed, the founder and chair of Reed, has spent three decades in the recruitment game, witnessing the highs and lows of job hunting. He emphasizes the importance of aligning your skills and experience with the job description, urging candidates not to exaggerate or lie—regardless of whether the position is temporary, casual, or part-time. Reed believes that honesty is the best policy, especially when you find yourself face-to-face with a potential employer. He notes, “Someone gave you your first opportunity; that’s all I’m looking for.”

In his view, crafting a standout CV is crucial. “Make sure your CV says who you are. It should be one page long and something you feel proud of,” Reed advises. While he’s not too bothered by the occasional spelling mistake, he stresses that attention to detail is essential. Proper grammar and clear communication are vital skills that he finds many candidates lack, but they’re necessary for success in any career.

Reed warns that interviews are a pivotal moment in one’s career, a “life-changing conversation.” He encourages candidates to prepare thoroughly for the classic interview question, “Tell me about yourself.” If you go in unprepared, he says, you’ll likely meander through your response. The biggest pitfall, according to Reed, is the belief that “the world owes you a living.” Instead, focus on how you can solve problems for the employer.

He also critiques the trend of young people flocking to universities, suggesting that many should consider apprenticeships or trades instead. “Opportunities are shrinking for too many young people,” he remarks, referencing a major report on the so-called ‘lost generation.’ With job vacancies hitting a five-year low, the job market is tougher than ever.

Good communication skills can give you an edge, Reed emphasizes. “If you’re all about ‘me, me, me’ in an interview, you’re unlikely to move forward.” Collaboration is key since nothing is achieved alone; you’re always part of a team. Furthermore, Reed advises candidates to develop resilience. “You’ll face setbacks in life, but don’t take it personally; it’s a normal part of the journey.”

In summary, Reed’s wisdom shines a light on the often overlooked aspects of job hunting. The landscape may appear bleak, but with the right mindset and preparation, candidates can still find their way to success. What will it take for you to stand out in this competitive job market?

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber

James Reed’in 30 Yıllık Deneyimiyle İş Bulmanın Sırları

Finding a job in today’s competitive market can feel like an uphill battle, but James Reed, founder and chair of Reed, has got some solid advice dr

Finding a job in today’s competitive market can feel like an uphill battle, but James Reed, founder and chair of Reed, has got some solid advice drawn from his 30 years in recruitment. He emphasizes that job seekers need to align their skills and experiences with the job descriptions they’re applying for. “If you’re up against AI systems, it’s crucial that your application mirrors the job description,” Reed says. But here’s the kicker: honesty is key. Lying on your CV, even if you think it’s just for a temporary or casual role, can backfire.

When Reed speaks about job interviews, he points out the importance of preparedness. “Interviews are life-changing conversations,” he asserts. “If you’re ready, you’ll shine. If not, you might just ramble.” This brings us to the classic interview question: “Tell me about yourself.” If you haven’t prepared for it, you could end up going off on tangents instead of highlighting your best attributes. So, take the time to rehearse and know what you want to communicate.

But hey, it’s not just about you. Reed warns against the “me, me, me” mentality. In his experience, good communication and collaboration are vital skills that many candidates lack. “Nothing is achieved by one person,” he notes, highlighting that teamwork is essential in any job. If you can demonstrate how you’ve worked well with others, you’ll stand out. And let’s not forget about resilience. “You’ll face setbacks, but it’s crucial not to take them personally. It’s part of the game,” he adds.

Reed also discusses a common misconception among job seekers: that the world owes them a living. “A job is a problem to be solved,” he explains. “Think about how you can be the solution for an employer.” This perspective shift can make a significant difference in how you present yourself. For those considering higher education, Reed believes we need to rethink the traditional path. He argues that not everyone needs to attend university; many could benefit from apprenticeships or diving straight into work.

As for the current job market, Reed mentions a stark reality: opportunities are shrinking. A recent report highlights a “lost generation” of young people struggling to find work, with job vacancies hitting a five-year low. This is a wake-up call for both job seekers and employers alike.

So, what’s the takeaway here? Whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time or looking to pivot your career, it’s essential to present a clear and honest picture of who you are. Reed’s advice is simple yet powerful: “Make sure your CV reflects your true self, keep it concise, and above all, be prepared to showcase your skills in a way that answers the question: what can you do for the employer?”

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber

Job Hunting Woes: How One Simple Tip Changed Everything for These New Graduates

Trying to find your first job right now can be a struggle. There’s a lack of opportunities for gaining experience, and the overwhelming number of A

Trying to find your first job right now can be a struggle. There’s a lack of opportunities for gaining experience, and the overwhelming number of AI-generated applications makes it tough for both job seekers and employers to connect. Yet, amidst this chaos, many individuals are finding their way to stand out and climb the career ladder. Take a look at four people who were stuck in the loop of sending out hundreds of applications without any feedback. They finally discovered one thing that made all the difference in securing their first jobs.

Theresa Blair, a 24-year-old from Birmingham, graduated from Aston University in 2025 with a master’s in pharmacy. After a project management placement, she realized that this path was where her heart was. However, for the next eight months, she sent out hundreds of job applications, mostly to hear nothing back. “I realized I was sending very generic CVs to recruiters, and that was making it harder to stand out from other applicants,” she shared. So, she switched gears—tailoring her CV for each job, digging into the values of the companies she was applying to, and referencing these in her applications. “I’ve learnt that you should state the skills you’ve gained from your roles and explain how that makes you a suitable candidate,” she advises. By applying for fewer jobs but investing more time in each application, she found success. Now, she works full-time at a bank’s customer service call center and is commuting three days a week to London as a project manager. “It’s a two to three-hour commute, which can be tough, but I’m gaining valuable experience at a reputable company, so I’m incredibly happy,” she says. Her advice to others struggling to land their first job? “As hard as it is, keep applying. The job market isn’t easy right now, but believe that the work you’ve put in will be noticed by employers.”

Next up is Callum Stevens, 24, from Curry Rivel in Somerset. He studied computer science at the University of the West of England (UWE) while also developing an interest in transport. Callum took the initiative to reach out on LinkedIn to someone involved in a transport planning internship at Bristol City Council. When the internship opened up again, he applied and, to his surprise, was successful. Callum didn’t have prior experience in transport planning but believes he bagged the role because he showed genuine interest and a passion to learn. The internship, paying the minimum wage, is full-time and ends in August. While there might be a chance to extend it, he’s already hunting for a full-time job. “Even though it’s not permanent, the experience has been invaluable,” he notes. “It’s as powerful as my university degree.” His advice for others hoping to land internships? Don’t underestimate the value of temporary roles.

Then there’s Joshua Hopkins, a 26-year-old from Glasgow who initially pursued a business and marketing degree in Belgium but later transitioned into an apprenticeship. He’s currently working at a law firm and is halfway through a three-year Chartered Institute of Management Accountants course to become a chartered accountant. In between jobs, Joshua took the opportunity to serve on a housing association board, providing him with a platform to demonstrate to potential employers that “young people can bring a fresh perspective, ask the questions others overlook, and add real value even without a mountain of experience.” His advice? Seize any opportunity that helps you stand out. “Reach out to people you admire, get involved in a cause you care about, or build skills through short courses. A lot of progress comes from simply being proactive.”

Lastly, we have Clover Nelson, 20, from Leeds, who managed to snag a retail job after three long years of unemployment. “I was on job sites and doing everything I could to find work, but nine times out of ten, I didn’t hear back,” he recalls. Clover switched things up by opting to go in person to chat with managers instead of just relying on online applications. And guess what? That’s what landed him the job. “Start looking for signs in shop windows; there’s no human touch when you apply online, and that can make all the difference,” he points out.

Katherine Leopold, the Faculty Employability Lead Tutor at Greenwich Business School, also shared her top tips for applying for roles. Amidst this challenging environment, organizations are struggling, and the youth employment hub is facing tough times. No new legislation on welfare reform was announced in the recent King’s Speech, and Marc Bolland is set to advise on strategies to get young people into work after a review warned of a potential “lost generation.” Will personalized early intervention help keep those under 16 from falling into the NEET trap?

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber

How These Job Seekers Finally Landed Their First Positions Against All Odds

Trying to find your first job right now can be a struggle. There is a lack of opportunities to gain experience and the huge number of AI applications

Trying to find your first job right now can be a struggle. There is a lack of opportunities to gain experience and the huge number of AI applications can mean neither you nor the employer can find what you’re looking for. Yet plenty of people are finding ways to stand out and get their feet on the career ladder. Four individuals, who had been stuck in the cycle of sending hundreds of applications and rarely hearing back, have shared the one thing they did differently to secure their first jobs.

Take Theresa Blair, for instance. The 24-year-old from Birmingham graduated from Aston University in 2025 with a pharmacy master’s degree. After a project management placement, she realized she wanted to pursue a career in that field. For eight grueling months, she sent off hundreds of job applications, often left in silence. “I realised I was sending very generic CVs to recruiters and that was making it harder to stand out from other applicants,” she reflects. So, she switched gears. Instead of the one-size-fits-all approach, she began tailoring her CV for each job, diving deep into each company’s values and weaving them into her applications. “I’ve learnt that you should state the skills you’ve gained because of doing certain roles and explain how that makes you a suitable candidate,” she advises. The result? She applied for fewer jobs but spent more time on each application, leading her to a full-time position at a bank’s customer service call center. Now, she’s commuting to London three days a week as a project manager. “It’s two to three hour commute which can be difficult but I’m gaining valuable experience at a reputable company, so I’m incredibly happy,” she adds. Her mantra for others still looking? “As hard as it is, keep applying. The job market isn’t easy right now but believe the work you’ve put in will be seen by employers.”

Then there’s Callum Stevens, a 24-year-old from Curry Rivel in Somerset. He studied computer science at the University of the West of England (UWE) but developed a keen interest in transport. Rather than just waiting for opportunities, he took initiative and reached out on LinkedIn to someone doing a transport planning internship at Bristol City Council. When the internship opened up again, he pounced on it and was successful. “I had no previous experience in transport planning but I believe I got the role because I demonstrated I was interested and passionate to learn,” he says. Though the internship is full-time and pays minimum wage, ending in August, Callum views it as invaluable experience, equating it to the power of his university degree. His advice for others? Don’t underestimate the importance of internships, even if they’re temporary.

Joshua Hopkins, at 26, is another one to note. He started a business and marketing degree in Belgium but later switched to an apprenticeship at a law firm. Halfway through a three-year Chartered Institute of Management Accountants course, he’s gearing up to qualify as a chartered accountant. In between jobs, Joshua took on a role on a housing association board, which he believes showcases how young people can offer fresh perspectives. “Young people can bring a fresh perspective, ask the questions others overlook and add real value even without a mountain of experience,” he explains. His key takeaway? Seize any opportunity that helps you shine. “You should reach out to people you admire, get involved in a cause you care about or build skills through short courses. A lot of progress comes from simply being proactive.”

Clover Nelson, just 20 years old from Leeds, found his way back into the job market after three years of unemployment. “I was on job sites and doing what I could to find work, and nine times out of ten, I didn’t get a reply back,” he admits. So, he decided to change his strategy, opting to speak to managers in person rather than just sending online applications. That approach landed him a job in retail. “Start looking for things in shop windows; there is no human element when applying online and it can make all the difference,” he says.

Katherine Leopold, Faculty Employability Lead Tutor at Greenwich Business School, has shared her own tips on how to navigate the job application maze. Meanwhile, Jess McGhee has expressed her delight at securing work after sharpening her skills at a youth employment hub, even as the charity behind it faces “an exceptionally challenging trading environment.”

Looking ahead, could personalized early intervention help prevent under-16s from falling into the Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) trap? It’s a burning question as more and more young people strive to find their footing in a challenging job market.

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber