Seven steps to success

Step one: self analysis

Before you start frantically searching through your local paper and applying for any jobs going, it is a good idea to think about what you really want to do. Make a list of your interests, skills, achievements, experiences, goals and values. Ask yourself - What is important to you? What are you enthusiastic about? What do you want from an employer? It is these things that can make you stand out as the ideal candidate for a job. Knowing what you want to do gives you much more focus when applying for jobs - saving you time and energy.

Follow the self-analysis techniques as described in the 'Making career choices' section will help you to think about the type of employer that will offer you what you want. Think about:

• what you want from work e.g. training/9am-5pm working hours
• where you want to work
• an appropriate and realistic salary

Realistically, no job is going to be perfect. For example, you have applied for an office job with training, leading to a recognised qualification and benefits of a pension/healthcare. However, the salary is less than you were expecting. Consider if the advantages outweigh the disadvantage of the initial lower salary.

Step two: get organised

It is best to think about job-hunting as a job in itself. Set aside time to:

• make phone calls
• research different jobs, companies and vacancies
• write and send out letters, CVs and application forms,
• prepare for and attend interviews

This is all perfectly manageable if you give yourself a daily schedule. Plan the days and times that you are going to work on your job search. Give yourself deadlines for each task.