Valentines special How to find your perfect (job) partner University of Manchester Careers Blog

Valentines special How to find your perfect (job) partner Whether you are looking for a job  for life or a more short term engagement, its important to choose carefully and plan your approach. Sometimes you can tell at a glance that a job is not for you, wrong hours, wrong location, or you just dont have the skills. However, some jobs grow on you. The more you get to know about them the more interesting they seem, you start to understand who they are and what they are looking for and realise that you could be a match! There may be times when you are not that choosy, as long as the job  fits some basic criteria its game on.   However, you still have to win them over, why should they look at you when there are so many other likely players! Understand your needs    What does the job you want look like? Understand their needs What does the employee they need look like?   How can you convince them you are that person? So how can you narrow your chances of finding your perfect match and get rid of all those time wasters! Try a dating agency   AKA let someone else help you.   Use a matching tool  Prospects planner Target jobs report do basically the same thing match you with job roles  that should match your likes and dislikes.   Its a great way to see what options could be  open to you and what the requirements are.   You may however not fancy all of them! Use a matchmaker.   If you are confused about the options or just cant make a choice talk to us, we can help you see your options more clearly. Try a recruitment agency   For some sectors, or if you have a specific skill,    or want a short-term contract agencies can be a good source of opportunities. Choose carefully to maximise your chances of success. A bit of speed dating Recruitment and information fairs     A great way to talk to lots of people about different opportunities.   You may find a match there and then or at least narrow down the options for a decision later. Events on campus Recruiters are practically falling over themselves to get a chance to meet you.   Make them feel loved and go along and see what they have to say. You could be the one they are looking for! Networking It doesnt have to be scary no power dressing and breakfast meetings required. It can simply be having a chat and being interested in people you meet. You can use social networks (carefully) its not a blunt tool it requires a little finesse. Kiss  a few frogs AKA get some work experience Between a bit of  volunteering, a part-time job, an internship  or vacation work experience you can learn a lot about what you like and dont like and how businesses and organisation work. You will start to build a picture of  who and what  you might be interested in. All Careers advice Graduate jobs I don't know what to do Undergraduate career planning careers employers job hunting networking work experience