Table of Contents

Dedication and Acknowledgement Testimonials Introduction and Foreword Contents PART 1 - PREPARATION Chapter 1 - The Landscape in the UK – It’s Never Too Soon – There’s Never Been More Opportunity Jobs are everywhere! Published vacancies The world of hidden vacancies Timing – it’s never too soon or too late to start Government incentives Chapter 2 - Things Within Us That Help Us Succeed or Stop Us Succeeding – Be An Implementer! The best qualified, most lucky and connected people don’t get the best jobs! Yesterday has gone, learn from it but don’t go back there Family and friends peer pressure Self-awareness, self-management and time management The importance of looking after yourself Chapter 3 - Overcoming Personal Barriers and Beliefs – Get Rid Of Objections There are no jobs The jobs on offer are not good enough for me/don’t pay enough I have no experience I don’t have the right/enough qualifications I have no money I have no connections I’m just not good enough Additional needs PART 2 - ACTION Chapter 4 - Your Mission In Life, Your Life Plan and How Your Career Fits Into That How to produce your life plan Your time line Your tracker Chapter 5 - Your Chosen Career Path – The Nicher The Better Put yourself in a box – your niche The importance of your story The danger of job-hopping Portfolio careers Being unique Chapter 6 - You’re Ready – The Marketing Plan You are selling and the employer is buying The Product and Packaging – the CV and letter The Product and Packaging – your elevator pitch The Product and Packaging – LinkedIn profile The Product and Packaging – Facebook and Twitter The Product and Packaging – your email address The Product and Packaging – your phone number and voicemail The Product and Packaging – your business cards The Product and Packaging – your brand The Product and Packaging – your appearance The Product and Packaging – your voice The Product and Packaging – your mannerisms The Product and Packaging – your habits The Product and Packaging – your knowledge of trends The Product and Packaging – testimonials and sponsors/mentors The Audience The Audience - top businesses The Audience - top people The Audience – experts The Audience – recruitment agencies The Audience – colleagues and friends The Audience – school/college/training provider The Audience – industry events How to Make Yourself Visible to The Audience – The Sales Process The Touch Points in The Sales Process The Sales Process – face-to-face at networking events The Sales Process – e-shots The Sales Process – letters The Sales Process – phone calls The Sales Process – job applications for specific jobs The Sales Process – Twitter and LinkedIn approaches The Sales Process – volunteering The Sales Process – referrals from someone who already works there The Sales Process – personal visits Summary of the sales cycle Consistency of the sales cycle Daily timetable Chapter 7 - Closing the Sale – The Interview The role of the interviewer Looking at things from their perspective The interview itself and how to conduct it Etiquette and behaviour Questions to ask and passion Assessment centres Presentations At the end of the interview Afterwards – follow-up Chapter 8 - Even when you have a plan things won’t always go to plan – expect and prepare to handle this with Emotional Resilience Give yourself a timetable and diarise it Celebrating achievements – cards and ceremonial ticks! Don’t let opportunities bypass you – keeping your eyes open Stuff will get in the way – don’t let it! Doing the important and not urgent things NEXT! You will never run out of leads to pursue so if someone says no, just move to the Next! How long will it take though – I haven’t got months and months Measure what works and do more of it Ratios Setbacks and how to deal with them Further training considerations Keeping motivated Other people’s annoying questions! Always take learning points from failure No might mean ‘not yet’ Rocket fuel Chapter 9 - After the Job Offer – The First Few Weeks – Be Indispensable! The employment contract The probation period The first days Punctuality Listening and note taking Checking in with your manager Keeping a diary and writing a report The importance of managing your manager Your finances Your next job If you don’t like this job Chapter 10 - Some Guarantees, Timescales and How To Apply These Skills Elsewhere My 100% guarantee Timescales How this approach can improve other areas of your life Pay it forwards PART 3 - TOOLS Chapter 11 - Purpose of your CV Content of your CV Length of your CV Chapter 12 - Your Communication Methods Covering letter Cover letter template Your email address Your emails Your voicemails Business cards Application forms Chapter 13 - Your Online Presence Be careful! Facebook Your profile picture LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Video (YouTube) Chapter 14 - Interview questions for you to ask Questions you might be asked MiddletonMurray Apprenticeship case studies About The Author