Job recruitment process

A beginners guide to the job recruitment process

Most jobs will be advertised and recruited for the similar ways. Once you understand the recruitment cycle then it makes hunting for jobs much easier. As a single parent coming back into the workforce you might be looking to more flexible working hours then full time and there are many more options available.

There are many different reasons why someone might be looking for work. It might be because you fancy a different job, maybe you have been made redundant or maybe you are a single parent coming back into the workforce after a period out whilst raising your family.

If you are a single parent returning to work then you will have extra considerations to take into account such as childcare arrangements and work life balance.

How do decide what job I might want to do?

If you are going back to work after a period of unemployment then you might need to spend some time thinking about what kind of employment you would like. Have you done some in the past that you want to get back into or try a completely different type of job?

Think carefully about what skills and experience you have and what kind of job this would be good for. Remember that you will have developed many useful skills as a parents such as time management, conflict resolution and multi-tasking!

Remember that the jobs market moves on very quickly so there might be different jobs available than in the past. Do some research before making any decisions.

How do I searching for jobs?

When employers are looking to recruit staff they will advertise the vacancy in a number of different ways. What you have to do is know where to find the jobs so you see the ones that are most suited to your skills and experience. There are many different ways of searching for jobs and you should make sure that you are trying more than one to make sure that you don’t miss any jobs. You could try:

The jobs section of the local papers to see what sorts of jobs are out there and what skills and experience they are looking for and what the salaries are like.
Local and national websites advertise a huge range of jobs and you can subscribe for weekly updates.
Local jobs fairs are a great way to meet employers and easily make contact with a variety of organisations.
Employment agencies will take your CV and help match you up with employers looking for your skills set.
Jobcentre Plus have access to many vacancies around the UK
Speculative CV’s where you send one to an employer before they advertise
Using contacts that you have as word of mouth is very powerful

How do I applying for jobs?

Once you have found the right job that matches your skill set and experience then you will have to formally apply for it. The two main application processes are using:

Applications forms – These will differ for each different employer and will have to be completed individually each time you apply for a different job. They take a similar format asking for information on your education and employment history and have a section for you to write a supporting statement about how your skills and experience match the person specification.
CV’s (Curriculum Vitae) – This is a 2 page summary of your education and employment history which, with a few changes each time, will be the same for each employer. You can produce a general CV in advance of applying for a job and just tweak it depending on the job requirements so it good to keep this up to date

How do I make a good impression at an interview?

The majority of jobs will ask you to attend an interview if your application or CV is shortlisted. This is where you will meet the employer and be asked a series of questions about your suitability for the role and you might have to do a presentation or perform a task. It is your opportunity to sell yourself and your skills so make sure you are well prepared and are ready to show them why you are right for the role.

Why not try this free online course to help you?

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