The job market is currently crowded and one of the most important job search strategies you can use is to make sure that you stand out from the crowd and show Hiring Managers that you are a candidate who should definitely be selected for an interview.

Preparation / Job Analysis

For each of the preferred job options that you are researching remember to check out:

• _{The range of various job titles used to describe one specific job.}
• _{What industries tend to employ workers in this role.}
• _{Who is looking for candidates; remember to research both organisations and recruiting agencies.}
• _{Identify the skills, experience and personal attributes that are commonly sought for this role.}
• _{Request copies of the job description, where available.}

Be Organised

• _{Keep a file of historical job adverts and notes from previous searches, conversations and site visits.}
• _{Think about the roles that most interest you and identify skills and attributes that employers are consistently asking for.}
• _{Use this information to drive your CV and cover letter content, job search and interview question answers.}
• _{Do some research on other advertised positions.}

Use Google

Sometimes the most effective way to explore jobs across the internet is to simply key in job title e.g. 'Event Manager jobs NZ' and all possible recruitment and company sites will be accessed by the search engine, displaying a wide range of results for you to look through.

Use On-Line Job Sites

Use the most popular on-line job sites, e.g. SEEK or Trade Me, to check out real, available jobs in the marketplace, versus hypothetical ones found on career sites.

Make a note of organisations and recruiters that are regularly advertising the jobs that interest you and that match your profile and use this information to drive your job search.

Job Vacancy and Recruitment Websites

CareersNZ has an excellent and comprehensive resource on their website that includes links for sites related to specific job searches including: specialist jobs, jobs by industry, job sites for migrants, jobs for students, jobs for those aged 55 years+ etc.

How to 'Reality Test' Job Options

You wouldn't buy a car without test driving it so why jump into a job or invest in tertiary study without doing some prior reality testing? Often, the problem is ‘how do I go about it?’ and job seekers may feel reluctant to ask strangers for assistance. However, experience shows that, people are generally very supportive and willing to talk about their jobs and careers to any interested job seekers  - so don't be afraid to ask questions! 70% of all employment placements are gained through internal appointment, networking and direct contacts, whereas only 1 out of every 12 informational interviews results in a job offer.

Reality Test Workplaces, Culture and Jobs

• _{Develop a list of organisations and industries that interest you, to set up a chat or a site visit.}
• _{Ask your extended family, friends, neighbours, colleagues etc. for their contacts who work in a job, organisation or industry that interests you.}
• _{Use LinkedIn and Facebook to find out who you are connected to and locate people to talk to in an industry or organisation of interest.}
• _{Locate an organisation that has someone doing the job that interests you (look on their website or phone and ask the reception team). Contact the company and book in a time to talk to them about their job.}
• _{Where appropriate, visit the public spaces of worksites which interest you e.g. public hospitals, cafes or event centres. Hang out and get a feel for the place and its people.}
• _{Identity recruiters who consistently place job adverts for an organisation you are interested in. Ask for their opinion about the organisation's culture; average tenure length and turnover volume can tell you a lot.}
• _{Get a part-time job, do work experience, volunteer or do a one-off shift with and orangisation you are interested in (that is open to the idea) to observe the workplace and talk to employees at work.}
• _{Look at an organisation’s website for related information about their policies, values, CSR and other internal/external programmes.}
• _{Do a short course or university paper in an area of interest to test your initial interest.}
• _{Canvass jobs inside your existing organisation by work shadowing, job rotation, secondment or informational interviewing.}

Use Informational Interviewing

• _{Informational interviewing is just what it sounds like – it is an interview designed to produce information about a job, career path, industry or organisation.}
• _{Informational interviewing is a highly focused conversation that provides you with the information you need to reality test your next job or career move.}
• _{Berkeley University website describes the process and Step 3 has a great link providing lists of questions you might like to ask.}
• _{Prepare your questions before each interview.}