Starting your Job Search

If you're looking for a change and want to make an impact in the lives of others, then you should consider becoming a teacher or an assessor.

There are many ways that one can become qualified to teach. For example, if you have experience in early years, beauty, health and social care or other related fields, then it may be possible to earn certification by completing and passing the Level 3 Award in Education and Training or the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement.

Completed your Level 3 Award in Education and Training?

Now that you've completed your Level 3 Award in Education and Training or the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, it is time to start looking for jobs.

I am a teacher. I was trained as a teacher, and now I teach teachers how to find teaching jobs after teaching them to become teachers..

My name is Matt, and I'm here to tell you about the best way for you to find a job. It's not easy, but it will be worth your while!

First of all, if you're thinking about becoming an teacher or assessor then it's important that you know what kind of qualifications are required by employers. A basic rule of thumb is that you need to hold the qualifications that you wish to teach or assess. It makes sense, how can you verify that your learner is good enough if you don't know yourself?

Secondly, there are many different ways that people go about finding work. There are multiple job sites to find jobs at such as www.Indeed.com, www.prospects.ac.uk.

The Hidden Job Market

The hidden job market is simply made up of job vacancies that are not conventionally advertised. Employers don’t always advertise because doing so can be very expensive. There are advantages of the hidden job market but the main one is that you can get into jobs before it gets competitive. But it means you need to be more active and network. LinkedIn is a good place to start.

1. Utilise your contacts

Get your contacts to pass on any job leads that they hear about. They should let you know if they hear that someone is quitting/taking an extended leave of absence, pass on business cards or postcards for you and provide you with helpful information, such as the name of a department head. Also ask your contacts to suggest other places to apply and introduce you to additional contacts

2. Build your network of companies

Take a customized approach and always put quality over quantity. When it comes to applying for a job, treat each and every potential opportunity differently—it will beat out the ‘buffet-style’ anytime!”

Many people take an undisciplined approach toward applying for opportunities. For instance, they'll send CVs to 10 different jobs at the same company. The human resources person or internal recruiter will question their true interests in the jobs applied for. They'll also feel the person is just throwing things against the wall to see if it sticks. They’ll believe the candidate must be desperate, doesn't really care about working for this specific company and is most likely doing the same thing with a host of other places too. 

3. Get professional

The first step to improving your professional online image is to have a professional online image in the first place. This means creating an account on LinkedIn, updating your resume with current skills and qualifications, and using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter responsibly. Next, you will want to make sure that all of these accounts are connected so that they can be easily found by potential employers. You may also want to consider adding links from your blog or website to these profiles as well.
Lastly, it's important not only what you post but how you post it. Keep posts short and relevant for the most part (no one wants a long rant about how much you hate Mondays). And try not include any personal information such as phone numbers or addresses.

4. Introduce yourself

Introduce yourself using your first and last name. Provide your connection to the person you are speaking to. Let them know you are looking for a new opportunity or a new position in the field. Give a brief description of your skills and experience. Explain why you have called them for help. Ask them if there is a good time for you to call them back and follow up. Send them a quick note. Lastly, follow up and say thank you. It makes you stand out.

5. Build relationships

Build relationships, once you've started making connections, build that relationship, scope them out on LinkedIn, comment on their posts and show value. Make them understand how knowledgeable you are. Share valuable information that potential employers want to know and it will make you seem like an expert. The purpose? When a job comes up, they will know who to call. Remember, inappropriate comments will turn potential employers off so make sure you remain professional.

6. Set your SMART plan

How long do you give yourself to find a job? How many employers will you contact? You must plan. If you don't plan, you are less likely to be successful.

7. Consider IQA

Consider an IQA qualification, any IQA qualification will put you at the top of the job market. All training companies need an IQA and the more qualified you are, the more valuable employers will find you. think of it this way, you have made the shortlist to the final two people, you are both the absolute same, same experience and same qualities but one has an IQA qualification. Who would you pick?

Find out more about our IQA qualifications here.

Wrapping up

The first step to finding a job is figuring out what type of work you would like to do. This can be done by researching different careers and reading about the daily tasks, skills required, education needed, salary range and employment outlook for each job. The second step is to find your dream company or companies that offer these jobs. You can use social media sites such as LinkedIn or Facebook to research potential employers in your area. Keep in mind that most companies have specific requirements for applicants so make sure you do your homework.