There's nothing more satisfying than doing a job you enjoy and feel passionate about, so whether you're a graduate looking for your first step on the career ladder or an established professional looking for a fresh and exciting career opportunity, there's never been a better time to make the move.
The job market is flourishing, especially in sectors such as IT, so if you have a passion for people and technology it’s a great time to find your dream job.
Some IT jobs require industry-related qualifications, computer science degrees or software diplomas, so it's important to find out if these are necessary before applying.
Even without academic qualifications you might be able to secure an entry level IT job, providing you show an enthusiasm for the work and are abreast of software trends.
Firstly you should decide what job you want to do and what skills you need to do it. For example, many jobs in IT, such as web developers, will require a good understanding of HTML and CSS. You'll also need to have a working knowledge of content management systems (CMS) and programming.
While sending speculative letters to companies you'd like to work for can be a proactive approach, it's not always the quickest or most efficient way to find employment. It pays to use web portals such as Jobsite, a leading UK online recruitment site, to point you in the right direction. Sites such as this take the hassle out of job hunting and use intelligent search and match technology to help bring recruiters and potential employees together quickly and easily.
Once you've decided what jobs you should apply for, it's important to spend time on your application. A sloppy effort with poor spelling, sloppy grammar and cluttered formatting will not impress and may mean your application goes straight on the reject pile.
If you’re a graduate or you feel under-qualified it's important to show that your passion and people skills make up for this. Companies will often take a chance on the candidate with fewer qualifications if they feel they could be a good fit for the company.
Dress smartly for interview; although many companies employ a casual dress code for day to day work, wearing a suit or smart clothes for the initial introduction will stand you in good stead. It’s best to play it safe.
During the interview listen to what the interviewer has to say – often nerves make us ramble or fail to listen carefully, so try to stay relaxed and let the interviewer lead the process. Only interject when the time is appropriate. Good eye contact is also important, but don't invade the interviewer’s personal space.
After the interview it's worth jotting down any points that were raised, making a list of questions you wished you'd asked, and writing down the names of your interviewer or interviewers. This will stand you in get stead should you be shortlisted for a second interview.
If you’re successful in your application you can decide to accept or decline the job, discuss salary and other benefits and decide on a start date convenient for you and your employer.
If you’re not successful, don't give up. Finding the right job is a bit like finding the right partner; it can take a while to find someone you click with, but once you do the relationship can last for many happy years.