Now, take a look at yourself and make a list of the skills, experience and qualities which you feel you have. How do the two lists compare? First, look at your strong points. These are what you need to emphasize in your letter of application and at interview. Think of the questions you may be asked and the sorts of answer you can give to underline your strengths.
Now let's take a look at your weaknesses. Are you short on experience? Well, two years' good experience in an up-to-date organization can be worth much more than five or ten years' experience in a company which destroyed your motivation by refusing to recognize your potential and insisting on using outmoded methods. Quality of experience is more important than length of service. What about skills? OK, you may have been out of work for a while and you may need to brush up your technical knowledge or skills. So tell an employer of your enthusiasm and willingness to learn or retrain. Do you think your age may worry an employer? It shouldn't but remember that age is always on your side if you take a positive view about it.
So what's left to worry about? Probably only your temperament. This is something which you cannot change, and if you are worried that you may not have the patience to do a certain type of work, or if you feel that you may be better suited working elsewhere, perhaps you should ask yourself whether this job is for you. Should you direct your energies to something which suits you better?
Positive attitude
Positive thinking and a belief in your abilities can be a major factor in successful job hunting. Look at the job description. How many of those responsibilities are daunting? Is there anything there that you couldn't tackle? List those aspects of the job of which you already have experience - and don't restrict yourself to thinking merely about previous work experience. There is a life outside work, and your experience there can be just as valuable to an employer.
Think also about your own character and make up. Do the requirements of this job suit you? Some jobs require patience, others require an ability to work under pressure and cope with stress; some jobs demand a self-motivated person who can work without supervision, and others need people who can cope with highly detailed repetitive work. Do the requirements of this job match up to the sort of person you are? If so, do you have any examples? Finally, ask yourself honestly if you really want this job. This can be more important to an employer than technical skill. You can train someone to do a job, but you cannot easily make them want to do it. Poor attitudes which have developed over years can be hard to change.
Careers officers in one region recently telephoned a cross-section of employers who had fired young employees during the previous 12 months. They asked why the young people had lost their jobs. In almost every case, employers said it was because of 'attitude' problems. Lack of technical skill didn't come in the picture.
One major national employer sums it up: 'Give me the "right" person and we'll train them to do the job.' If an employer wants you he will be prepared to invest in you and give you the training you require to become effective.
Further information
How to Develop a Positive Attitude, Elwood N Chapman (Kogan Page, 1988)
Professionalism
There is an old saying: 'A professional is someone who can do the job whether he feels like it or not.' Professionalism is about doing every-thing to the best of your ability. When you apply it to getting a job it means that you take time and care over your application, you prepare for your interview as well as you can, and you take pride in your efforts. It also means that you don't give up if you don't get the job you wanted at the first attempt. A professional has staying power and persistence. He can roll with the punches, pick himself up, and get on with his life and his job hunting.
When you apply for a job, no one owes you anything but you owe it to yourself to give it your best shot - even if the job is only temporary and part-time.
Prospects
You can be trained to do some jobs in a matter of a few hours. Within a week you can be up to speed and earning the full rate for the job. In a few years' time, if the job still exists, you will probably be earning roughly the same wage. You'll be no more highly skilled than before and it will be easy for an employer to replace you. After all, it will only take an hour or so to train a new recruit. In this job you have no prospects.
By contrast, some jobs require specialist skill and knowledge. It takes time to develop the expertise required so your wages may be low until you have mastered all the techniques. When you are fully trained, however, you will be a recognized skilled worker and your wages will rise to reflect the special knowledge and skill acquired. An employer who has invested time and effort in you will be reluctant to lose you. When you are looking for permanent work try to take a long view. Such jobs may pay poorly to begin with but, five years from now, you may be pleased that you opted for a job with prospects.
Further information
Your First Job, 3rd edition, Vivien Donald and Ray Grose (Kogan Page, 1997)
