This is a short information article for Neets (Not in education, employment or training).
The aim is to offer advice on how to improve your chances and make the best of opportunities whilst relentlessly job searching.
Attention all Neets:
Bear in mind that most organisations are looking for a youthful injection of talent to benefit their business. You have what it takes to get a job you deserve but you need to understand a few things.
Unfortunate bias against Neets
Employers have a set way of ‘doing things’ and their recruitment process and recruiting managers may be pass their sell-by date. They are looking for keywords, buzzwords and jargon that fits their particular role and unless you can show you meet their criteria, you may be stone walled.
Experienced candidates may be up to speed on advice of how to deal with applications, interviews and presentation but for Neets it can be a problem.
What can you do?
For Neets it’s a great idea to work through this simple 5 point check list:
- Your CV needs to show more than a list of where you went to school and what you studied. Be brave and add value with elements of transferable skills ; examples of team working, performing, volunteer work or extra curricular activities. Neets have experience but they often forget to write it down.
[pullquote]We need to delve deeper[/pullquote]
- Practice what you want to preach. Round the home, with your friends and family and whilst socialising out and about, be constantly aware of your body language and note if you look people in the eye when you talk to them. Ask for feedback from your family and friends too. How well do you listen? Do you acknowledge when you have heard what has been said? Interpersonal skills are highly regarded and missing non-verbal behaviour could exclude you. Neets need to look people in the eye and nod appropriately!
[pullquote]Employers recruit for attitude rather than skills[/pullquote]
- Dress to impress. First impressions mean a lot when you meet potential employers. Cleanliness at all levels is very important and what might be your best outfit for a night out with your mates may not be at all suitable for the office role you are coveting. Resourceful Neets polish their shoes, have a smart suit and are well groomed in preparation for the right interview.
[pullquote]Appearance is everything[/pullquote]
- Rehearse your interview skills. Interviewers like stories, in fact they love them. Practice telling stories about your successes. The very things you achieved during education, the outcomes for you and your peers. Remind yourself of your achievements and the things you are most proud of and put them into short stories that an employer can relate to. Wise Neets use transferable skills in their stories.
- Review all job applications carefully. Not every job is the right job. Be very clear about what you want to do, where you want to do it and who you want to work with. Conscientious Neets research all job opportunities and only apply for suitable roles. If the role is a good match, something you really want to do and you know you have the skills and attitude to do it, your enthusiasm and commitment will come across in your interview. A scatter gun approach is more likely to leave Neets demotivated and depressed with continual rejection. Focus on the opportunities that suit you.
photo credit: Will Foster via photopin cc