Ask Yourself These Questions

What jobs suit me?
Ask yourself what is really important to you and what you are willing to do. Everyone has unique motivations and ambitions. Yours may be different from people you know. Writing your ideas down or having conversations may help you capture your thoughts.

Help making decisions
Try what jobs would suit me?, a tool designed to assist you with the decision-making process. After answering a series of questions, see, which jobs might best, match your preferences. Compare two jobs side-by-side or start by considering an employment sector. Your friends and family may help you identify the key deciding factors for your career planning and may point out strengths that you take for granted. Your university careers service has a wealth of resources to support career research and planning. As well as talking to a careers adviser, you may gain insights from psychometric tests, which focus on aptitude, ability, or personality. Ask which psychometric tests are available or have a look at psychometric tests.

What do different jobs entail?
Learning what people actually do on a day-to-day basis is a crucial step in your job search. Understanding jobs is the best way to ensure you make the right decision for you. It is also essential for writing strong applications, which persuade a company or organization that you are a good fit for the job. Get more details about jobs you are considering at explore types of jobs. Be sure to read the case studies. Alternatively, you may start your job search by looking at all the related jobs in a sector at explore job sectors.

How do I use my degree?
You may want to directly apply your subject-related knowledge and skills to the world of work. Ask your university careers service for the results of previous surveys, which may provide some insight into what people with your degree have gone on to do. Visit what do graduates do? to view national survey results of what students on your course have pursued. Also, find out about options with your degree by looking at options with your subject.

These 10 tips will make sure that your job chances stay on the right track.

You have decided to look for a new job. But, in the haste to land your new job, you need to make sure that you have covered all the bases and approach your job search in a patient and professional manner.

1. Develop a job search plan
The old adage "fail to plan, plan to fail" is as true now as it has ever been. If you know where you want to be and the job you want, it is easier to get there. Therefore, split your job search into short- and long-term goals and identify the actions you need to take in order to reach them.

The more you know about your goals and the more ways you search for your next job, the greater your chances of finding your ideal job.

2. List your achievements
Employers want to know if you have the skills and experience they are looking for because they need to determine "What can this person do for my business?" They want to see evidence of jobs you have done that went above and beyond the basic requirements of your job role.

Look back over the last 12 months and pick out any notable successes or special projects that you were involved in -- this can then be used to show an employer when you are at interview stage. After all, if you have a trumpet to blow then blow it.

3. Revamp your CV
Your CV is designed to do just one thing: to get you an interview. The average recruiter will only spend between 20 to 30 seconds glancing at a CV which means that you need to make an impression quickly and sell yourself.

Writing a winning CV can be a challenge. But, by putting the mileage, in you will have a document that will make potential employers take action and invite you for an interview.

4. Decide the type of company you want to work forYou spend almost 70 per cent of your time at work during the course of a year, so it is important that you work in an environment and culture that you can enjoy and thrive. And, that means targeting organizations that match your goals and career values.

After all, you don't want to find yourself embarking on the same exercise again this time next year because you made a decision in haste.

5. Use the Web
OK, so you are already on the Web but are you really using it to your advantage as a tool to help you get your next job? No? Then post your CV online, create your own personal account on different job boards and keep up to date with developments in your chosen field by reading the online community pages which will also give information about working in different sectors within your industry. Knowledge is power, they say.

6. Network
Talk to friends, call old work colleagues and attend industry trade shows or networking events. Networking may sound daunting but the more events you attend the easier it becomes. And, the higher up the corporate ladder you move the more and more everybody knows everybody else and a referral from one of your contact could help your career.

7. Customise your CV and covering letter
It may seem tempting to simply cut and paste the same CV and covering letter to several employers, but it could cost you in the long run. Tailor your CV to the job you are applying and only include relevant information that will demonstrate how your experience links to the advertised position.

For instance, if you are applying for a marketing role, make sure that your CV has a marketing bias highlighting your experience in this field.

8. Dress to impress
Shakespeare once said: "Apparel oft proclaims the man." Your image is the outer reflection of your inner self allowing people to judge and make assumptions of your personality and attitudes. Dressing successfully (or unsuccessfully) can make or break your interview. Dress for the job you want not the job you already have.

9. Stay positive and avoid neg-heads
Job seeking is never easy and there will be times when you will want to give up and resign yourself to staying in your current job. But don't give up.

Experts estimate that the average job search can last anywhere from two to 10 months. So be patient and have the belief that you will find your dream job just around the corner. As Henry Ford said: "If you think you can or you think you can't, you're probably right."

10. Be good to yourself
Searching for a job is a job in itself and, unless you take a break away from it, you could start to feel exhausted and burnt out. Don't allow it to consume your every waking moment. Allow time to relax with friends, listen to your iPod or go to the gym and participate in activities that you enjoy. Clearing your mind and replenishing your energy will enable you to resume your job search feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.