Bored of your daily routine? Still not found that perfect job? Are you looking to shake up your career? Jonathan Fitchew, joint managing director of graduate recruitment and sales training specialist Pareto Law gives ten career makeover tips to help make your mark in the working world.

Jonathan Fitchew, joint managing director, Pareto Law:

1. Don the Shirt and Tie

Rule one: get a job. Yes, I know that’s obvious but what I mean is, even if you cannot find the ultimate career, at least get yourself into the world of work. Temping is an ideal stopgap, allowing you to earn money while also giving you the time to go for other job interviews. If you can, try and get a job in an area that interests you. If you want to get into politics, start with an admin job with your local town hall. If you want to make it in the media try selling space on a magazine. Just get in there and get noticed. Everyone has to start somewhere and knowledge of your chosen career will reflect positively in any job interviews.
 
2. Get your Thinking Cap On

Do some research. Think and research the career options available to you. Ask yourself which type of environment you like working in, for example a money-orientated individual is likely to prefer a target driven, commission based profession like sales, rather than a career in human resources. Once you have figured out which career path to take, look at the various elements of the job from working hours to average salaries. Speak to people who have experience in that career to find out the pros and cons first hand.

3. Put Yourself Forward

Be unconventional and show how determined you are to get the job. Phone up or just turn up at the door. You never know, you may just get an interview there and then. Many employers respond well to candidates who show initiative. From my experience, candidates who perform the best have found out more about the job by ringing up and asking what is expected of them. Startle your target employer by offering to work for free. Call it placement. Call it getting the lattés in. Call it what you like but if you are visible doing the jobs that full-paid employees turn their noses up at, you will be hard to shake off. Eventually they will either hire you or let you go. Either way you have some valuable experience and some great contacts to milk.

4. Personal Shopper

Just because you are looking for a job, doesn’t mean that you have to do all the hard work. So sign up to a recruitment agency and let them do the searching for you. After all, they have the best contacts and know which companies will be recruiting. Make sure that you are not pushed into the first job that comes along though. Take time to view the options available to you and make sure your career choice is the right one.

5. Lycra up!

It’s the age-old rule: healthy body, healthy mind. Joining a gym doesn’t have to cost the earth if you have an off peak membership, but if it’s out of your budget - start running. Getting fit and eating a balanced diet will mean you are more alert and ready to face the toughest of interviews. 

6. The Sherlock Holmes Look

The clues are out there if you know where to look. Go on-line and start searching employment websites. Don’t neglect actual company websites. Often firms with vacancies will post them on their website before anywhere else. Recruitment websites will have a range of vacancies and should be able to give you more information on the companies, culture and people behind each opportunity to help you make the right choice.

7. Check in the Mirror

Can’t see yourself working for someone else? Want to be your own boss? Consider self-employment. If you have a business concept, think seriously about whether it will work and get support before proceeding. Another option is becoming a franchisee. By becoming a franchisee you can be your own boss while being able to rely on a tried and tested method for support.

8. The Importance of Networking

Remember, it’s not only what you know; it’s who you know. Don’t be ashamed to ask your friends, vague acquaintances or even family for a helping hand. They will have developed an extensive network throughout their career, so use it to your advantage and let them point you in the right direction. Maintaining the contacts you have met and making new ones will always keep you ahead in the recruitment game.

9. Put Yourself in Their Shoes

Instead of just thinking what you want out of a career, think about what your potential employer is looking for. If you want to get into journalism research relevant training courses and make sure you have some experience of writing, like a travel piece for the local paper. If you want to get into sales make sure you can demonstrate the structured thinking and tenacity you need to succeed. Maybe you have worked in a call centre over the summer. By looking at employment from a different perspective you will stand out from the “what’s in it for me crowd”.

10. Dress to Impress

Let’s get this straight. The relaxed dress code of the nineties is fine if you are a successful dot com millionaire. If you are looking to show respect and get your foot in the door, show that you have given your appearance some thought. Usually the safest thing is to wear a suit but the main rule is show them you care about your appearance and you want that job.