Steps to employment

1. Get to know yourself - analysis of personal competencies

Get to know yourself well, your personality traits and abilities.

1. Skills - what do you know and do well?
2. Values - what is important to you?
3. Interests - what do you like to do?

2. Labor market research

It is necessary to monitor current developments and trends in the labor market. Knowing and monitoring the factors that directly or indirectly affect the labor market (economy, demography, technology, globalization, environment, politics, social affairs, values, etc.) is key to understanding the future of an area.

3. Getting to know and analyzing the desired profession

By analyzing your desired profession, you make sure if you are interested in the field and if you would really like to do it. Information on occupations can be found in the standard classification of occupations, on the websites of human resources organizations, and above all, friends and acquaintances who are already practicing your desired profession are also a good source.

4. Education and training that are fundamental for career planning

Knowledge is becoming obsolete very quickly today, so it needs to be renewed and updated. Strive to acquire knowledge and skills in other areas that are or are not directly related to your education or desired profession.

5. Gaining work experience in the desired future professional field

You can start gaining your first work experience e.g. with professional practice (practical training), student work, volunteer work in a company, work on projects, volunteer work and the like. Target summer and other student work so that you will gain useful and necessary work experience for later employment during your studies. So try to choose jobs that suit your future profession.

6. Different ways to look for a job

We know passive and active methods of job search.

Passive forms are characterized by companies posting a vacancy, candidates then submit applications and expect feedback from job providers.

Active forms are much more effective than passive ones, as the individual tries to establish contact with a company that has a staffing need, but has not yet started to actively advertise the vacancy on the labor market or look for a suitable candidate.

Some of the passive forms of job search are:

• applying for job advertisements;
• job search via the Internet;
• job search through an employment agency;
• job search through the Employment Service of Slovenia, Centers for Information and Vocational Counseling (CIPS-i), job search clubs and
• sending bids blindly (sending a general offer that is not tailored to the company and does not target a specific job).

Active job search methods:

• networking (a way of finding a job with the help of people we know);
• (career) job fairs;
• targeted communication with companies (the candidate calls the company, informs them that he is aware of their problems and suggests a solution) and
• self-employment.

7. Writting CV, offer or job application

How do I prepare a CV?

With CV you introduce yourself to the employer in person. We know different forms of CVs:

• Europass CV - Agreed form of European "curriculum vitae" or you need a European Union CV if you are applying for a job or education within the EU. Basically, in the EU CV, include the elements you have prepared for your regular CV and adapt them to the prescribed format. This form of resume is the easiest to create and use.
• Chronological CV - The chronological form of a CV is the most commonly used form. It is easy to read and beautifully illustrates the rise of a candidate's career. Choose it if your target job is an upgrade of past work experience.
• Functional CV - Choose a functional CV format if your career path is not climbing or you are working in several different areas at the same time. It is best suited for students and job seekers with little work experience.

It is important to present the following areas in your resume:

• personal data,
• working experiences (list in order from last work experience to first),
• education (list in order from last education to first),
• Knowledge of foreign languages,
• social and organizational knowledge and competencies,
• computer skills,
• other knowledge and competencies,
• leisure activities (sports activities, participation in associations, etc.) and
• driving licence.

You can also add a recommendation to your resume. It is a letter with which a person who knows you (eg professors, mentors from companies in internships, superiors from companies where you have done student work and others) recommends you for a specific job.

Cover letter (job application)

In the cover letter, the candidate introduces himself to the employer. The purpose of the cover letter is to explain why you are applying for the job and why you are the right candidate for the job. Before writing an application, try to get as much information as possible about the organization to which you are addressing the application. The cover letter must always be tailored to each employer individually. You need to try to motivate the company to invite you for an interview. Emphasize your strengths or what you can contribute to your employer with your work.

It is important that in the letter you explain:

1. who you are, at what job you are applying for and where you found the ad / post;
2. why you are suitable for a particular job (based on your experience and skills that would be useful to you for the job you are applying for, and any past work experience / success in similar jobs);
3. why you want to work for their company, what you could do for them and
4. recommend yourself for a personal interview and add your contact information.

8. Preparation for a job interview

Job interview

It is important to prepare well for the job interview, namely to do an analysis of yourself and the employer. It is necessary to know your own characteristics, values, skills and interests, as this makes it easier and better to answer the questions asked. In any case, find out about the organization, the field of operation, through all the sources available to you (websites, publications, employees). Remember, first impressions are very important.

If you want to make a good impression on a potential employer, send a thank-you letter after the job interview to reaffirm your interest in the job.

9. Preparation for employment (employment contract)

With the employment contract, the candidate undertakes to the employer to perform his work diligently and regularly, so it is necessary to be acquainted with the current legislation, especially with the Employment Relationships Act (ZDR).