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Put together a portfolio
A good portfolio can help you stand out in a crowded jobs market. It demonstrates both your professionalism and your pride in your work. However, there are some important do’s and don’ts:
Do ✔ Highlight projects that best show your suitability for the job you are applying for ✔ Be specific about your role – most projects are a team effort ✔ Create a PDF of your portfolio so you can send it with online job applications
"MORE CANDIDATES ARE SUBMITTING PORTFOLIOS WITH THEIR CVS WHEN APPLYING FOR POSITIONS. THEY CERTAINLY GRAB MY ATTENTION… AND THEY’LL OFTEN BE THE FIRST WE CALL TO DISCUSS THE ROLE" Kirsty Hall, founder of property recruitment consultancy KDH Associates
Don’t ✘ Overdo the explanatory text – talk about details at interview ✘ Throw your portfolio together; give it a consistent look and a logical order.
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About creating a portfolio: http://bit. ly/1z7wyas
Standing up in a packed council chamber or pitching to potential clients is daunting. With the right preparation, you can calm your nerves and improve your performance. Developing the skills to make a persuasive pitch or lead a debate can take you a long way in your career — not least because others often lack these abilities. There are five golden rules when it comes to presentations:
(1) Set objectives
as you build your case.
Establish goals and back up points with supporting evidence.
(3) Start strong
Focus on two or three key messages and explain your point of view from the start so you keep your audience engaged
Sites like LinkedIn and Twitter offer opportunities to reach out to an active community of planners, architects, designers, environmentalists, builders, journalists, academics, policy-makers, campaigners – and, of course, potential employers and business partners. Your online profile and your posts can build your reputation within the planning industry. At the same time, by being active on social media you can keep up to date with industry news and views.
You don’t have to be on every social media site but LinkedIn is essential — it’s the place where professionals go to make connections. It’s also a key tool in professional recruitment – your CV and your activity on LinkedIn are likely to be scrutinised by potential employers.
Find out more About Twitter: http://bit.ly/1zVYdOe About using LinkedIn: http://bit. ly/16TdWTO
Find out more
Polish your presentations
(2) Create a structure
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Improve your online networking
Aim to grab the attention of your audience and keep it. Try starting with a quotation, a question or a personal example.
(4) Practice Film yourself making the speech beforehand to
Best practice on social media n n n n n n n n n n
Keep your profile up to date Check in regularly Keep it professional Listen and respond, don’t just talk Share useful content Target specific audiences Follow thought-leaders Join professional groups online Check out potential new jobs Build up endorsements and recommendations
improve your delivery - smart phones mean it's never been easier to do this. See where you can pause for effect or vary your tone to avoid monotony.
on reading out your speech word for word. What’s more, with the right level of practice you’ll be able to handle questions with confidence.
(5) Do your homework
Find out more
You can never be too prepared. If you know your stuff, you won’t have to rely
About improving your presenting skills: http://bit.ly/1AXxd3Q
THE PLANNER CAREERS GUIDE 2015
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