Starting your career in a difficult job market

Today's job market is challenging and competitive. Slow economic growth and reduced public sector have removed many of the opportunities that, until a few years ago, helped many planners progress their careers.

However, opportunities are out there, and a proactive apporach is needed to find them. Some positions are advertised, some are filled through recruitment agencies. Some employers do not need to advertise, they appoint on the strength of a speculative CVs and phone calls from candidates. With more planners chasing fewer positions, what can we learn from those who are able to find jobs in planning and develop their careers?

Andrew Dorrian, RTPI student member graduating from Newcastle University started his planning degree at Newcastle University in 2006. "The university gave me an extremely useful piece of advice - maximise all opportunities possible to increase your chances of finding employment". Andrew clearly took this advice to heart; he became a student representative within the university, joined the RTPIs Young Planners Network, and became involved with the RTPI North East Region.

"By volunteering for these activities I built up useful contacts said Andrew. I have seen real results from my work with the RTPI and other voluntary roles, securing employment at Transport for London as part of my placement year. Volunteering shows real commitment to the profession, develops your skills and really enhances your CV."

On his return to university, and recognising the difficult job market, Andrew returned to part-time paid employment in a supermarket. "I have also been able to volunteer with Sunderland City Councils planning policy team added Andrew. This provided Andrew with invaluable experience in researching and developing planning policy, and advanced his understanding of the mechanisms of local government."

Andrew's experiences are shared by many other graduates looking for opportunities. So what advice can they offer to those looking for their first job, or to move their careers forward?

1. Target a few employers and focus your efforts on them.
2. Ensure your CV is up to date.
3. Send you CV to your target employers, rather than responding to job adverts.
4. Tailor your letter & CV, and any other materials to the company and the role that you are applying for.
5. Do your research so that you know all the relevant information about the company.
6. Be positive at the interview. Make a good impression by shaking hands and making eye contact.
7. Answer the questions by using examples where possible.
8. Dont be afraid to contact employers more than once to make sure they have current information about your circumstances.
9. Be honest, there is no need to exaggerate your abilities.
10. At worst interviews are a good networking opportunity.

The employer persepctive

How do employers decide who to interview? Opinions vary, but in 2010 the RTPI carried out a survey of employers in Wales to get a better understanding of how the economic climate had impacted on employment opportunities. Although the survey was carried out in Wales, the responses are representative of many employers throughout the UK and Ireland.

The survey asked employers to rate the importance of the following categories when deciding which applicants to interview for any vacancy.

• RTPI accredited degree.
• Non-RTPI accredited degree.
• The classification awarded.
• Relevant work experience.
• Membership of the RTPI (for graduate level positions).
• Corporate membership for middle and senior planner positions.

The categories were to be rated as Essential, Very Important, Important, Fairly important or Not important. The following chart details the responses.

The results offer an insight into how employers are responding to the competitive job market. Although employment criteria can vary, depending on the job and the employer, the results of this survey demonstrate the value employers place on RTPI accredited degrees and RTPI membership - with many employers make RTPI membership a requirement for jobs at some levels.

Further information on the survey and the results are available from the RTPI Survey of Employers in Wales 2010.