You will not get a job without an interview (in some shape or form). Learning how to get an interview is the first step in your job search. There are hundreds if not thousands of web sites and resource materials to tell you how and what to do.
It is important to understand that if everyone did the ‘right’ thing, then everyone would get an interview …but we know that doesn’t happen.
The person who gets the interview is the person who differentiates themselves from the competition by being just a little smarter or strategic in their approach to their job search.
Here are 10 points to consider when preparing for your job search. Each point could give the employer a reason to chose you versus your competition.
- Be specific about the job you are applying. Show you have knowledge of what the employer is looking for. An “I can do anything” attitude is meaningless to an employer.
- Understand your strengths and what you are good at and express them in your resumé. Confidence without arrogance goes a long way in presenting you as potentially good employee.
- Know the company to which you are applying. The more you know about the company and the industry the more attractive you will appear. This can easily be accomplished in your cover letter mentioning something that shows you have done your homework about the company.
- Customize your resumé to draw attention to and highlight the skills and experience you feel relevant to the job.
- Pick up the phone. Don’t be afraid to call the hiring manager after you have sent your resumé to follow-up. No one will fault your persistence and professional approach.
- Don’t rely on job boards as your only source of leads…applying to them puts you in competition with hundreds of other candidates and little chance of standing out.
- Use social media to your advantage. We all know the curse of an inappropriate post or picture. Social media can help paint a picture of the ‘professional you’ and create a positive image. Employers will check your FB page.
- Be a networking ‘fanatic’. Every successful person succeeded with the help of other people. Every successful person has a good network. Nothing can be more important to have the resources of other people available to you, when you need them. Build and maintain a great network. Your network.
- Pay attention to details and follow-up on everything. Leave nothing to chance. This kind of behaviour will make you a valuable employee and will serve you your whole career.
- People will remember you if you behave better then your competition. Standout and be remembered. You will succeed.