Get The Job
Friday, September 12th, 2008If you are on the lookout for a new job, are anew graduate just entering the job market for the first time or are out of work and hoping to improve your situation, the tips in this article can help you to get that job you really want.
Check your resume for mistakes
Before handing over your resume to prospective employers, look it over at least three times to ensure no corrections are needed. After considering the position you are trying to secure, you should tailor your resume to meet the needs of the company. For instance, if you are trying to get an accounting position, then your accounting experience should be highlighted on your resume. Remember that grammar mistakes, spelling errors and typos should all be fixe and that your resume should be no longer than one and a half pages.
Tackling the interview challenge
A study by a California staffing and consulting firm found that 1,400 CFOs were for the most part in agreement about the top mistakes made by interviewees. Among these were showing up late, knowing little about the company or the position for which they were applying and arrogance during the interview. In an interview, body language is very important - applicants must show confidence (but not be overbearing), maintain eye contact, have a firm handshake and avoid crossing the arms (which looks like a defensive posture). Clothes are also important; it is far better to be overdressed than underdressed for an interview.
Answer questions smartly
Being nervous can make you perform poorly in an interview; even to the extent of forgetting the questions you have been asked in the interview. You can prevent this by being well prepared for the interview. Do your research on the company and the position you are trying to get. It’s OK to admit that you don’t know the answer to a question when asked - you can tell the interviewer that you will get back to them with an answer. You should always make sure to emphasize the skills you have which the company asked for in their advertisements.
Getting the necessary referrals
Securing a referral from a current employee is one of the best ways to land an interview. Companies receive hundreds of resumes for open positions but 35-60% of these vacancies end up being filled via referrals. If you don’t know anyone at the company, ask around your acquaintances to see if any of them know someone there - keep in mind that a referral from an employee will make it much more likely that you will get that job.
Online application
More and more companies have started requiring job seekers to send applications and resumes online. The first impression is now conveyed by your initial email rather than a personal appearance. Your email should be as polished and articulate as any business letter. When applying online for a position, follow these tips:
Complete your sentences and do not abbreviate.
An email which is very casual may cause a prospective employer to pass you by in favor of an applicant with better email communication skills. Even if you are communicating by email, keep your emails professional.
Get directly to the point
Get to the point. Don’t write a story to try to get the employer’s interest; they will probably just be annoyed by this and keep looking for candidates who have a more direct approach. Tell the employer what you want and do it in a clear, concise, professional manner.
Getting that dream job can be a bit of a struggle, but keep your eyes on your goal and don’t give up. It is better to wait for a while and end up with the job you really want rather than to take a job right away which will leave you unsatisfied. Make the right decision about your future and then act decisively.