Making sure that you are on top of your applications and ready for interviews can make the process much less stressful and it will give you a great deal of positivity and confidence along the way!
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are applying to new job positions!
Apply, apply, apply
Before you can even worry about perfecting your interview etiquette and wowing your potential future employers, you need to remember that applying to jobs is a numbers game.
Make sure your resume is clear, concise and easy to read before you start anything else. Then, find a few reliable sources for job postings (LinkedIn, career pages on companies that interest you, Landing.jobs, etc.) and make sure to check back every day.
Even if you send out ten applications in one sitting, it’s important to come back to these sources frequently since new jobs are posted every day.
It’s equally important not to take too long to apply after a job is posted since it’s virtually impossible to tell how quickly the company is looking to start the interview process and fill the position. Even if a company that particularly interests you hasn’t posted anything new in a while, it is still beneficial to check back frequently in case the perfect role for you pops up.
If you’re too busy to send out dozens of applications a day (as most of us are), try to find a goal that works best for you and stick to it. If you’re using Landing.jobs’ platform, you can also change your privacy settings and let companies apply to you!
Sell your skills
No matter what positions interest you, it’s important to remember that you aren’t just meeting the people who received your resume, you’re selling yourself and your qualifications.
When you reach the interview stage, the employers have already seen your resume and considered you for the position, so you have to figure out how to best make that resume come to life and set yourself apart from other applicants.
Make sure that you prepare for this moment by thinking of relevant stories and characteristics about yourself that you can share with the interviewers. These will help attach interesting and lively memories to your interview and form a connection with the employer.
These stories can be about turning points in your life, awards you have won or special experiences you have had.
Anything that is relevant to you, your growth and the characteristics that make you a good choice for the position are fair game, so get to brainstorming!
Attitude is critical
First impressions are important in all areas of life and can sometimes make all the difference in potential relationships right at the start.
They are especially critical at job interviews because this is possibly the only impression that you will be able to make before decisions are made. Even if it is a multiple interview process, you still need to score that second interview.
Be clear. By being upfront with your expectations, circumstances and desires with the company, you are more likely to make a lasting impression. Be specific with what you can offer and what you want out of the role in turn.
Be honest. It’s much better to state your faults and gaps in knowledge than to get caught in a lie. Employers can often tell when a candidate genuinely knows what they are talking about and when they are lying, so it’s best to ask questions and seek help for improvement if you need it.
Be enthusiastic. Nothing will turn employers away from you faster than seeming bored or disinterested in the company or position. If you aren’t energetic and excited at the interview, chances are you won’t have the motivation to do the job as well as possible.
Of course, also make sure to be polite and to thank the interviewer for their time and investment in you. Interviewing can be an exhausting process for the employers as well, and appreciation can go a long way!
Develop your skills
Experience and education may be the bulk of your resume, but it’s important to leave some room to mention your best skills. Before you can do that, though, it’s important to develop skills that make for a good talking point.
One skill that many people overlook for its simplicity would be communication and listening skills. While experience, education and talent are all critical, they don’t mean much of anything if you can’t listen and communicate properly.
When an employer or leader is looking for someone to add to their team, they want people that pick up the job quickly and communicate any needed information effectively.
No matter what your strengths are or which position you are hoping to land, it’s important to strengthen your skills to a point that makes you proud and confident when in front of an employer!
Ask questions!
Before any interview, it’s important to make sure you research the company so you can come in with a clear and obvious understanding of the work done there.
Part of this is finding things that you find are key elements you want to learn more about and to take note so you can ask the interviewer questions.
Figuring out your questions beforehand will also help you determine how good of a fit the company is for you. Some jobs and positions may seem great at first glance, but it’s important to know before walking into the interview just how passionate you are about the role.
All of this research can be done through quick google searches, going through the company’s website and looking at LinkedIn profiles of the people who will be interviewing or working with you.
When you ask well-informed questions, it shows that you have a genuine interest and dedication to the company. If you come in with few, vague or no questions, it implies that you didn’t do a solid amount of research and don’t have enough interest to learn more.
When deciding on the candidate to hire, employers will absolutely remember the individuals who showed keen interest and asked thoughtful questions!
In summary
Job applications are tough, tedious and often exhausting, but going into the job hunting process prepared will ease a lot of the anxiety.
Make sure you are applying to jobs regularly, selling yourself as the best candidate, conducting yourself in a positive and memorable manner, developing important skills and asking the important questions and you should be good to go.
Good luck, and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more helpful content!
0 Comments