Looking for a Job? Follow These Tips to Boost Your Chances of Getting Hired
Looking for a job can be an exhausting and frustrating experience. At times, it may even feel impossible, but it’s definitely not. However, if you prepare properly, you can eliminate most of the stress and find the path a little less steep. Follow the suggestions below to feel more confident in presenting yourself to the working world.
Do you feel you could use help in getting your resume and cover letter in excellent shape before you start your job search? Reach out to our experts for all the support you need.
Network, network, network!
Today, more jobs are being filled through networking than ever before. Recruiters are busy, and it’s much easier to hire someone who comes highly recommended by a person already employed at the company. It saves hiring managers time (and money) as they don’t have to scan hundreds of resumes and cover letters to find a suitable applicant. In a way, your connections can be even more important than your qualifications.
So, keep all your old connections and develop new ones. When you leave a job, resist the urge to smirk triumphantly at your boss or give them a piece of your mind—even if you never liked them, they may still give you a good reference. There are endless opportunities to meet new people who can help you get a job, too. Check out professional events in your industry and browse LinkedIn for colleagues you can connect with.
Look outside of the business world as well. Talk with people in your golf league or connect with the parents of your kids’ friends. You never know where you might find a connection and the opportunity to pursue a new job.
Update your LinkedIn and social media
If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, create one! This social media platform allows companies interested in you to take a closer look and get more information. If you already have a LinkedIn profile, update it to include any new skills, competencies, or credentials. Your LinkedIn profile can constitute a valuable addendum to your resume, and since you have a lot more space on LinkedIn, you can provide all the information you’d like a recruiter to see.
Are you on social media? Check your Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and any other platform you use for any objectionable or inappropriate content and delete it or set your account to private. Companies google applicants, and you don’t want to doom your job search because you presented yourself unprofessionally. Try to do your cleaning well in advance since it may take weeks before the Google search results are updated.
Refresh your resume and cover letter
You need to make sure all information on your resume and cover letter is current and relevant. Include all new skills, competencies, and credentials. In addition, personalize the cover letter by including the name of the hiring manager. It may be listed in the job posting, but if it’s not, do some research to find it—if necessary, call the company’s HR department. Remember to change the name of the hiring manager and the company in your submissions if you’re applying for several jobs. Inserting the name of another company or manager in your cover letter is a sure-fire way to lose the job.
If it’s been years since you sent your resume out, look at new ways to format it. Get familiar with the current style, and make sure your resume is clear and legible. Aim to show the hiring manager that you have kept up with the trends. You want your resume to stand out, but not in a bad way.
Keep ATSs and keywords in mind
Applicant tracking systems (ATSs) are used frequently in today’s business world. Companies rely on these programs to screen job applications when they initially come through, scanning them for relevancy and discarding any that don’t seem like good matches for the job. For this reason, you need to pay close attention to the job description. It will contain several keywords, which are usually skills and traits the company is looking for in applicants. You want to include as many of those keywords as you can.
If, for example, the company states that it wants a “reliable” person who has experience with “spreadsheets,” incorporate those words into your resume and cover letter. You don’t want to be eliminated from the race because the ATS dismissed you before a person even looked at your qualifications. You should include as many keywords as possible to get past the ATS while simultaneously producing a well-written resume that will impress the hiring manager.
Brush up on your interview skills
While you might not know what an interviewer will ask, you can run searches on the internet and come up with some probable questions. Work out your answers to these questions ahead of time so you feel prepared. You don’t want your responses to feel scripted, but you also don’t want to be caught off guard.
It’s also a good idea to be ready for an in-person or an online interview. If it is in person, dress appropriately and show up ahead of time. If, however, it is online, get comfortable using video conferencing tools such as Zoom. Practice with a friend and make sure you have good lighting, a plain background, a stable internet connection, and no distractions.
When the interview is over, write down the names of all interviewers so you can send them a thank-you note. It is imperative that you spell their names correctly. Sending a thank-you note isn’t mandatory, but it’s a great way to put yourself ahead of the competition.
Research the company
Use any and all resources to research the company where you’re applying for a job. Proper research provides you with information you can use in your cover letter and interview. This will show the hiring manager or interviewers that you are meticulous and took the time to learn about the job and their company. You can find information on the company’s website and in online articles, and you can also look at the LinkedIn profiles of employees.
This also benefits you in that you will learn about the company’s culture, salary ranges and benefits, and specifics as to what it does and where it is going with its products or services. Doing research prepares you for what’s ahead and helps you feel confident. Through your research, you may even discover that you don’t want to work for that company after all, in which case you will save the time and energy necessary to apply.
Continue to build your skill set
Has it been some time since you worked? Can you do more to boost your skill set? Take some online or community classes that relate to the position you want to apply for. Read, connect with people knowledgeable in the field, and practice your skills wherever you can in your day-to-day life.
Also, if you can find volunteer work that pertains to the job, jump in and help out. In case there is freelance or part-time work available, start out with that and acquire more experience. All of these things help you gain more knowledge and show that you’ve gone above and beyond in preparing for the position.
Stay positive
Go in with confidence and positivity. You’ve put in the work, and your efforts will eventually pay off. Let the hiring managers know that you are motivated and hard-working and that you will be happy to learn the newest programs or take any training they provide. In many cases, a positive attitude and a strong work ethic can tip the scales in your favor.
No matter what you do as you search for your next job, try not to get intimidated or discouraged. Keep looking and applying. Competition is fierce, but if you keep at it, your perseverance will be rewarded. If you follow the steps above, you are likely putting your best foot forward and will find a job that suits you. It’s important that you make a great first impression, which usually requires a superb resume and cover letter. Are you having trouble getting started or polishing them? Contact our experts for all the assistance you need.
