Job hunting can be a stressful process. One may often feel insecure, out of their comfort zone, and completely clueless about what is to be done next. However, the most important thing needed at this time is self-confidence and a positive outlook. People looking for work have a lot to think about. From sending out their resumes to going on interviews, there’s a lot to do and even more pitfalls that can hurt your chances of getting hired. Use the helpful suggestions below as you try to find work in this difficult economy.
Prepare your presentation
A resume and cover letter are your first opportunity to make a good impression on a potential employer. Your resume should be well-written and formatted, and it should include all of your relevant work experience, education, and skills. Your cover letter should be personalized for each job you apply for, and it should highlight why you are the perfect candidate for the position. Knowing how to write a work experience personal statement can be very beneficial because you will have a head start with your cover letter and it can also help you get to know yourself better. In it, you should describe your past jobs, as well as educational and volunteering experience in detail. Explain how you acquired the skills needed for the position you are applying for. If you have any volunteer experience or internships, be sure to mention them as well. The more information you can provide about yourself, the better.
Understanding the job market
Always aim to take on your next job as if you were already doing it now. Find out as much as you can about the company and what is expected of those working within it. It’s also very important that you start envisioning yourself in your new role because this will give you a clear goal to aim toward. A simple way to do so is by imagining what type of person would best fit into the position you are applying for – think about how you will present yourself during an interview and try to determine whether or not you have these qualities.
Be honest about your skills
Don’t try to cover up your weaknesses, as hiring managers often know what to look for. If you have a hard time dealing with stress on the job, admit it and express that you are working on improving this part of yourself. Also, be prepared to answer questions about why you feel you can do the job if given the opportunity. Research has shown that people who take a humble approach when answering questions during an interview have a higher chance of being hired than those who boastfully say how qualified they are for the job.
Do your research
Even though many websites offer you advice on how to write an application letter, cover letters are no different from one another. The truth is that they are all meant to do the same thing – convince a hiring manager why you would be great for the job. However, even though it may seem like everybody knows what a cover letter is used for, not everyone understands how important they are in getting you hired.
Make sure your cover letter has no spelling or grammatical errors. Also, don’t recycle your work history or skills into multiple resumes or cover letters because this can give off the impression that these things aren’t strongly valued by you as an individual. If someone offers insight during an interview and cannot provide information that is relevant to the job they are applying for, then that person will most likely not receive a callback. Make a cover letter about your abilities and how they relate to the position you are trying to get hired for.
Prepare yourself financially
It’s important during this time of unemployment that you carefully plan to make extra money without requesting additional funds from potential employers. Always make sure that you have enough money saved up in case an opportunity arises where you could pick up another job in addition to the one you’re currently working at, just in case you need more money than what your current employer can provide for you. Also, carry cash with you at all times so that when a good opportunity comes along, such as a job opening, you can comfortably take it without having to worry about what your financial situation is going to be like.
Dress appropriately for interviews and send a good first impression
When in doubt, dress a step up from what you think is expected. For example, if you are unsure whether or not to wear a suit to your interview, it is probably best that you choose the suit option over more casual clothes because this will make you appear more professional and give off the impression that you always aim to succeed.
When planning out what questions to ask during an interview, make sure they are relevant to your particular situation. Don’t bombard your interviewer with random questions about company policy unless they are directly related to things like how many vacation days or sick leave hours you would get each year if hired on. Remember that even though these types of things may be important later down the road when it comes time for them to take effect, it may be a better choice to first find out if you will even enjoy working for the company.
First impressions do matter
Make sure that your outfit is classy and clean before you leave your house. Employers want people who are willing to go above and beyond what’s expected of them during their job. To show this, always make a good impression as soon as you walk through an interviewee’s door by looking as professional as possible from the moment you enter the room. That means no gum chewing, excessive perfume, or cologne use – all things which can give off negative vibes about yourself before someone even gets a chance to meet you face-to-face.
Don’t overshare too much about yourself or your personal life. You should avoid talking excessively about your family or friends by only mentioning them in the context of what they mean to you, and how they have helped you grow into the person you are today. Avoiding these topics altogether works best because potential employers don’t want to hire somebody who spends most of their time hanging around people who lead them in a negative direction. Imagine asking an interviewer if they babysit on the weekends!
Avoid over-expression when communicating with hiring managers. It can be easy to get excited when answering questions during an interview, especially when it comes down to things that pertain directly to you as a person. However, it’s important not to show too much enthusiasm for fear that you will come across as desperate or overly-eager. An interviewer should see your face light up when asked about yourself, but make sure that it’s more subtle if you want to avoid coming off as desperate.
