How to secure your dream job
It’s the beginning of a new year and it’s a time when many people seek out a new career.
For prospective employees it is also a busy time and they have a tedious job sifting the diamonds from the rough. They receive hundreds of applications and some of them may look something like this:
“i would really luv to work for ur company.i really luv media.i hav meadia consultant certificate.i dnt have a problem to start work immediately.”
This is a real response that our ShowMe Manager received in response to his advertisement for an Online Media Consultant. Needless to say, this application was immediately put at the bottom of the pile.
In every step of the process it is important to make a good impression, from your initial email to your CV and ultimately the job interview.
Below we provide some helpful tips in ensuring your successful job application.
The CV
When it comes to your CV, there are a few things that you can remove to help strengthen it. If you want the best results, then it’s essential to get rid of the things that your potential employer will not care about.
1. Photos are unnecessary
There’s no need to include photos in your CV. Unless you are trying to get into a job where physical attraction is important, photos are just added noise to your CV. It is better not to use them in most cases. You don’t need your employer to admire your looks to get the job, after all.
2. Remove useless personal information
Your employer is not likely to care that you ate a bagel for breakfast this morning. Likewise, they probably will not care that your favourite sport is tennis. In most cases, this information is best kept to yourself unless you’re applying to a tennis or bagel company, in which case, feel free to let them know about your love.
3. Remove your varsity marks and school awards
University marks are usually only important when you’re trying for an intern position and school awards will not usually wow your potential employers either. Unless they are exceptionally interesting, like you were the national champion of something, in which case, they are likely to take note of that. However, in most cases it is better to leave these things out.
4, Remove excess contact information
Many times people will give employers their email, phone number, Skype ID, fax number, address and website. This comes off as desperate. A phone number and an email is perfect. If the recruiter wants to get hold of you badly enough, they will find a way to do it.
Less, but relevant, information will pack a bigger punch than too much information as it makes it easier to show what is essential.
In compiling your CV, there are a few things that you want to do avoid upsetting your potential employers. If you are serious about getting the job, it is vital to keep from making these mistakes.
1. You don’t double check your spelling
In fact, have someone else check your spelling and grammar. The last thing you want is to make a silly and embarrassing mistake like:
“I can fluently speak in English and spinach”
Unless your interviewer is Popeye, you’re not likely to impress them with your fluent language skills. This is another reason that you should never rely too heavily on spell-check. It won’t pick up these mistakes.
2. Forgetting the interviewer’s name
Always check to make sure you have the right name before you send them an email. It can be embarrassing to meet with Ben and realise that it’s actually Tim.
3. Sending applications to the wrong company
This happens when someone is sending out a lot of applications. Especially if you have certain applications tailored to fit a specific company.
4. Professional email
You want your email to look as professional as possible. In fact, it is better to make a business email just for business. Your employer might get the wrong impression if you send them an email from Rockandroll@yahoo.com.
5. The format of your CV doesn’t work
If you put in the effort to craft a perfect CV, it’s important to make sure that the formatting opens on all computers. An employer will not go through all the trouble to get your formatting to work.
6. Not being specific
When it comes to your accomplishments, be as specific as possible. If at your last job, you increased sales, what does that really mean? That’s not nearly as impressive as saying, “I increased sales at the company by 30 percent.”
These are all mistakes that you want to avoid making on your CV. One of the ways that you can avoid these mistakes is by having someone read over your CV to ensure there are no glaringly obvious mistakes. If you take the time to do something, make sure the time you spent on it was time well spent and not wasted.
The Interview
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to get into the job market, which is why it’s so important to make sure your interview is successful.
Here are a few things you should avoid saying in your interview – memorise them.
1. ”My apologies for being late.” You should never under any circumstances be late for an interview. It’s unprofessional and tells your potential employer that you have no regard for punctuality.
2. ”Tell me about your leave policy.” Don’t ask about the leave policy until you’ve been hired.
3. “Sorry, I have to take this call.” It’s never okay to take phone calls or reply to text messages while you’re in an interview. Your phone should be off.
4. The answer to “where do you see yourself in five years” is never “doing your job”. Rather talk about what you would like to have gained such as skills and responsibility.
5. “I hated my last job.” Never speak badly about previous jobs as it shows unprofessionalism. Besides, it’s never good to burn bridges.
6. “You provide plumbing? So you don’t make cell phones?” Your lack of research will see your CV being thrown straight into the bin.
7. When the employer asks, “What do you think you’ll enjoy most about this job?” never say “the salary, the long lunches and the longer leave”.
Having the right education and skills might get you an interview, but it’s what happens during the interview process that gets you hired.
Take a look at these key traits and make sure you portray them at your next interview.
1. Enthusiasm: Everyone loves a candidate full of enthusiasm and good energy – it’s contagious and will leave the interviewer energised.
2. Manners matters: Remember to dress the part and show positive body language by sitting up straight, making eye contact and smiling.
3. Be mature: Mature employees know how to focus and concentrate on delivering results; something all employers love.
4. Good judgement: An employer tests your judgement by asking you questions that start with “tell me about a situation or a time when…”
5. Are you loyal? If you show your employers that you can be loyal to something, whether it’s a cause, a company or a sport, they’ll like you.
6. Positive and vibrant. A positive employee is always more welcomed than one who is always feeling down. Positive employees are also more approachable and easier to get along with.
7. Do you do more than what is required? If you can demonstrate to the interviewer that you can and want to do more than what is expected of you, you’re on the right track.
8. Can you graciously handle criticism? The typical question that tests this is, “What are your weaknesses?” As a professional you have to be able to recognise the areas that need work and identify what you could do to change your weakness into strengths.
9. Are you a team player? Interviewers want to know that you’re a good fit for the team and are a team player.
10. How smart are you? A successful candidate answers questions clearly, in full sentences and with good grammar and pronunciation.
11. Time is important. Are you punctual? If not, you should polish up these skills; punctuality matters in the working world.
12. Resilience. Do you break down or persevere through tough times? Interviewers ask questions that demonstrate you can work under pressure, so think of a few examples before the big day.
13. It’s in the detail. Before sending off your CV, check it once, twice and a third time just to be sure there are no spelling or grammar errors. Interviewers pay attention to this.
We wish you luck in your search for a new job. Remember that a job is a long-term commitment so it is worth putting in some extra effort. Your prospective employee will see the difference in your application and your attitude and your chances of getting the job will be so much better.
Good luck!
Source: www.careers24.com This article was compiled from 4 articles on careers24.com. Read the original articles here: http://www.careers24.com/article/Remove-these-things-from-your-CV-and-increase-your-chances-of-getting-hired/# http://www.careers24.com/article/Top-traits-interviewers-like# http://www.careers24.com/article/Dont-say-it-in-a-job-interview/# http://www.careers24.com/article/6-scary-cv-mistakes/