2019 Oct 10
We’ve often been told that landing a job opportunity is a tedious one; rightly so, to a certain extent, given that supply is much higher than demand today. However, handwritten thank you notes or 10-page CVs are surely not the way to impress your potential employer. Having said that, there are few tips and tricks to ensure a competitive advantage and most of it has nothing to do with what you do at the interview. It’s all about what you do before!
Starting the job hunt
Companies tend to advertise vacancies in business sections of popular newspapers or through job search websites so be sure to keep checking these spaces for new openings. If a company hasn’t advertised, you may be able to score an interview by emailing them your CV along with a cover letter.
Some websites for job hunting include:
Jobak.lk, Xpressjobs, Jobpal.lk, DreamJobs.lk, CV.lk and TopJobs.lk
Another way is to talk to your uncles and aunties- friends of your parents or family who may be able to put in a good word for you at their workplace.
Make a comprehendible CV
One of the most vital aspects of ensuring you get a shot at an interview is making sure you’ve got an impressive CV. Impressive doesn’t necessarily mean long and descriptive; rather the mentioning of qualifications needed for the job at hand. It needs to be attractive, precise and easy to read.
Think whether all of the information you’ve included is requisite. Do you have to mention every single stage play you took part in since 2007 for the position of a content writer? I think not.
Make sure the information you include relates to the industry you’re looking to enter and supports the job role you’re aiming to land. If you’re making a leap into a completely new sphere, tweak the way you mention your experiences in a way that correlates with the new job position.
Proofread your CV
Proofreading your CV and editing out the mistakes will show the employer that you pay attention to detail. Careless mistakes will give them the impression that you are sloppy and don’t care much about what you do.
Utilise your social media
Apart from skimming through your CV, employers will most probably take a look at your online content. This is where a LinkedIn profile comes in handy! Your social media will help the employer become aware of your personality and your brand. What’s more, social media being the ideal networking platform, and networking being one of the most helpful tools in landing a job, it’ll allow other employers with available job opportunities to reach out to you.
Prepare for the common questions.
By no means are we saying that you need to stage and fake your answers; however, there is a setlist of questions most employers ask.
For example, tell me a little bit about yourself.
If you’ve prepared for this question beforehand you’d know better than to stall or repeat the same details that are in your CV. Likewise, knowing how to answer these common questions will surely give you an added advantage. Preparation will also boost up your confidence and confidence is key at an interview.
Dress to impress
Before you get down to the nitty-gritties of paper qualifications, your appearance is what helps them perceive you at first glance. Therefore, dress in appropriate clothing and groom yourself for the part. Yes, we get that it’s 2019 and we’re all for it, but the truth of the matter is corporates still like to see that you put in effort and respect, so much so that you’ll dress accordingly.
While you do all this, don’t forget to let your personality shine. This will show your employer that you are likeable and can get along with the rest. Leave the money talk for later. Bringing it up in conversation at the initial stage can displease the employer. And most importantly, be proactive! Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the company’s management style and professional development opportunities. This will show your potential employer that you are both informed and driven. Now that you’ve got the basics down, go land that job!
