With the amount of jobseekers actively looking for employment, when you apply for your dream job, be assured – you are in competition. It is important that you optimize your chances by appearing to be the most suitable applicant. There are some common mistakes that many jobseekers will inevitably make without even knowing it.
When job hunting, most people will update their old CV and add any recent experience that may be missing. This sounds like the first thing to do when starting a job hunt, however, if you want to assert yourself as the perfect candidate, it is important to do more that just dust off an old CV. To impress employers, your CV should be tailor made to each specific position you apply for.
Think about what skills and qualifications this particular position will require. By writing a CV that appeals directly to the employer’s needs and necessities, you will improve your chances of success. When reading a CV, employers will generally scan through for an average of about 30 seconds. If something relevant to the position for example experience or certain skills, catch their eye, they are more likely to read through thoroughly.
Once you have completed the perfect CV, you should write a covering letter to be sent with it. Many people are happy to write a covering letter that is very general and impersonal so that it can be sent out to numerous companies. Employers will take more of an interest in those candidates that have made a reference to the company itself, for example "I would like to work for your company because…"
Before sending out you CV and covering letter, ask a few friends or relatives to read through it to check for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Both documents will be considered as examples of you work – so ensure that they are a high quality.
Many positions advertised today will be open for application via the internet. This means that for many jobs, you will need to apply using email. This email should be more than a quick note with an attachment. You should consider each email you send as an example of your writing skills and avoid using shorthand for example 'hav' instead of 'have' and 'u' instead of 'you'. This will look extremely unprofessional and employers are less likely to consider your application. Before sending your email and attachment, print it out and review its content and appearance.
When invited to attend an interview, many do not realize that it is more than just an opportunity for employers to get to know you. Employers will be more compelled to seriously consider your application if you sound interested. When your interviewer asks whether you have any questions, always think of some to ask. Before you go along to the interview, have a list of a few questions that you would like to ask. This way, your interviewer will have more of an idea how you think and what you may be like to work with.
Following an interview, it is a common misconception that there is nothing to do but wait to hear your interviewer’s feedback. It is never a bad idea to send a 'Thank you' letter or email, thanking your interviewer for the opportunity as well as his/her time. If you do not hear from your interviewer after a few days, it is a good idea to telephone. It is tempting to keep your distance to avoid 'being a bother' but a jobseeker that doesn't follow up after an interview, will more often than not, loose out to one who is persistent.
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