Searching for a new job isn’t always easy, whether you already have one or are currently unemployed. But before you get to blasting out resumes and hitting apply to a bunch of online listings, take into account the following tips. These are sure to greatly increase your chances of securing a position at any great company.
- Do I actually want this job?
Go through the job description. Be honest with yourself, is this a job you see yourself enjoying? Go through that job description and a few others like it. This will help you get a clear understanding of the work you would be doing. The responsibilities that you would be undertaking, and the expected level of performance. This would be a good time to research salary expectancy as well. On average, what are companies offering for this position? Is that something that would work with your lifestyle?
- Do I meet the job qualifications?
Read the job requirements carefully. Do you meet at least most of them? I would guess that as many as half the applications we receive for open positions are from unqualified applicants. This doesn’t mean that you have to have every requirement down to the nail. Be aware of the requirements you meet and where you fall short. This information will aid you in selling yourself in the future interview. I once interviewed a gentleman who told me exactly where he lacked, according to our expectations, and how he planned on rectifying it. That gentleman still works with us today, and we hope to keep him for a long time to come.
- Do I know anyone who works there?
Obviously, you’re probably already aware if your friend or cousin works for the company you are looking to apply to. But what about your good friend’s cousin? Your cousin’s boyfriend’s sister? Or the friend of a friend you met over coffee last Tuesday. Having an inside connection, even if it’s not one who knows you well enough to recommend you for the job, can be a great advantage. Maybe they can tell you who the hiring manager is and what they are like. They may know the role you’ve applied for or the department head you’d be working under. They will definitely be able to fill you in on the company culture. There have been many times when even the mention of knowing someone that works within our company has had me pushing an applicant to the top. Companies get hundreds of applications a day. Any link you can make between yourself and said company will only help.
- Did I research the company?
There is nothing more off putting than calling an applicant and them having little or no knowledge of the company they’ve applied to. Read the company website, google them for news articles or magazine features, check out their social media presence. You can find out the company’s mission and values, how their industry is run, and details about their brand, culture, and marketing.
- Did I clean up my social media platforms?
Lastly, before you send out your application you should review your online reputation. For those that were not aware, the company you are applying to will google you! Your future employment will depend on what they find or don’t find. Let’s discuss what they could find first. Excessive drinking, drug use, foul language, angry rants, poor grammar, and spelling to name a few could all be potential red flags. We once received an application from a candidate whose own Facebook profile picture was of him making racial hand gestures. Now that’s just foolish any time, but especially when you’re applying for jobs. Remember that our public social media accounts are just that, public. If you don’t want the world to see it, don’t put it up. Another thing that could potentially be a red flag for your employer is if they find nothing about you. That means either of two things to most employers, you don’t know how the world works today or you’re hiding something. Neither of those two will help you get that job. Google yourself and see what comes up. Set up accounts on free platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, etc.