For all of you who are looking for a job, especially the fresh graduates who have this one irritating question in your mind “How to get a Job?”, let me tell you that finding the right job is not sunshine and rainbows. But worry not, ‘cause you have come to the right spot.
Let me begin by sharing my experience as a freshly graduated student, who had just walked out of college, with a resume in hand, and feeling invulnerable thinking that numerous jobs would be lined up for me. But unfortunately, nothing was as easy as I thought it would be.
With countless applications and constant rejections, I ended up thinking if I would ever find a job or not?!
Finding the right job for yourself is quite a task, but trust me, I have been there, and with a dedicated mind and constant efforts I did make my way out and found the perfect job!
In this article, we will discuss all the key elements that are necessary and will make it easier for you to land your job.
So, let’s begin:
SELF-ASSESSMENT & SETTING GOALS
The first and most important step has to be discovering your passion and figuring out what skills you can bring to the table. There are several ways of discovering your passion, such as:
- Think about all those things that make you lose track of time
- Identify your values, and know what things are important to you.
- Know your strengths and think about your past experiences.
- Try stepping out of your comfort zone to discover your hidden talents.
- Socialize, talk, and connect with people as much as you can, it would help you identify a path for yourself.
However, keep in mind that the world is evolving and new technology is emerging, therefore you cannot just simply rely on your passion.
You also need to keep in mind what skills are most in demand and consider that you can look for a job that aligns with your strengths as well.
Moreover, you can even acquire more skills by taking online courses, reading, or listening to podcasts. This would make you even more employable!
Secondly, set goals, goals that are SMART and can increase your chances of success.
Q) What are SMART goals?
SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.
- Your goal must be measurable, meaning that you should be able to track your progress and know when you will achieve it.
- It may be challenging but also achievable at the same time.
- Do not set goals that are irrelevant or unrealistic. Your goal must align with your priorities.
- Lastly, you must know the deadline, as in by when you have to achieve the goal.
SMART goals help you stay focused and motivated while also helping you to stay on track and work towards achieving them.
PREPARE A COMPELLING RESUME/CV
Your resume and CV are very crucial as they are the first impression you make on the employer. Here are some tips to help you with that:
- First of all, keep it concise. Aim for 1-2 pages for resume and 2-3 pages for CV.
- Make sure that you use clear formatting, and font so that it is easily readable.
- Play smart and highlight all your skills and achievements, specifically the skills relevant to the job description.
- Do not use generic descriptions like “performed duties”, or “responsible for”, as they can never make your resume stand out.
- And most importantly, proofread to avoid any errors or typos since they create a negative impression.
Your resume and CV have to be such that they can adapt to each job description. Moreover, to highlight your achievements or skills you can also use strong action verbs.
These are just a few tips for you, click here for more Resume and CV Writing Tips.
Additionally, with the modernization of everything around us, another interesting technology has emerged that can automatically generate a resume/CV for you.
It offers a lot of benefits, such as:
- Saving your time
- Including the necessary relevant keywords
- Making sure that the resume/CV is professional-looking
- And much more
Despite all the benefits this technology offers, always remember that you cannot blindly rely on it. You must always proofread for safe side.
Here are some resume/CV generators for your convenience:
THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING
Networking is one of the best ways to open yourself up to job opportunities. Rather than solely relying on job applications, you can consider this method to make your journey easier.
Again, there are several ways you can do it:
- Reach out to people in your industry and let them know you are looking for a job
- Attend events, conferences, and seminars
- Take part in online forums such as LinkedIn
- Even after connecting with people, constantly stay in touch with them
You never know when an opportunity might come your way, so always focus on networking and building good connections.
Read more: Use LinkedIn Jobs to find your dream Job.
According to CNBC, 70% of jobs are never posted publicly, whereas 80% of jobs are found through networking. Think of it as helping a friend first rather than helping a stranger.
Therefore, do not underestimate the power of networking, foster good connections, and follow up regularly.
THE INTERVIEW PREP
You do not want to be a fool and mess up your interview just like I did. Do not enter the interview room knowing nothing about the company, mumbling your answers, and leaving the interviewers wondering if you even read the job description or not.
Play smart, and be aware of the company’s aims and values, their work culture, products, and services, as well as their ongoing projects.
Practice some common questions beforehand, and draft thoughtful answers to those questions. Such as:
Q) Describe yourself.
This is a golden chance for you to introduce yourself and highlight all your achievements, skills, and experiences that are relevant to the job position. However, remember to not drag it, keep it concise and focused.
Q) Walk me through your resume.
Again, this is another opportunity for you to elaborate on your most relevant experiences and all the achievements that you have mentioned on your resume.
Q) Why do you want this job? OR Why this company specifically?
Make sure to do your research at any cost. If you are genuinely interested in getting that job, do not go unprepared. Be enthusiastic, and show genuine interest in the job in that company.
Q) What are your strengths?
It is better to focus on strengths that are related to the job description. You can even give examples to explain how you have leveraged your strengths to achieve success.
Q) What are your weaknesses?
Simply saying that you have none would make you look dumb, be aware of what your weaknesses are. Mention at least one of them, and also tell how you are working to improve it.
Q) What is your greatest achievement till now?
You can highlight any achievement that showcases your skills or even describe a situation where you encountered a problem relevant to the job and the steps you took to overcome it.
Other than this, you can even ask questions yourself related to the job, or the company as it would show your interest in the job.
Here are some more Common Interview Questions for your help.
YOUR INTERVIEW PERSONA
In my case, the first thing that led to my rejection was a mumbled greeting, and me slumping up in my chair.
But you do not have to do this! You have to make a great first impression.
Here is how you can do it:
- Be punctual: rather than aiming to be on time, you should aim to arrive before time whether it is an interview, a meeting, or anything.
- Greet with Confidence: as you enter the room, you should confidently greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, a warm smile, and most importantly, eye contact.
- Body Language: it plays a crucial role! Avoid slouching and sit up straight. A good posture demonstrates confidence and attentiveness.
- Be clear when you speak: remember that you are in a professional setting and you have to be clear when you speak. Do not be too soft or too loud, have a moderate pace to ensure that you are understood.
- Be an Active Listener: make eye contact, nod occasionally, and do not interrupt. Make the interviewer feel that you are fully invested in what is being said.
- Dress Appropriately: keep in mind that you are heading towards your job interview, therefore, dress formally and appropriately.
- Ask Questions: furthermore, you can even ask questions. You can prepare your questions beforehand as well, which would showcase your research and interest in the role and the company.
SEALING THE DEAL
Your interview must go well enough to seal the deal. You must understand all the key points that can help you leave a lasting impression and secure the job.
Similarly, never ever underestimate the power of a thank-you! Always thank the interviewer for their time.
You can do this by sending them an email within 24 hours of your interview. This would show courtesy and also keep your name fresh in their mind.
Here is how you can structure the Thank-you Email:
- Express gratitude and thank them for their time and consideration.
- Express your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
- Highlight some of the points that resonated with you during the interview.
- Conclude it by expressing your interest in the role and also your eagerness to hear about the next steps.
Tip: always proofread your email before sending it.
Lastly, do not forget that job search can be a marathon! You will face rejections, but that does not mean that you should stop trying. Rejection is very common and it does not reflect your worth.
If any of you are going through a similar phase then let me tell you that, rejection only leads to more and better opportunities. You must always take it as a lesson and learn from your mistakes.
Understand what worked and what did not work in your last interview, and come up with a new strategy accordingly.
With full dedication, preparation, and a positive mind, you can definitely be successful in getting your dream job!
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