Getting “that” job, the job you are entirely convinced suits you perfectly is a delicate process that requires careful positioning that sets you apart as the best candidate.
At any given time, a corporate job opening anywhere in the world will attract around 250 resumes. Further statistics state that of the 250 resumes, only 4-6 people will be called for an interview and eventually only one person will get hired.
As a job seeker, these statistics should always be at the forefront of your mind. They should spur you to spend enough time on your application to ensure that at the very least you get to be among the four to six people called for an interview.
We will systematically look at the ways you can refine your job application process to ensure you land “that” job at your first try. The focus will be on four key things that are a must-do.
1. Gather All the Pertinent Information About Your Target Company
In-depth research into the company or corporation you wish to work for is an important step that most job seekers skip. The research will help you to acquire the knowledge necessary to market yourself to the company effectively.
In any job application, it is all about marketing yourself and the skills that you can bring to the table. Whenever that HR manager gets his/her hand on your resume and application letter, you ought to have marketed yourself so well that they immediately buy what you are selling.
As is known, the foundation of an excellent marketing strategy is information. So, check out any available source of info covering your potential employer, understand the vision of the company, and get a comprehensive outlook on what the company does.
If possible, reach out to a few employees, add them on LinkedIn, and have a conversation on what the employers of that company expect from their employees. With that done, and you are thoroughly convinced that you know enough about the company, it is time to move on to the next step.
2. Update All Your Social Media Profiles
While we would like to think our social media profiles are our private space and that you can say anything you want without it affecting your employment opportunities, the truth is that it is not so and that what you say reflects who you are.
In 2014, someone tweeted to Safaricom CEO—Bob Collymore.
“I’d like a job at Safaricom. Am a graduate n I’ll b happy to commence at a position of ua discretion.” The tweet said.
While the CEO politely asked him to send his CV to Safaricom’s HR department, he also pointed out to the applicant that Safaricom gave preference to people who knew how to spell.
Such a seemingly harmless thing – using the short form in a tweet, and yet a considerable factor in determining whether he got the job or not.
A survey by CareerBuilder indicates that 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates before hiring them.
Therefore, before commencing your job application process, update your social media profiles to ensure they reflect the values a potential employer would like. Remove anything that will result in an employer dismissing you and update your LinkedIn profile to ensure it reflects your most recent work experience.
3. Prepare a Killer Curriculum Vitae Tailored To The Job You Are Applying For
First impressions, it is said, are unforgiving. Your CV, you ought to always remember, is your first impression.
Chris Kirubi; a Kenyan business and entrepreneur at the top of his game, posses two critical questions in his Ask Kirubi blog.
What can you do to ensure the HR sees your CV or that you get an interview?
How hard can it be to get an audience with an MD or employer who attends the same church as you or goes to the same doctor you do?
The answer to both questions lies in the effort you put into preparing your CV or resume. If you consider a CV as just another document required by employers, and you do not employ the necessary effort, then irrespective of your education merits, the job will slip through your fingers.
The HR will discard your CV, you will not get an interview, and that MD you thought would give you an in will go out of his way to ignore you.
Chris Kirubi goes on to enumerate that he gets so many requests from job seekers and persons seeking partnerships and investments. Unfortunately, he turns a majority of them down merely because they cannot get the CV, resume, or business proposal right.
The worst part about it is that it is not the skill level of an individual in question. Instead, it is the small things. Spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and old layouts. Simple issues that you can address by using Microsoft Word’s spell checker and any available free grammar checker.
So, how do you do this? How do you ensure you get your CV right so that CEOs and MDs will instantly be impressed?
SEE: Tips On How to Get Your Curriculum Vitae Right
4. Ensure You Have All the Required Documents
The quickest way for potential employers to whittle down the number of applicants is to check if the applicant has the necessary documents enumerated in the application details. If the job advertisement required a clearance certificate and your application lacks one, then you are automatically disqualified.
It does not matter how unnecessary an asked document may seem to be, always attach it.
Final Word
How much do you want that job? If you want it bad enough, then spending a day crafting an attractive CV will not be too much. Spending two days researching on a given company will not be too much either.
The thing to remember is that you do not need to send out 100 CVs before landing your dream job, you only need to send out one well-crafted CV or resume, and you will easily beat two hundred and fifty other applicants and be the last man/woman standing.