It’s becoming harder and harder to secure a job nowadays – with more and more people applying for a limited amount of jobs, you need to stand out from the crowd to really make an impact.
Well, don’t worry! Read on to find out exactly how you can make yourself different from the rest.
Rethink Your CV
Your CV is usually the first thing your employers will see, and is essentially your shot at a first impression. This is why you want it to be short, sweet and bold. Keep the personal information at a minimum, and instead fill it up with your skills, how you gained these skills, how they’ll help you. Detail this in your work history too – you really want to sell yourself and make your potential employers feel like they need you. Keep your CV professional – always use CV templates, such as these from LiveCareer, so that your CV looks mature, clean and easy to read. Without a template, it’s easy for it to come across as messy, or to overdo it – this is more likely to put you in the “No” pile. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add a little creative touch – find a template with a little colour. Nothing stands out more than a little brightness in a pile of black and white.
Keep Your Image Clean
After you apply to a job, one thing employers will almost certainly do is look you up on the internet. This means they’re likely to see your Facebook, LinkedIn, and any other social media or websites you have. If they look at your profiles to see pictures of someone irresponsible, untrustworthy or immature, they’ll dismiss you straight away.
At the very least, keep your profile on private – if you do post things on your social media, a general rule of thumb is not to post things you wouldn’t want your Grandma to see. It’s also incredibly important to make sure you do not lie on your application – if you do, this is how employers will find out, one way or another.
Don’t put down experience or skills you don’t have, especially since nowadays, everyone’s lives are published on the internet for the world to see. Be honest, be sincere, and be truthful – or you’ll get thrown out with the trash.
Prepare for Success
When your employers meet you, you need to make an impression that makes them think “I want YOU”. Dress smart, even if you feel a little overdressed – a simple suit or black dress is the perfect outfit to make a serious impression.
Handshakes and a smile go a long way – a firm, brief handshake is a good way to introduce yourself, and smiling will automatically create a connection. And don’t forget to listen out for their name! Get yourself familiar with common questions too, and prepare some answers so you can be sure you’ll be confident, rather than stumble over your words.
With these tips, you’re bound to make yourself stand out from the crowd and guarantee yourself some well-deserved success. Good luck!
Photo by Nik MacMillan on Unsplash
