Looking for a new job can become a full-time job. From crafting the perfect resume to preparing for interviews, you need to be prepared and equipped for the hunt. We have put together 8 application tips that you should follow:
1. Do your homework and know the market
Think about what other people with your degree and the same experience are doing and look for similar positions. Check out their Xing and LinkedIn profiles or search for them on Twitter. In addition, find out about the market and its main key players and learn as much as possible about them. This information will help you focus on your desired industry and dream job and give you self-confidence in job interviews.
2. Search, search and search some more
Use the large job portals such as Monster or Stepstone to search for vacancies, but also local sites. Advertisements in newspapers or on company websites may seem “old-fashioned,” but they can be a good source. Remember: Many positions are not advertised on the major portals with expensive advertisements and only 20% of vacant positions are even advertised.
3. Form a network and USE IT
Since many jobs don’t even appear on Monster or similar websites, your network is even more important. It’s less about what you know, but who you know! Talk to friends, family, neighbors, or anyone else you know to see if they know anything (even indirectly) about open positions in your desired industry. Human resources departments prefer to hire people who come with a personal recommendation. That’s just how it is!
4. Work on your online profile
It’s not a good idea to post the pictures from last weekend’s party on Facebook and share them with potential employers. They won’t be too impressed. Make sure that everything that is “private” on social networks actually remains “private”. This applies not only to Facebook, but also to Twitter, Instagram and many other social networks, unless you use them for professional networking or exchanging information. In this case, it can even be useful to highlight your profiles. Remember: employers WILL Google you! So make sure you find exactly what you want. Even if it sounds boring, Xing and LinkedIn are your best friends when you’re looking for a job. Keep your profiles up to date, clear and professional. With a professional picture of yourself (no selfies) you will draw even more attention to yourself!
Additional tip: If you want to work in the online sector (journalism, marketing, PR or similar), a great website with a profile of you and your own domain is definitely a good idea. Sites like flavors.me or about.me are a simple solution for having your own site, but WordPress is also suitable.
5. Polish your resume
Only add qualifications that are actually relevant to the position you are applying for. You can certainly mention your summer job as a waitress if it taught you skills that fit the position (e.g. customer service or sales), but relevant internships or volunteer projects make a better impression on your resume – even if you have little work experience. Also make sure your resume is easy to read, clear, has no spelling errors, and is no longer than 2 pages. If you send your application by email, it is better not to use an email address like this [email protected] use.
6. Put effort into your cover letter
Here you have the opportunity to mention everything you couldn’t do in your CV. Think of it as a love letter to your future employer. So don’t write about “me, me and me,” but highlight the great qualities you bring with you and focus on how you will grow together. Impress in a way that would make even Romeo look pale. And keep it short. Nobody wants to read a 10-paragraph, 2-page cover letter.
7. Follow up (but with class)
You should hear back from the company in a week or two. If this is not the case, call or email to show that you are interested in the position. But don’t overdo it by constantly asking questions. It seems desperate and no one likes that.
8. Cheers – you have a new job (or picking yourself up from rejection)
Rejections are hard, but completely normal when looking for a job. Just because some companies don’t like you doesn’t mean everyone does. You just haven’t found THE company for you yet, but that’s coming. So, keep the positive spirit, learn from experiences and keep at it. The job search rewards those who are persistent!
