Job hunting isn’t easy, and can be even more challenging if you’re already working. So, it’s no surprise that you’re reading this blog and no doubt searching other internet sites for hints and tips.
Truth is, there are a lot of people looking for work and competition is fierce. Plus, Hiring Managers have the difficult job of sifting through a high number of CV’s which tell you very little about who is the best person culturally for their business and leaves little room for those ‘wildcard’ candidates that don’t quite tick every box but could in fact be the best person for the job.
So, if you’re motivated to move you have to put the graft in. Right from writing that CV when all you want to do is watch the game, to preparing yourself to smash that interview, to convincing the interviewers to choose you, negotiating an offer, handling a counter offer and making a life changing decision. No biggie, ay?
Going the extra mile to land your dream job is achievable with our easy steps:
Tailor your CV / Application
Sending a tailored cover letter is what most would do, but are you tailoring your CV to demonstrate your most relevant experience for the job you’re applying for? No two jobs are ever the same and its key to take a few minutes to review your CV alongside the job advert and highlight any similarities. Those are the things you want to really sell on. If there’s a key qualification lurking at the bottom then pull it to the top. Yes, this process is more effort than the standard ‘click and apply’ but you should find you get more interview requests.
Don’t rely on job websites
Job websites are a source of vacancies. A ‘go-to’ pool for job seekers to see and to apply for. These tend to receive high volumes of applications which can mean it’s easy for your CV to get lost amongst them. Tailoring your CV for each role you apply for (see above) can help with this, but there are also alternatives. LinkedIn is commonly used now by recruiters and hiring managers alike so you can’t afford not to have a presence on there, or for it to be sub-standard. Take some time and invest in your online presence. You can also track down employers via LinkedIn and be that person who bypasses the standard queue and goes straight to the decision maker. This makes you really stand out. It’s also worth looking at recruiters on their that specialise in the type of vacancies you’re suitable for.
Pick up the phone
The phone? Isn’t that laboured and slightly old fashioned? Well in a digital age where job seekers are applying on the hoof, how great would you look if you picked up the phone before applying. You may also pick up the phone if you haven’t had a reply in a few days following your application. This will really separate you from the field. Your CV could remain unopened, or the client may be having trouble deciding who to interview.
Be proactive
All of the above are proactive things that you can do, and you can control to steer your job search in the right direction. From a recruiter’s point of view, proactive candidates that go the extra mile and call ahead of applying, or follow up for example show themselves to be different to their peers. Challenge yourself to do 5 proactive things per day or week to push your job search forward.
Hopefully these top tips are additional to what you’re currently doing and will help you nail the dream job. If you’ve not engaged with a recruiter, or you have but you aren’t getting the results you’d like then drop us a line. We’d love to assist you at every step and add our expertise to lighten the load. Send us your CV to hello@www.glurecruit.co.uk or call one of our specialist team of recruiters on 01143211873.