You have been searching for hours for that perfect job. The one that pays a great salary, has plenty of perks and opportunities for progression up the ladder.
You re absolutely desperate to land it, but how do you make sure you land it? How do you make sure that your application stands out above all of the rest in the pile, and how do you appear both confident and competent without being an arrogant know-it-all in your interview?
Here, we look at how you can nail the recruitment process and land the job of your dreams.
Do your research on the company
It is important to go into your interview prepared to talk about yourself. It is not a time to be modest – tell them why you will be great at the job and why they should pick you. In fact, don’t just tell them – show them!
However, to really give you the edge over your competitors for the job and make recruiters sit up and take notice of you, make sure you have researched the company and know about them. The chances are they will have a website. Study it as if you were studying for the most important exam of your life. Find out exactly what they do, and what they offer, and most crucially, why. Drop this into your interview. A candidate who shows knowledge about the company and that they are prepared to put in the groundwork goes a very long way.
Check your past
Many firms and organizations will do their due diligence on you before you even get to the interview stage. They may, depending on the job that you are applying for, carry out a criminal record check. If there is something in your past that you are not particularly proud of, it may be better to be upfront and honest about it right at the beginning. It might stop you from getting further, sure, but some companies will appreciate the honesty and be interested in how you have moved on from that.
If you have got anything that shouldn’t be there, find out the cost of having your record expunged. It may be worth it if there is something on your files that is stopping you from getting a job.
Find your hook
In 2020, for the average corporate job, there were 250 resumes or applications sent in. Four to six candidates got through to the interview stage, and only one got the job. Whether you are one of the 250 at the application stage or one of the lucky ones at interview stage, you HAVE to stand out. You have to have something to hook the recruitment team in and make you memorable for the right reasons.
Be honest
Recruiters are experts at their job. If you are not being entirely honest or are being economical with the truth they will see straight through you and catch you out. If you don’t know something, tell them. Sometimes that – along with the willingness to learn about it – can actually be beneficial.
