Here are some tips on having the edge over the competition.
1. Do your homework.
- Come to the interview prepared with questions and lots of answers. You’d be hard pressed to find a company that doesn’t have a website, and nowadays, a social media presence- use them to research and learn more about it. Take notes about key points and be sure they slide off the tip of your tongue with ease.
- Ask questions. Show that you are genuinely interested in the position and the company you’ve applied to. However, make sure that you aren’t asking things that you should already know if you had done your research. Nothing turns off an employer faster than an interviewee asking, “So, what do you do here?” at a job interview. At minimum you should know who their CEO is, what the vision for the company is, and who their biggest competitors are.
2. Hone your phone skills.
- Never underestimate the impact that telephone manners have on your job search success. Out of service numbers, blaring ringback music, returning messages two days later- or not at all (!)- these are all deal breakers for employers. They convey that you aren’t serious about finding a job and aren’t reliable. Not a good premise for a positive working relationship.
3. Clean it up.
- Not your room, your social media presence. A 2014 CareerBuilder report revealed that over 40% of employers used social media to prescreen potential employees. Common reasons for passing on inviting in an applicant for an interview were inappropriate photos, references to drugs and alcohol, and unprofessional language and behavior, according to the report. Be aware that just because you use an alternate name or use privacy settings, it is still very possible for this information to be found using both your e-mail address and cell phone number.
4. Get linked.
- 93% of recruiters use LinkedIn, so having a profile on this career networking site is a must. These workforce professionals assist companies by searching for qualified candidates and matching them to job openings. You can also find jobs and crucial information about the companies you are applying to and might even be able to learn about the very person who is interviewing you. Knowledge is power and should be used to your benefit to give you an edge in your job search.
5. Check your e-mail!
- It is entirely possible that the job you sent your resume and cover letter to will never call you. But not for the reason you’re thinking. Today more companies are using e-mail to invite candidates in for an interview complete with Google and Microsoft Outlook calendar invites with days, times, and locations (yes, you can click on it and the address will pop up on Google Maps!) When you get that invitation for an interview, reply ASAP!
- On that note, also make sure that you are utilizing best practices in e-mail etiquette. That means using a professional-sounding e-mail address- using your first and last name is a good start-, making sure to check your draft for spelling and grammatical errors, and using fonts that are easy to read.
6. Get Help from Jobs-Plus
- We are here to assist with all of your job search needs. We offer recruitments and information sessions about jobs. Our team is happy to assist with resume and cover letter writing, mock interviews, promotion and salary negotiation advice, and more. We also have a computer lab on site where you may independently job search, as well as make copies of your resume and cover letter.
- Visit us during the hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00am to 8:00pm on Tuesday and Thursday, and Saturday 9:00am to 4:00pm through mid-April (every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month thereafter.)
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4-25 Astoria Blvd.
Great start Shannon! Straight talk....I like!
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