Job Seeker: Tips and Tricks to Getting the Call
I know how difficult it is to be on the hunt for a job. You have to practically sleep with the boss-to-be just to get an interview in this economy. Well, if you have more integrity than showing a little boob to your potential employer, here are a few tips to help you stand out from the rest of the pack.
So you're in the trenches of job-hunters and your phone just won't ring. How do you get noticed amongst the hundreds of other applicants? Well, you must understand the plight of your potential employer. With so many people unemployed these days, they are literally looking for a needle in a haystack. While the stack of applications flood their desks, acknowledge that you are hardly anything more than another name on a piece of paper. Most employers have the same view of applications- they're pretty much photocopies of each other, but the papers that accompany that application can make all the difference between having a job and still waiting on one.
Let's talk about those papers- your resume and cover letter. While you are one of many, you need to catch their eye. Even though you have submitted a standard application, your cover letter and resume are meant to set you apart from the rest. Having a stellar cover letter and resume can lead to the call you've been waiting for. Don't be shy. Now is not the time for modesty. You can be modest when you get the job. Right now, your job is to make the potential employer feel as if they need you on their team and can't wait to meet you in the flesh. A little doting on yourself will not only show them that you are confident in your abilities, but that you are a diamond in the rough, and they will be lucky to have you. While you must tread lightly and keep your distance from crossing the line of arrogance, no one is going to tell them what an asset you will be if you won't. Highlighting a few of your favorable characteristics and work ethic in addition to your expertise as it relates to the job you're applying for is a welcomed bonus.
Make sure you update your resume often, your contact information is correct, and let your friends check it out too. The more eyes on your resume the better. Taking a fresh look for yourself every week or so will help you spot errors and invoke changes to enhance its fluidity. Your resume should flow like the words of a seasoned author and leave the reader intrigued to know more. If that is not the what your resume is saying to you, keep working on it.
There are a few techniques that can enhance your resume and make you more appealing. First, a nice block, colored border can trigger initial interest. While other resumes are plain, in black and white and will likely find themselves in the kitties' litter box, yours will let them know you put a little more time and effort into getting their attention. It shows your potentially new boss that you took the time to add something extra in hopes to peak their curiosity. Now, that doesn't mean mail in your application and when they open it the colors launch them back into the 70s with a blast confetti and glitter. That's called overkill. It will get you noticed, but I'm sure they won't be happy cleaning up your mess. Simple, yet bold color can draw their eye to your resume like a moth to a flame and encourage them to read further.
The font size and type are very important as well. The size is standard, 10-12. When choosing the perfect size, you definitely want to make sure you are not sending a novel so if your job history is extensive, the smaller font is likely your better choice, however, you also want to make sure it is legible. No one wants to squint to find out more about you especially when there are so many other options. Use bullets that exemplify your abilities and experience as they pertain to the job you seek. If you are looking for an office job, highlight the experience and expertise you gained from your previous employment working in an office setting such as organizational skills, computer software knowledge, and customer service.
While the traditional Courier New and Times New Roman are the norm, there are other fonts that are simple and professional, but will help you stand out from the rest. My personal favorite is Arial. To me, Arial is the new Courier New. It is simple and professional yet modern and youthful as well. Arial font comes off the page as fresh and alluring. Try it for yourself. Print a copy of your resume in Courier New or Times New Roman and then print one in Arial and see which one you're drawn to. The key is to think like an employer. What would you like to see? What would make you pick up the phone? What would make you send a resume right to the recylcing bin? The answers could very well guide you to the changes you need to get that phone call and the opportunity to nab the job you've been waiting for.
While you're waiting, be proactive and try not to get discouraged. There is nothing wrong with calling after a week or so to inquire about the application you submitted. Right now the etiquette of declining an applicant is almost obsolete. It is a rarity now, that employers call, email, or give any inclination that they have chosen another applicant for the job so calling to find out is a common practice these days. Lastly, remember that this is a time that very few have ever experienced as far as the economy is concerned. Avoid feeling inferior because the offers are not rolling in as quickly as you would like. It's not you; it's the time we live in. The best thing you can do is to utilize your networks, review and update your resume and cover letter often, and be an active job seeker checking web sites and openings with specific employers you'd like to hear from. Good Luck!
So you're in the trenches of job-hunters and your phone just won't ring. How do you get noticed amongst the hundreds of other applicants? Well, you must understand the plight of your potential employer. With so many people unemployed these days, they are literally looking for a needle in a haystack. While the stack of applications flood their desks, acknowledge that you are hardly anything more than another name on a piece of paper. Most employers have the same view of applications- they're pretty much photocopies of each other, but the papers that accompany that application can make all the difference between having a job and still waiting on one.
Let's talk about those papers- your resume and cover letter. While you are one of many, you need to catch their eye. Even though you have submitted a standard application, your cover letter and resume are meant to set you apart from the rest. Having a stellar cover letter and resume can lead to the call you've been waiting for. Don't be shy. Now is not the time for modesty. You can be modest when you get the job. Right now, your job is to make the potential employer feel as if they need you on their team and can't wait to meet you in the flesh. A little doting on yourself will not only show them that you are confident in your abilities, but that you are a diamond in the rough, and they will be lucky to have you. While you must tread lightly and keep your distance from crossing the line of arrogance, no one is going to tell them what an asset you will be if you won't. Highlighting a few of your favorable characteristics and work ethic in addition to your expertise as it relates to the job you're applying for is a welcomed bonus.
Make sure you update your resume often, your contact information is correct, and let your friends check it out too. The more eyes on your resume the better. Taking a fresh look for yourself every week or so will help you spot errors and invoke changes to enhance its fluidity. Your resume should flow like the words of a seasoned author and leave the reader intrigued to know more. If that is not the what your resume is saying to you, keep working on it.
There are a few techniques that can enhance your resume and make you more appealing. First, a nice block, colored border can trigger initial interest. While other resumes are plain, in black and white and will likely find themselves in the kitties' litter box, yours will let them know you put a little more time and effort into getting their attention. It shows your potentially new boss that you took the time to add something extra in hopes to peak their curiosity. Now, that doesn't mean mail in your application and when they open it the colors launch them back into the 70s with a blast confetti and glitter. That's called overkill. It will get you noticed, but I'm sure they won't be happy cleaning up your mess. Simple, yet bold color can draw their eye to your resume like a moth to a flame and encourage them to read further.
The font size and type are very important as well. The size is standard, 10-12. When choosing the perfect size, you definitely want to make sure you are not sending a novel so if your job history is extensive, the smaller font is likely your better choice, however, you also want to make sure it is legible. No one wants to squint to find out more about you especially when there are so many other options. Use bullets that exemplify your abilities and experience as they pertain to the job you seek. If you are looking for an office job, highlight the experience and expertise you gained from your previous employment working in an office setting such as organizational skills, computer software knowledge, and customer service.
While the traditional Courier New and Times New Roman are the norm, there are other fonts that are simple and professional, but will help you stand out from the rest. My personal favorite is Arial. To me, Arial is the new Courier New. It is simple and professional yet modern and youthful as well. Arial font comes off the page as fresh and alluring. Try it for yourself. Print a copy of your resume in Courier New or Times New Roman and then print one in Arial and see which one you're drawn to. The key is to think like an employer. What would you like to see? What would make you pick up the phone? What would make you send a resume right to the recylcing bin? The answers could very well guide you to the changes you need to get that phone call and the opportunity to nab the job you've been waiting for.
While you're waiting, be proactive and try not to get discouraged. There is nothing wrong with calling after a week or so to inquire about the application you submitted. Right now the etiquette of declining an applicant is almost obsolete. It is a rarity now, that employers call, email, or give any inclination that they have chosen another applicant for the job so calling to find out is a common practice these days. Lastly, remember that this is a time that very few have ever experienced as far as the economy is concerned. Avoid feeling inferior because the offers are not rolling in as quickly as you would like. It's not you; it's the time we live in. The best thing you can do is to utilize your networks, review and update your resume and cover letter often, and be an active job seeker checking web sites and openings with specific employers you'd like to hear from. Good Luck!
This was a great post!! I agree that one of the most difficult aspects of a job interview is self-admiration. Most individuals wait until the interviewer asks "How can you benefit this company" to highlight their attributes. If one inserts these attributes tactfully throughout the interview, that question would already be answered.
ReplyDeleteModesty should be saved for after they hire you and can see how valuable you are. From your cover letter to the interview, the main objective is to show them how much they need you and could benefit from you being an addition to their team effectively while avoiding pomposity. For businesses, hiring decisions come down to the dollar bill- you need to prove you're worth the expense. Thanks for you comment. =)
ReplyDelete