Getting hired can sometimes become the most difficult part of one’s job. The demand for professionals grows and so does the competition for job openings. Unless you have a particularly unique set of skills you will have to really try your hardest to get your dream job.
With global quarantine, the hunt for work has become even more difficult.
Getting Through
Big corporations can get thousands of applications daily. That’s why their recruiters have been trying their best to keep up with the pace of the work environment. This has led to the widespread implementation of the applicant tracking system more commonly known as ATS.
This is a relatively new trend that young job seekers might’ve not even heard about. But you should understand how the modern applicant tracking process works if you want to increase your chances of landing a job.
Simply put, ATS is some resume-scanning software that filters data based on particular keywords. This allows a hiring manager to trash the least desirable applications based on their rank within the ATS system.
You don’t have to rank first on this stage. But you should know how to write your resume in a way that will let it get before human eyes. The easiest way to create a bot-beating resume is to get a professional to write a resume for you. There are plenty of services out there that specialize in this sort of thing.
They will help you get more interviews. Keep in mind that it won’t necessarily convert to being hired on the spot. But at least you will get more chances to show your worth in an interview.
If you’ve decided to manually format your resume – you will have to adopt a practical machine-like approach. Here are some suggestions:
- Customize your resume for every job you apply for;
- Try to match your resume to the job description;
- Use both full and shortened versions of keywords;
- Use simple and straightforward language.
The most reliable way to please a robotic HR is to hit the keywords it’s set to scan for. Don’t try to cheat the system by pasting job-related keywords everywhere though. It may be good enough for a bot but it will backfire in your face once a human takes a look at your resume.
It’s All About Presentation
You don’t really get a second shot at a first impression. And when it comes to job interviews, the whole thing is basically the first impression galore.
You have to really give it your best when you meet your potential employers for the first time. Getting the job is much harder than keeping it. So don’t be shy to make it known how cool and competent you are. You are your own and only cheerleader here.
This is where you will have to work on your social skills. Even if your desired position has nothing to do with human interaction, even if you are not particularly good at it.
The whole hiring process will take about an hour of your time. During that time you should become your most confident and approachable self as can be.
The whole thing where you are being questioned by a stranger can be pretty intimidating. This can seriously mess with your morale. If you find it difficult to relax – think of it as you interviewing your employer, not the other way around.
Ask questions, evaluate the benefits this career pass offers you. Is this work good enough for you to take it? It’s for you to decide. And lastly, try not to overplay your hand. Yes, you have to be your better self when being interviewed. Perhaps even an ideal self.
Downplaying your weaknesses and exaggerating your strength slightly is part of the game when it comes to crafting an outstanding resume. But you shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep. Try staying on the realistic side. Remember that you will have to face the consequences of the expectations you’ve set for yourself eventually.
Be Confident
Lack of confidence is a fairly common problem for those who find themselves at the beginning of their career. But don’t think you can’t find a job just because you have no portfolio yet.
If you have spotted a great opening but you don’t fit some of the requirements – apply anyway. The thing that matters is the key skills.
Recruitment firms are supposed to know exactly what kind of people the company they are working for needs. But they can’t know everything about every job they are hiring for. And sometimes this leads to weird situations.
Like when you know more about the job than your interviewer. This is the reason for ridiculous qualifications requirements popping up on entry-level positions.
Evaluate the job opening. Take a look at the duties the new hire will be expected to perform. These might help you figure out what sort of qualifications the applicants really need to get the job. If you know you can do it – go for it, even if it’s your first job ever.
As long as you are competent and willing to quickly learn on the fly – you can try your luck with even the most far-fetched of job openings.
Final Words
Whatever you do, do not be shy to put yourself out there. This is a fairly common pitfall that many people stumble into at the beginning of their professional careers.
Once you are out of college, you are not being graded anymore. Well, you kind of are actually, but not in the way you are used to. It doesn’t matter how many times you fail. As long as you get your one golden interview in the end.
Do not let failure discourage you from trying again. The more interviews you go to the higher the chance you will get a job offer. So rack up that failed interview count.
Each one gives you more experience and puts you closer to your goal. Statistically only one out of about a hundred job interviews will convert into a real job offer. So cast as wide of a net as you can. As long as you keep trying you are guaranteed to succeed sooner or later.