Have you ever thought about changing your role but not sure what to do, or maybe you have been out of work and now looking to take that first step? Here’s my top recruitment tips for how to secure your dream job.
1. Job Satisfaction - To start, you need to think about what you feel your strengths and weaknesses are, and what it is that you enjoy doing. Then you can research which jobs would be best suited to you.
Tip- There are many online career matching toolkits’ which you could use.
2. Research – Is there a company you already know you are aligned with, or are you open to looking around at the opportunities available? Research is key prior to every application. You want to find out what their culture and values are like and if they would be a good fit for you and vice versa. Take a look through their current job opportunities, their websites and social media pages. Do you know anyone who already works for them? This can help you prepare your cover letter when making that application and showing them, you understand their business.
3. Your CV – How to stand out? You don’t have to be different to stand out, however you do need to spark their interest and sell your achievements. Your CV is a template, ready to adapt for each application you make. Use the research you have gained on the organisation and mirror what they are looking for as it should always be aimed with that employer in mind. Trust is very important when starting a relationship, and there’s no difference with recruitment. You can build trust through recommendations, so add what your managers have said about you, and stats on what you achieved, this will help demonstrate why they should give you an interview. You can even call just after you send your CV to check they have received it and help them to identify you from the other applicants.
Tip- if you have gaps in your employment, then include this and include what you have been doing, hobbies, interests, skills you have learnt.
4. Your Brand – If someone searched for you what would they find? Are your social platforms selling you? One of the first things recruiters will do when they receive your CV will be to check your social media profiles to get a feel for your personality and interests to see if you are a good match. LinkedIn is a great platform for selling yourself and great if you are a professional.
Tip – Build up your network and ask them to give you recommendations
5. Forgetful? – Have you ever received a call back from an opportunity and forgot who you applied to? Develop a system to help log who you apply for and the details for the role. First impressions count, even if it’s on a phone call. So being able to confidently talk about the role shows your interest and understanding.
6. Dream Job – If you know the company you want to work for but can’t find any roles going that match your skillset, don’t be scared to contact them directly or take in your CV. Not all roles are advertised online and some may only be advertised inhouse and they could be having no success in finding a suitable person. Walking in with your CV at the perfect time could be exactly what they need. You could have the perfect CV that they may even decide to create a job specifically for you.
7. Develop yourself – You may find it disheartening not getting a call back or interview, but it’s all part of the journey. Take your mind off this by refocusing and taking up a new hobby or skill which could be beneficial to the roles you are after.
Tip – There are many free courses which you can access and you can find other affordable options on sites like Groupon.
8. Tell A Story – When you are put on the spot in an interview and not sure how to answer a question you may find that memorising stories could help. Using past experiences which highlight your skills such as problem solving, or your personal values, you can have these ready in your pocket to keep an interviewer engaged. This can help you to stand out and get them to emotionally buy into who you are as a person.
9. Question? – Most interviews will end with them asking you if you have any questions. If you have something prepared, you can use this and it will be the thing they remember, so make it useful and demonstrate your personal values.
10. Follow up – Sending an email within a couple of hours of your interview will tell them that you are still interested in the role and give you another opportunity to stand out. The interview is as much about you selling yourself as it is them selling the company, so reassurance that you are still interested and appreciate their time will go a long way.
Finally, a few tips to what to be mindful of-
Attitude – Be positive, putting barriers in the way make someone else more suitable for the role.
Remember to use relevant experience, it doesn’t have to be industry specific but can be a transferable skill.
Be open and show your desire to develop and wanting to grow within the company.
Travel – How far is far? Look at journeys when searching for a role, you may find that there are loads of great opportunities that are not always on your doorstep but equally easy to get to.
Study the job description and use these same words and values as the company you are applying for.
Show personality and be yourself, if you are not right for them that’s fine as they wouldn’t have been right for you either.
If they look bored, they are, change it up and spark their interest, ask questions about them and the company as people love to talk about themselves.
Why hire you? Show them what you bring to the role and why they can’t afford to lose you.
Dress the part, if you walk in with strong positive body language and look the part then you are more likely to make a good first impression.
Do not say anything bad about your previous job or boss, it will only highlight your negatives and stop them from trusting you.
Networking at events or talking about what you are after with your friends and family may help to find the perfect role.
So that’s 12 years’ experience in recruiting all rounded up into one useful blog. If you feel that you have any extra tips feel free to share below!
Good luck and fingers crossed your dream job is just around the corner.
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