A Guide To Effective Job Hunting

Applying Effectively

Acknowledge your CV is your personal brand and first impression of your potential employer. You may need to tailor your CV to an organisation’s requirements using keywords related to your profession. Related keywords and examples of your hard skills boost your chances of getting through ATS and then the hiring manager.

You could use LinkedIn as a tool to find the related keywords on the job poster preferences. You could find related keywords in the job description, job advert and then concisely relate these keywords to your experience and goal setting. The tone you use in your CV or cover letter throughout should be achievement-based and not task-based.

Small Changes That Can Make a Difference

Save your CV file as your career summary not just as ‘CV’
Ensure your CV is saved as a PDF
Create a new professional email address account solely for your career
Ensure all your employment history has been updated and aligns with the role you are applying for
Remove any details of your referees on your Resume/CV

Interviewing Effectively

The first impression in-person begins as soon as you interact with any employee at the organisation for your interview regardless of their job rank. When it comes to interviews likeability is an important factor in the decision-making process.

When you are at the interview you are in the seat facing your potential new manager and work colleagues and this is an opportunity to showcase your likeable personality whilst demonstrating assertiveness and knowledge of your field.

Demonstrate the traits of a valuable team member through subtle things through your non-verbal communication. Positive body language gestures such as good posture, nodding, and maintaining eye contact can make a huge difference and these show you are confident and engaged in the conservation.

Remember that your non-verbal communication is as important as your verbal communication at a jobinterview.

Assess and Respond Accordingly

Interviewers have different styles but these different styles are still to find the right person for the organisation. In an interview, there is most likely an interviewer that takes the lead and is more talkative that makes candidates feel at ease. Try and connect with this individual by responding accordingly verbally and non verbally to their approach whilst still engaging with the other interviewers on the panel who may not be as vocal.

Assess the body language and mood of the interviewers whilst answering questions this can help the quality of your answers halfway into an interview.

Are they showing non-verbal cues that they agree or disagree with your answers?
Are they engaged by your answers?

Assess your tone of voice, enthusiasm level, and structure of your answers.

Ask open-end questions at the end of the interview that demonstrates your desire to make an impact on the organisation and add value.