5 Tips to Help You Get Hired

In such a competitive market, when was the last time you thought to yourself, “You know what I would love.. for my job search to take FOREVER?” The answer to that is probably never. For most, when it comes to a job search the end goal is to get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Sometimes, the desire or need to find a job can lead you to take actions that may harm your results. Rushing through application processes can lead to mistakes and poor decisions because, like most things in life, quality always beats quantity. If you want to bag yourself the dream next role in little next to no time, then you may want to consider a few things to improve results.

I have devised a list of 5 tips on how I think you can improve your chances of getting hired:

1.??????Don’t believe everything a job description says

This could go two ways. Firstly, don’t rule yourself out due to the fact you don’t meet the 10 bullet points on the job description. Sometimes even the biggest companies don’t know what they are looking for! On the other hand, don’t automatically think that you are a perfect fit if you do meet all of the criteria. There’s no way you will know you’re a perfect fit until you meet the hiring manager and learn about the role in further detail. No job description is 100% accurate (unfortunately).

Treat it as a guide. Compare your experience and knowledge to the skills required, and apply if you meet 75% of those requirements. Have you done work that is similar? Are you confident that you can take on the responsibilities required, even if you don’t have prior experience? Remember, you don’t need to know everything. Managers want people who are excited to work for their company and are willing to learn.

2.??????Upskill

“Once you stop learning, you start dying” – Albert Einstein

It’s always a good idea to demonstrate to employers that you use your free time wisely. Showing initiative and learning new skills will enhance your CV and give you a competitive advantage against other candidates. It could even broaden your options when it comes to searching for a job.

Think about how you can leverage your experience against market trends. For example, if you are a Data Analyst that loves working with data, you might consider picking up a course in Data Science to help futureproof your career prospects, as the Data Science industry seems to grow day-by-day. ?

3.??????Make your CV stand out

Research shows employers spend 6-8 seconds reviewing a CV before they decide whether it is suitable for a vacancy or not. 80% of CVs do not get shortlisted, meaning they do not make it past the first screen. How can you ensure your CV catches their eye?

To make sure your CV really stands out, tailor it to the role and company you’re applying for. It should highlight your career progression, skills, and keywords that are in the job description, and showcase achievements that are listed in the “must-haves” for the role. Clearly demonstrating achievements/outcomes that you have successfully delivered for clients will ultimately catch eyes in no time. It might be a good idea to describe accomplishments in quantitative terms (units sold, money saved, number of projects delivered, etc.)

It should also be noted you want your CV to be as concise as possible. As the attention span is between 6-8 seconds, try and keep your CV under 2 pages. And don’t forget to spell check – you want it to be perfect!

4.??????Network

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. This age-old saying as frustrating as it might be does tend to be the case in many situations. It is not uncommon for companies to receive over 300 applications on a job advert. There are ways to get ahead of the crowd, however.

Use your connections (or us) to find out about opportunities. If you see a suitable vacancy being advertised at a company that employs people you know, get them to put in a good word for you. If you can get someone to put in a good word for you, this will give your application a lot more weight. Alternatively, try and find the hiring manager on LinkedIn and get in contact directly. This may help you get in the door and beat off the crowd.

5.??????Stay Positive

The job search can be a daunting and frustrating task. It is understandable if you are feeling low or anxious about the search. It is important to give yourself space and time to express these feelings and remind yourself that support is available.

No matter how you are feeling about your former boss, always remain focused on their positive traits and how they helped you grow. Hiring managers want to know you’re an agreeable person to work with and show initiative when faced with challenges. The goal is to move forward, even in negative situations.

If you are looking for your next role in the Data & Analytics space, or want to see what is out there. Please feel free to get in touch with me at [email protected]