Get the Job!!! - Part 2: Preparation for the Job Application Process

After aligning your CV with your LinkedIn profile, you’re still not fully ready to enter the job market. There’s a crucial step you need to take before starting your job search: clearly defining your goals and understanding your premises and limitations.

Defining Goals and Limitations

Before applying for new positions, it’s essential to know exactly where you want to go and whether you’re truly ready to cut ties with your current company. Clearly define the positions you want to reach and your career goals. Having a well-defined direction helps you focus your search and avoid unnecessary distractions. However, if an unexpected opportunity arises, don’t dismiss it right away. If someone believes you can fulfill that role, don’t be the first to say no.

It’s also crucial to understand your premises and limitations. Ask yourself the following questions:

- Work Model: Do you prefer hybrid, remote, or on-site work? If you choose on-site or hybrid work, what is the maximum distance you’re willing to commute daily? And in the case of hybrid work, how many days per week are you willing to go to the office?

- Salary Expectations: Clearly define your salary expectations, considering both gross and net monthly values as well as annual values. Be aware that some salary components are paid 11 times a year and others 14 times a year. A higher monthly net value can sometimes result in a lower annual net value. The figure you mention in the first interview can be decisive: it can exclude you from the process, set a lower market offer, or, conversely, undervalue you if you ask for a lower-than-expected amount for the role.

- Availability: Are you available to work overtime? To be on call? How many vacation days are you entitled to, and is there any mandatory period to take them? If you already have holidays booked that might overlap with your new job, it’s important to inform the employer upfront. Additionally, if you need to work elsewhere temporarily before fully transitioning to the new role, ask if that possibility exists.

- Start Date: How much time do you need to start working if you accept an offer today?

-Location and Visa Requirements: Do you currently live in the country where the job is located, or will you need a visa to work there? It’s important to be clear about your ability to work in the country, as visa requirements can significantly affect the hiring process and your availability.

Preparing for Key Questions

In addition to defining your preferences and limitations, you should be prepared to answer key questions that will come up in interviews. These questions help recruiters understand who you are, what motivates you, and how you handle challenges. Some of the most common questions include:

- Why are we having this conversation today?: Be prepared to explain why you’re looking for a new opportunity and what attracts you to the position in question.

- Are you dissatisfied with any situation at your current job?: Answer honestly but constructively, without disparaging your current employer.

- What task did you dislike the most in your work environment?: Be honest, but avoid focusing exclusively on the negatives; show how you overcame the situation.

- What was the most enjoyable activity you did recently?: Share a positive experience and how it motivated you.

- Describe a difficult situation you faced at work and how you resolved it.: Demonstrate your ability to face and overcome challenges, highlighting the lessons learned.

- Where do you see yourself in five years?: This question is crucial for assessing your long-term goals and alignment with the company’s vision. Be realistic yet ambitious, and ensure your answer reflects both your personal aspirations and how you can contribute to the company's growth.

Ready to Enter the Job Market

After clarifying these answers for yourself, you’ll be better prepared to get noticed by companies and recruiters. Knowing your goals, limitations, and having well-structured responses to common interview questions puts you in a stronger position during the selection process.

In the next article, we’ll discuss how to maximize your visibility and attractiveness to recruiters, taking the next step toward your new opportunity.

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