Stand out! – Application to Interview

The job market today may be is tough so standing out as a candidate is crucial!? You must ensure from your very first interaction to the last that you stand out as a suitable candidate.

My top 10 tips to ensure you are a standout candidate:

1.Customise your resume!

This is your first impression, make sure you have created a resume that aligns with the role you are applying for, tailor it to showcase your abilities performed in past roles and why you’re the best fit for the job.

Use the job description and match your resume to fit!

• What responsibilities are mentioned?
• What specific requirements are there?

What themes and keywords are there throughout the ad? (leadership, collaborative, computer literacy).

?2. Give evidence of your contributions to your work!

Instead of stating you helped “improved sales over the years”, adjust it to “increased sales by X% within X months”.

3. Proofread your resume!

Grammar, spelling and formatting mistakes are not a good first impression and truthfully, it can cause you to get overlooked in the process.

A meticulously proofread resume and cover letter shows that strong communication skills which no matter what industry, is a key attribute to showcase.

Make your resume visually appealing, clear and concise and use bullet points to make it easily readable,

4. Company Research!

Understand the company, research them thoroughly, familiarise yourself with values, mission, objectives and company culture.

Check their website, recent news articles, and social media presence.? ??You can use this information to highlight ?your motivation for your application.

5. Interview Prep!

Once you have nailed your application, prepare for the interview.

6. Study the job description carefully!

Understand the key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities. Think about how your past experiences and skills align with the job requirements.

Prepare examples that demonstrate your suitability for the role.? You need to be able to demonstrate your experience, a good tip is to Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

7. Practice your answers!

Conduct mock interviews with friends, family, or mentors. This helps in gaining confidence and receiving constructive feedback.

Consider Recording your responses, this can help you evaluate your body language, tone, clarity and pace.

8. Prepare Questions for the Interviewer

Put all your research to use, ask the interviewer questions, show you have been actively listening and not just listening to reply.? Consider,

“What attributes do successful people in your company usually have?” “How do you measure success here?”

“Tell me about the future growth of the company” How do you drive your workplace culture?”

9. Stay Positive!

Maintain a positive attitude throughout the process. Confidence and enthusiasm can make a significant impact.

10. Be Authentic!

Be yourself and answer questions honestly. Authenticity helps build a genuine connection with the interviewer.

Standing out as a potential candidate is about preparation, engagement, genuine interest and learning.

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