Beginning a search for a new job can be a daunting experience, regardless of what stage you are in your life. If it’s your first job, then this is likely to be a completely new challenge, and if you’re changing careers later on, you may not have had to undertake a job search in a long time.
Luckily, there are things that you can do to help you stand out among the other candidates.
So, if you’re putting together a job application, here are just five fantastic ways that you can make yourself a more appealing candidate.
1. Research Your Desired Role
Before you begin your job search, it’s essential that you research your desired role. Not only to ensure that you’re a good fit for your career path, but so that you can gain an insight to what working in your chosen industry will be like.
Platforms such as Glassdoor can be a great place for you to learn more about a specific company and an industry on the whole.
Here you can access employee reviews as well as expected salary ranges, allowing you to make an informed decision before you begin your applications.
2. Tailor Your CV to the Company
When crafting your CV, it’s important that it’s tailored to every company that you apply to. This will not only help you to demonstrate how you’re the perfect fit for a position, but also show that you’ve taken the time to research the company.
Save time by creating a template of a CV which will allow you to foreground different aspects of your experience, qualifications, and personality.
Just make sure not to always change the company name and details, particularly in your cover letter!
3. Take Part in Volunteering
While qualifications are often an essential factor that employers look for when hiring, if you hope to stand out from the crowd, you’ll need a special something.
Taking part in volunteer projects, such as those organised by Conservation Travel Africa can be a great way for you to not only broaden your own perspective, but demonstrate to a potential employer your commitment to worthy causes.
4. Improve Your Soft Skills
Another factor that many employers consider when selecting candidates for a role is their soft skills. These can include communication, organisation, and time management.
These don’t always come naturally, but like any skill, they can be improved and there are tools out there to help you along the way.
For example, if you struggle with time management, then apps such as Todoist can be a great way to help you keep track of tasks, meet deadlines, and ensure you never miss an appointment.
5. Get Interview Ready
One of the most daunting parts of applying for any job can be the interview. After all, not only do you have to sell yourself, but you can never know for sure what questions you’ll be asked.
However, if you take the time to practice answers to likely interview questions, you can start to cover typical conversation topics and have strong, thoughtful answers.
Have you recently applied for a new job? Share your experiences in the comments below!
