Interview is the first step to explore possibilities of employment with prospective employer. Most of the time job seekers find this step the most difficult. Please read through the pointers below to see if you are not falling into these traps:
1. Revisit your resume:
Do proper research of perspective employer and the role before applying your candidature. Be clear what the employer is looking out for & how you can contribute to the organization. Circulating same resume to all the companies would not help capturing the attention of employers. Hiring managers would always be interested to understand why ‘YOU’ are the best fitment for the role and your research comes handy in this.
2. CV isn’t Keyword Rich:
Companies receives high volumes of resumes & therefore uses scanning software to search for keywords to determine which candidates needs to be called for interviews. One should therefore read through the JD (Job Description) carefully & craft resume accordingly to ensure getting pass through in the scanning of the interview.
3. Your Cover-letter isn’t a good Sales pitch:
Think of your cover letter as a sample that convinces the hiring manager your resume, the main course, is worth sampling. The best of cover letters encapsulates selected details from the resume and explains how your talents and experience matches with what the prospective employer is looking out for.
4. Too embellished:
Your resume and cover letter should flow and be understandable. Don’t get too technical, use flowery language, or stretch the truth with your experience and skills. Your resume should only talk the things that you have done in the past. Don’t exaggerate!
5. Your application isn’t perfect:
Read through your resume carefully & ensure there is no typos or grammatical errors to get pass your chances of securing an interview.
6. You only focus on the Google’s of the world:
Don’t be under impression that companies that gain headlines are always good places to work. Since these are the names on everyone’s lips, therefore they receive thousands of resumes for each opening. One should always try exploring opportunities with small and midsize companies by having eyes and ears open to other apart from Google.
7. Step up the Networking:
Using the name of a common contact to make the connection between you and the hiring manager is by far the best way to ensure your cover letter and resume get optimal attention. So, keep in touch with members of your professional network; you never know who has a contact at the company you hope to work for.
8. Follow up with the Hiring Manager:
Generally, one should contact a hiring manager within two weeks of sending a resume and cover letter. A brief phone call or e-mail reasserting your interest in the position would definitely help as Manager also gets an impression that you are serious about the job you have applied your candidature for.
9. You didn’t follow the application method specified:
Sometimes job applicants make the mistake of using the same method of application for every job even though this may not be the one specified by the potential employer. For example if an employer wants you to apply in writing posting your application then do this and don’t send an email. Follow application instructions very carefully.
10. You’re not as qualified as you think:
As suggested above, before submitting your resume, take a close look at the job description and compare your skills and experience with those required for the position. Most of the time its observed that people without carefully looking at the JD submit their applications. The bottom line is that you might not be the best fitment for the job as you think.
