Getting a job which provides you with peace of mind is one of the biggest decisions you should get right in life. Employment and career can do wonders with your way of living if chosen right. Everyone goes through the job hunting phase at least once in their lifetime and it is vital to do it right every time possible. Those who have been through the job-hunting process at least once will know how difficult it is to manage different perspectives of it. From documentation to choosing the right offer, it's a headache for anyone applying for any niche opportunities.
Technology has grown and there are multiple employment portals available that makes job hunting easier. Most of them offer paid as well as free job search packages which are handled by a voice support team or a team of hr practitioners. By leveraging such efficient platforms and following this 5 step approach, you can easily streamline the entire job hunting process to achieve better outcomes with lesser efforts.
Be up-to-date
Inorder to keep up with today’s fast paced society, online presence is inevitable. Before even thinking about a job change, it's always better to start from updating all your professional network and job portal profiles. Let it be LinkedIn, Angellist, Waahjobs by Olx or any other professional network or job portal, keep your profile updated by adding relevant information opportunities.
With the altering technologies, job scape and opportunities are also changing excessively. Understanding the industry requirements is a mandatory thing you should do before job hunting. Once you do proper research and get a whole picture of the industry requirements, revamp your profile accordingly. Get relevant certifications online if required, gather more skills based on your industry needs, and follow the social profiles of job providers and industry leaders to get more insights.
For eg, if you are a tele-calling professional, getting a certification which proves your language proficiency will aid in your job change. Likewise, give yourself an industry revamp and add or update all the relevant data on all your professional networks.
i. Update or build your resume
If you think your old resume is not good enough don't think twice, ditch it. Search for better options online through job portals, read helpful articles, try to get inspiration from industry leaders, and follow industry best practices.
The format, structure and content of the resume varies according to the nature of the job you’re applying to. Career objectives, experience, profile summary, and skillsets are some of the mandatory sections to be included in the resume. Along with each job mention, add job responsibilities and achievements. Search for your ideal job openings and try to adapt to the job responsibilities and requirements from the job description. You can make use of this resume building guide for reference.
ii. Craft a unique cover letter
Your cover letter speaks for you. A cover letter helps you to give a personal touch to your self-introduction. According to a study from OfficeTeam, about 86 percent of executives polled stated cover letters are relevant when evaluating job candidates. Always keep the cover letter concise and straight to the point.
Craft unique cover letters for each application you send. Even if you have the same format for all of them, make sure to add employer-specific points like:
How you will align with the company's growth
How can you help with the employer's current strategies and requirements?
Try to convey three things in all your cover letters--
How well you know the company
How your skill sets align with the requirements
Your personality.
The first two pointers should be unique for all the applications and hence take time and create a solid cover letter each time you apply. To double-check, always have a colleague or a friend read them before sending it out.
If you are into creative fields, both of these don't really matter, but recommendations and portfolio does. A portfolio is a must-have for designers, content creators and similar professionals. Always keep the portfolio on the cloud so that it will be easier to access and showcase. Adobe Portfolio, Wix, etc are some of the best websites to create your portfolio.
Although people sometimes succeed sending out fancy and casual toned emails for job applications. Just to be on the safe side, it's always better to keep your emails crisp and professional.
Some tips for crafting a professional email copy
Add referrals and recommendations in the first paragraph itself considering most of the recruiters will just scan the mail copy.
Express your passion for the job opportunity in the copy and precisely mention why you applied for the job.
Don't make it too long nor too short.
While closing off, mention your contact details and your available hours to connect.
Proofread your emails and don't forget to attach the resume and cover letter along.
Email creates the primary impression on the recruiter so it is always better not to mess it up. Avoid sending bulk emails and copy-pasting the same content for each recruiter. Even if you copy-paste, never make mistakes. Mentioning wrong nouns is the most common mistake found amongst the bulk job outreach mails. To avoid this, thoroughly read your email at least twice before sending it. Follow up with your recruiter after 4 to 5 days. Usually most of the job applications will get replies in the first or second follow up. Respond to the replies as early as possible and keep a chart or reminder for timely follow-ups.
To sum this all up:
i. Keep your emails crisp and professional
ii. Start with salutation and self-introduction
iii. Mention referrals in the first part of the copy
iv. Don't make it too long or too short
v. Never copy-paste the same mail for multiple recruiters
vi. Express your passion for the job in your copy
vii. Follow up after 3-4 days
Whether it is telephonic, video or in-person interview your personality is the key. Everyone adores good listeners. Listen carefully before you speak. Verbal, as well as nonverbal communication, plays a major role in interview processes.
When the interviewer is addressing something, carefully listen to him and try to understand what he meant. The interview is not a debate ring. You should always keep that in mind. Always listen to understand and not to reply. This doesn’t mean that you should agree with whatever the interviewer says during the process.
Express your views and reply to them politely. A healthy conversation with the interviewer is always encouraged and will help you get a bookmark in the list of applicants. Dress appropriately for direct and video interviews. Maintaining a positive and calm attitude throughout the process will aid in building a bond with the interviewer.
i. Telephonic interviews
Phone screens or telephonic interviews usually last 10 - 30 minutes. Although this might seem easy, 80% of the candidates never clear the phone screening.
Here are some tips to follow:
When you schedule the screening, make sure you are available at that time or request for another time slot.
Never attend the interview when you are surrounded by background noises and disturbances.
Be prepared for the interview forehand and keep all your documents closer to you.
Speak formally and use positive language and gestures.
If a direct interview is not scheduled at the end of the call, ask when you can follow up with the recruiter and how.
Keep a note of everything during your phone screen and if you are not capable of that, try to record the conversation for future reference.
Sending a thank-you note via email is also a good practice to follow after the telephonic round.
ii. Video interviews
When you are attending a video interview, all your equipment, i.e, your laptop or cell phone with a working camera and microphone must be working perfectly fine. Make sure your video camera and audio are well synced and clear. Test your equipment before the screening to ensure the smooth going of your interview. Similar to the phone screen, video interviews also should be scheduled at a prompt time ensuring no background disturbances. Make sure your frame is neat and you dress up formally. Keep a positive attitude throughout the session and never slouch before the recruiter.
iii. Face to face interview
Direct interviews might require extra efforts. Before the process, try to gather as much information you can about the firm. Be punctual and act professional. Improve your communication skill forehand since it plays the vital role in acing you the position. Never argue with the recruiter and always try to keep a positive tone. Getting too personal and talking unnecessarily are some of the practices to avoid. Keep your attitude uptight and be kind and thoughtful throughout the process.
Money is not the only factor to consider while choosing a job opportunity. You should always keep in mind that you are going to spend the next few years of your life there. Company culture plays a vital role in developing one's personality. Have an understanding about your career intentions and see if the job aligns with your personal goals.
Self assessment should be the key for the selection. Pay attention to details and always consider what matters to you most. Clarify your doubts and uncertainties with the recruiter before signing the offer letter. Your workplace shouldn't be a nightmare for you and always hold on to your principles. Toxic work environments can wreck you, so always enquire, research and make decisions wisely. If not dealt properly, emotional imbalances of toxic workplaces could get carried on to your personal life too.
Job hunting can be exhilarating as well as exhausting. Some job hunts go quickly and some may last months (or even longer!). Being prepared for every instance of the job hunting journey will not only save you time and headaches, but it will also make you a cleverer and more hire-able candidate!
Happy job hunting fellas!