How to Get the Job You Want – 5 Keys to Success
- Written by Brigitte Evans
Building a career takes time, and when it’s time to start job-hunting, you want to make sure that you’re ready to dazzle your potential employer with your attitude, but also prepared and equipped to be the finest employee they could hire.
No matter your current education or aspirations, chances are that there are numerous opportunities for you to find that perfect position and start developing your professional goals. To help you get ahead and evolve your skills, use the following tips when you’re ready to apply for that dream job.
Never miss a chance to network
You still haven’t found that ideal position, or maybe you’re not sure that your dream company is hiring at all? Networking events should be a part of your regular monthly schedule while you’re looking for that dream job.
Why? Because you’ll both get to mingle, talk to professionals in your industry, learn of new opportunities sometimes even before they arise, and you might even get a chance to interview for a position on the spot if someone likes you and recognizes your value. Job fairs, conferences, and workshops are all great options to add to your list.
Spruce up your skill set
Although you might have officially wrapped up your academic education, learning is a lifelong process, and you should be prepared to continuously upgrade your skills. Not just because that will impress your employer, but because the workplace is changing fast, and new, diverse skill sets are necessary and appreciated.
For example, if you wish to work for a global organization, then language skills are essential, and English is the main way to communicate with people from all over the world. You can look into local classes and work on your English skills to prepare you for your new career. Added certificates and expanded knowledge are all excellent to showcase your desire to grow and they instantly help you qualify for a wider variety of jobs.
Mind your appearance
They say that you need to dress for success, but that’s only part of the truth: you also need to be mindful of all those details that can help your potential employers learn more about you as a person. For example, if you’re dealing with dandruff, you might not even consider that to be a factor in this process. However, when you wear a black suit, your appearance will be slightly diminished due to this simple issue. Add to that, that annoying itch could cause you to nervously scratch your scalp during the interview, leading them to believe that you’re anxious, nervous, and perhaps that you lack basic hygiene.
Self-care plays a crucial role in how you present yourself to future colleagues and bosses. Certain preventative measures such as adding an organic anti dandruff shampoo to your routine can help improve not just your appearance, but your presentation and behavior during an interview. Plus, your hair will give off a subtle, yet fresh scent which will only contribute to your clean, neat look. All of this will in turn elevate your confidence and empower you to take proactive measures to present yourself in the best possible light.
Practice for the interview
You can potentially be a Tesla, but if you can’t handle yourself in an interview, you risk losing the job opportunity to someone who comes better prepared. First of all, depending on the industry you’ll work in, check out the typical and most frequently covered questions. Ask a friend or a relative to roleplay the interview with you and point out how you can improve.
Yes, people expect you to be somewhat nervous in an interview, but you need to be able to form your opinions clearly and succinctly, to express your ideas, to share your previous experiences, and the like. And practice indeed makes perfect!
Be and stay proactive
Some people like their comfort zone. They will gladly finish the work given to them, and they’ll do so in time, and respect every given deadline. In this day and age, a growing number of employers have become more prone to hiring people who aren’t afraid of occasionally wandering out that comfort zone. What that means is that actively thinking about ways to work more effectively, or to come up with a better solution to something is highly valued today.
Be proactive and don’t be afraid to share your ideas, suggest changes, and offer smart solutions, even if everything seems fine as is. This proactive creativity is a great way to earn the appreciation of your colleagues and your employers, too.
Now that you’ve found that perfect job, you need to prepare yourself for the interview, but also the work itself. Even if that one opportunity falls through, you will certainly be able to find other available positions and employers who will recognize your effort. Make sure to put these tips to use, and you’ll be able to build your own battle plan for every single job interview you with to tackle.
