Here are some tips and best practices to consider when looking for a new job.
What you need to know for having a good CV
Before applying for jobs, it is important to have a good CV. Your CV is the first impression that a recruiter or hiring manager will get of you. According to TheLadders organisation, recruiters spend 80% of their reading time on the following information: Current job, previous job, gaps in the CV and trainings/qualifications. They also mention that recruiters only spend 5-10 seconds looking at a CV.
Therefore, having a simple, organized and precise CV will increase your chances of making it to the interview phase.
Basic rules to remember
Keep it simple and organized
Be as accurate and concise in your CV as you can and avoid long texts and paragraphs. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t have the time read everything on your CV, only the important points. We suggest that you use bullet points where possible and use the least words to form your sentences.
Keep it short
Ideally, your CV should be one page, making it easy for recruiters to navigate your skills and experiences and pinpoint what they are looking for. If a CV is too long, they simply won’t always look further.
Keep it tailored everytime
Tailor your experiences and qualifications to each position you apply for based off of the job description. Recruiters are looking to see if you meet their requirements, and the easiest way to show that you qualify for the job is to speak their language!
What information you need to have on your CV
You can include your mobile phone, work phone or home phone. Your email address should be professional to give a good first impression of you.
List any special projects or volunteer work in the education section.
If you have not completed your diploma you may write (Incomplete) beside the dates. If you are still in school and have yet to complete a diploma you may write (In progress).
It is important to start with your most recent experience.
Your responsibilities should be in Bullet form and relevant to the job. You should always carefully read the description of the job you are applying and tailoring your experience to match what is required. Keep it short and
include any achievements such as quantities (numbers) and targets met.
Your skills should be relevant to the position you are applying for.
Some examples could be skills related to computers or software (Microsoft Suite, ERP Systems, Scanners, etc.),
Licenses such as (Forklift licenses, Health & Safety
certificates such as (First Aid, CPR) and languages
spoken.
TIP: include your level of knowledge beside that skill. For example: Fluent in the English language or Basic understanding of Microsoft Excel.
Personal Information
– First and Last name
– Address
– Contact information
Education
– Name of educational institution, Program of study or type of diploma, and graduation year
Example:
A.B.C. High School – 2005
Highschool Diploma
Experience
– Employer, Job Title, Responsibilities and Dates worked.
Example:
Company A.B.C. (May 2001 – June 2005)
Forklift Operator
– Performed all duties related to safe operation of the Stand up Raymond Reach
– Load and Unload material from loading docks into the storage facility
Skills
List any relevant skills you may have.
Example:
– Fluent in English (Written and Spoken) and Intermediate in French
– Forklift License (Stand up reach)
What you need to know when applying for jobs
Basic rules to remember
Use as many resources as you can
Most people tend to only search for jobs online and end up limiting themselves to only one form of job search. Take advantage of as many job search options as possible. This means reaching out to companies (Cold calling, Cold Emailing hiring managers or showing up in person), career fairs, social media, recruiting agencies etc. By limited yourself to only one stream of job search, you are limited in the number of jobs that are made available to you and which you can choose from.
Network regularly
Whether it is in-person or online, interact with people and develop contacts. Networking can be done at seminars, social events, fundraisers etc. Let people know that you are looking for a job or want to work in a certain industry. You never know who what kind of advice they can give you or the connections they have that may help you in your job search.
What you need to know for your Job interview
The interview process starts with your preparation and ends with a follow-up
Proper preparation is key
Congratulations of making it to the interview stage! You’ve got an interview with a potential employer. At this stage of your job search, the preparation for the interview is as important as the interview itself. Here are some tips for great job interviews.
Preparation is important for an upcoming interview, whether the interview is by phone, by video or in person. Put some time into doing research on the company you are interviewing with, making yourself familiar with what they do, their goals and culture. This will help you get an idea of how to answer the question: “Why do you want to work for us?”, which usually appears in most interviews.
Quick tip: if allowed, ask questions about their company at the end of the interview. It shows that you have done your research and your interest in working for the company.
A proper follow-up is also key
Follow-ups emails or call after your interview send an overall good impression of you to hiring managers and recruiters. In some cases, follows up are even expected. They are also a good way to show that you are interested in the position.
It is important however to avoid sending multiple emails or leaving multiple voicemails to your potential employer. Reaching out to often may come across as being pushy and unprofessional which can hinder your application.
Basic rules to remember during an interview to avoid compromising your success in being hired
Don't be late
Always aim to be 15 minutes early to an interview. Arriving late shows that you may have poor time management. However, if you are late, it is always a good idea to call the hiring manager to let them know in advance to reduce the element of a bad surprise as much as possible.
Dress professionally
You want to make a good first impression and be as professional as you can. Dress professionally, make eye contact and be polite. These are one of the most common interview mistakes complained about by interviewers and hiring managers.
Be conscious about your personal hygiene
Food between your teeth, bad breath, uncombed hair, body odor are small things that may be noticed by the interviewer or hiring manager during the interview. Carefully check your appearance in the mirror prior to the interview.
Ensure to fully understand your CV
You will probably be asked about time gaps between jobs in your CV or any information that may be missing to be cleared up. Hiring managers love to address any red flags they see on a CV and you should be ready to back up your answers. If you need help finding red flags in your CV and how to explain them the right way, you can get free professional advice by Contacting one of our experts at Jobiste.
Avoid excessive self-esteem
Confidence is great but having an excessive ego is repulsive. Always provide factual information about yourself that you can use as an advantage. Some interviewers give you direct feedback and criticism during the interview, either to test you or not, but the ability handle this in a professional and humble matter shows that you are team player.
Avoid sensitive topics
There are certain topics that are best to be left alone during an interview. We recommend that you avoid bringing up salary at the beginning of the interview. It is generally preferable however to discuss salary during the interview so that everyone is on the same page. Discussing your salary too early in the interview may alert the interviewer that you are in it only for the money.
Another point is to never EVER talk badly about your previous employers. When asked for your reasons for leaving past jobs, make sure to leave out any issues you might of had with an employer.
Failing a job interview can be discouraging. However, it only means you aren’t a fit for that particular company. Even if it may be your “dream job”, there are thousands of companies that you may be a fit for. Remember that when the answer is No, there is always a better Yes down the road.
