Going for a new job is always nerve-wracking – how are you supposed to get across everything you want to in one document and a short interview? It’s a really tricky thing to do – treading the line between sharing your credentials and showing you’re a great fit personality-wise is a really difficult balance to strike, and it’s easy to come away feeling like you sold yourself short. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to boost your chances and your confidence.
- Get voluntary experience
Although what’s important for a job is that you’re qualified to do it, recruiters are almost always looking for so much more than that. They don’t just want someone who can come in, do the job and go away again every day – they want someone who can bring something more to the team, adding some passion, expertise, or interesting skills to the package that they might not have seen before. The best way to show that you’re this kind of person – a person who cares about what they do and is willing t take initiative – is to make sure you’ve got some ‘extra-curriculars’ on your resume, whether it be school fundraising or organizing a salsa contest. Show them who you are through your experiences, not your words.
- Make an impression
How many resumes do you think the average recruiter has to sift through for each and every vacancy? Hundreds, perhaps thousands – it probably feels like millions. And no matter how awesome yours is, no matter how overflowing with experience and expertly designed you’ve made it – they all start to read the same after a while. So you need to set yourself apart from the crowd by taking a risk and submitting a video resume, which you can easily make on https://cruitscout.com/. You can convey all the same information as a paper resume (and it’s worth sending your written resume as well), but this is also an unusual move that shows you’re able to take initiative, and simultaneously gives them the chance to meet you before any of the other candidates – an extra opportunity to show them you’re the right person for the job before other applicants have had the chance.
- Relax!
Once you’ve done all the work, sent in your application, and absolutely nailed that video resume, all you can do is wait – and the only real difference between a pessimist and an optimist is that the optimist has a better time waiting. So kick back, learn more about wine by drinking it, and treat yourself to your favorite takeout meal as a reward for all your hard work. You haven’t got the job yet – but you gave it your best shot, so you know if they don’t give you an interview, it’s for sure their problem, not yours.
There are a million tips out there for getting job interviews, but it all really comes down to making an impression – you won’t get an offer if they don’t remember who you are. Be bold, be confident, and most of all – be enthusiastic!
