Business

Searching for a Job?

As any job seeker knows, landing the job of your dreams isn’t easy. From the interview process to personality assessments and even writing the perfect résumé, it can be tough to stand out in a crowd of qualified applicants.

Recruiters receive a plethora of résumés per job posting and, unfortunately, only about two percent of applicants actually land an interview. However, there are ways to boost your attractiveness to recruiters by increasing— and showcasing — your skills.

Ensure you’re a fit

Experts agree that, while you may not meet each and every desired skill in a job posting, the better a fit you are, the better the chances you have for being considered for the position. Review the posting with care to be sure you qualify and could be an asset in the role before taking the time to apply. After all, your time is valuable, too, and is best spent where it can have the most impact.

Customize your résumé

No cookie cutter résumés here! As a best practice, it is wise to customize your resume based on the position for which you’re applying. For example, highlight the skills you have that match the posting on your resume and cover letter. Likewise, adjust your career objective/summary at the top of your resume to coincide with the role at hand. Using one cookie-cutter resume for all positions you apply for is a lazy an ineffective way to go about your job search. Tailor your resume to match the job in order to help yourself get noticed.

Proofread your cover letter and résumé

Let’s get back to basics. One of the quickest ways to get your résumé tossed in the trash is a spelling, grammar or punctuation error. It is key to have your resume looked over by another set of eyes (not just spellcheck) to flag any errors you may have missed. After all, you want to put your best foot forward.

Include volunteer and mentoring work

In order to pad your résumé with the largest amount of good information, always add on any pertinent volunteer, philanthropic or mentoring work you’ve done, even it wasn’t done professionally. Prospective employers are typically interested in folks who have the desire and motivation to go above and beyond, and volunteer work is a great way to demonstrate this, as well as your moral beliefs.

Enhance your skills

Obtaining new skills can broaden your expertise and help you land a job. For example, take an online course based on the industry you’re trying to get hired in. Writing, accounting, communications or presentation skills can come in handy for a wide variety of roles. Or consider job shadowing someone you know in the industry you’re vying for. This is an excellent way to get a better feel for what the role requires and show that you’re willing to go the extra mile.

Others may consider obtaining a CDL license in order to land one of the many jobs out there that require a Commercial Driver’s License. While many jobs may offer field training once you land the job, recruiters are likely to be more impressed by those who already have this certification.

Be interview-ready

It’s wise to be ready at a moment’s notice for an interview. This includes having copies of your résumé printed on résumé paper, a professional outfit to wear and a set of questions to ask the interviewer. Preparation is priceless in searching for your next job.

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