Employers literally receive hundreds of resumes for jobs from potential candidates on a daily basis. How do you make yourself stand out from the rest and be a prime candidate in order to get an interview? The first thing you will want to look at is your resume, as this is really a hiring manager’s first impression of you. This is also the document that employers will scrutinize and analyze in order to get an idea of who you are, as well as your level of skills. There are countless resources on the Internet that can be helpful when writing an effective resume. You can also do a search for samples of resumes to give you an idea of what a professional resume looks like.
After you successfully obtain an interview because you were noticed by not only your work history, but also your ability to prove your sharp grammatical and writing skills, you’ll want to be just as impressionable when you obtain a face-to-face interview. The first judgment an interviewer makes is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing. That’s why, in many cases, it is still important to dress professionally for a job interview, regardless of the type of job you are interviewing for. Although it is becoming more socially acceptable, exposed tattoos and facial piercings are still not very appealing to an interviewer when you are applying for a position where you’ll be in the public eye.
Always ensure that you not only look the part, but act professionally and respectfully when you are on the hunt for a job. Being too pushy, lazy or hostile can quickly get you disqualified for the job you want, let alone an interview. While it is acceptable to follow up regarding how your interview went and so on, remember to find the balance between getting feedback and being overly persistent – it is a fine line that you won’t want to cross. You are not the interviewer’s only candidate. Remember what we said in the beginning of this blog – employers literally receive hundreds of resumes on a daily basis.
Be communicative. Employers will most likely schedule qualified candidates who respond to an email quickly, in a few minutes or so, as “a high energy person who is engaged”. Someone who does not reply for two or three days may imply that they are less energetic and engaged, or even not all that interested in the job. It’s important to show you’re energetic and a quick study, especially if you’re a mature job seeker or one who has been out of the workplace for a few years.
Getting noticed by potential employers is not as hard as you might think. Your application materials have to be perfect, of course, but you’ll also need to actively market yourself in a professional manner…to make yourself the better applicant.
This post was written by Stacy Hafer, Clerical and Professional Recruiter.