How to Get the Job You Want

Follow these tips and you’re sure to get the job that you want.

These days it can be tough to get a foot in the door. When your competition is high and your hopes are low, there are strategies you can use to get the job you want. If you feel like you could use a leg up on the next applicant, keep reading for tips that will help you stand out in the crowd.

Update Your Resume.

Don’t let your resume get outdated. While it’s obvious that you want to keep your employment history up to date, you will also want to update your skills and interests. Make sure this iteration of your resume is a true reflection of the present you — not you from 2017.

Make It Personal.

Don’t send cookie-cutter copies of your cover letter and resume to the employer. Always include a personal touch that shows you not only thoroughly read the job advertisement, but that you are also interested in the company itself. How do the values of the business align with your own? What will you bring to the existing company culture? These are great questions you can answer to help draw out that connection.

Be a Forever Learner.

Industries change over time and adapt to new technology, but are you keeping up? Whether it’s a part-time course or a new certification, you can show how passionate you are about your industry by ensuring your skills are topnotch. It’s often these small details that can make you stand out from the next person who has a very similar background to you. Is money an issue? Consider free courses like those offered by FutureLearn, an online learning platform that works with world-class universities and industry experts.

Shorten your Cover Letter and Resume.

From my previous experience Human Resources, I can tell you that many of the most effective cover letters and resumes were the ones that only took up one page (each). Think of these as a snapshot of who you are. Having this limit will help you keep your message concise, and prevent the information from becoming too redundant.

Be Sincere.

Be sure that this is the job you really want, and not the one you are settling for. Even during the application process, employers can usually weed out the people who applied for the job because it was there, versus those that have a vested interest in the position. Consider your options carefully, because the employer is considering applicants carefully too.

Follow these tips and you’re sure to get the job that you want. With a little bit of effort and trust in timing, you’ll get the job that’s meant for you. Good luck on your employment ventures, reader.