Check Your Resume For
Mistakes
Before submitting your resume to
a potential employer, check it for corrections at least
three times before handing it over. After researching
about the job position, it is vital that you format your
resume to tie in with the requirements of the company.
For instance, if you are applying for an accounting job,
you should put in detail your accounting experience on
your resume. Typographical and grammatical errors are
critical no-no's. It is also ideal to keep the length of
the resume' to at least a page and a half long.
Taking the Interview
Challenge
A study conducted by a staffing
and consulting firm based in California which
corresponded with 1,400 chief financial officers
concluded that candidates for employment made most of
their mistakes on their interviews. Some of the mistakes
they made include:
• Arriving late
• Having limited knowledge
about the company
• Having limited knowledge
about the job applied for
• Having a superiority
complex
• Behaving arrogantly
The body language of the
candidate should also indicate that he is poised yet not
overwhelming. He should maintain eye contact, have a
firm handshake, and evade looking defensive by the act
of crossing the arms. Wearing the appropriate clothing
is vital for projecting a confident stance. As they say,
it is better to go to an interview over-dressed than
being under-dressed.
Answer Questions Smartly
An ordinary blunder of
interviewees is that they have a tendency to get nervous
and not recall the questions that are given to them,
which has the effect that they are not prepared for the
interview. It is essential to research the company and
the position applied for to avoid being side-tracked
throughout the interview. If you do not know the answer
to the questions being asked, it is better to state you
don't know the answer to the question and add that you
can research about it. Look for the skills or expertise
that the company is looking for so that when interview
day comes and the interviewer asks about your strengths
and core competencies, you will be able to match it to
what they require.
Getting the Necessary
Referrals
Having a referral from one of the company employees can
go a long way toward landing an interview. A normal
company may get job applications in the hundreds and
typically 35% to 60% of all job vacancies are filled by
referrals. The likelihood of getting hired when you have
a referral are very high if you have an additional 200
to 500 applicants vying for the same position. If you do
not know someone from the company that may give you a
referral, it is a good idea to network the alumni of
your college or university, trade groups, social
networks, and professional associations. Keep in mind,
having a referral significantly increases your
likelihood of getting the position.
