Job-Hunting Tips - [website] Published: 25th of Nov 2011 by: Miss Knowitall
Looking for a job is not as simple as just emailing your CV to a dozen companies and then sitting back and waiting for your call, no matter how qualified you might be.
We all know that in South Africa the number of unemployed people is alarmingly high; a fact that does not bode well for job seekers. So to be taken seriously as a candidate you’ve got to act seriously.
The following tips will help improve your chances of being hired and make you more comfortable with the job-hunting process:
Ensure that your CV is 100% up-to-date and complete. Employers will rarely spend their time interviewing someone who has obviously spent little time on their own CV. Include all your contact details, past employment history and reasons for leaving your previous jobs.
Broaden your criteria for the type of job you want. While you shouldn’t have to settle for a job you won’t be happy in, there are several reasons to consider taking a less paying / lower position / uninteresting job. These include the money you’ll earn, the experience you’ll gain and the contacts you will make.
Apply for jobs using the medium the job advert suggests. If they want you to drop off your CV in person, then go in, if they want an email send them an email. This demonstrates that you are capable of following instructions and also allows the employer the face-to-face contact he or she may want or the chance to screen the applicants prior to interviews.
Keep track of the companies you have contacted and be prepared for them to phone you back. If they do phone you back you should be prepared for them to arrange an interview with you – try to be as flexible as possible with your times, double check the address as well as date and time of the interview.
Always answer the phone politely and professionally during the job-hunting phase. If you receive a call from a potential employer and are in a noisy environment, ask the caller to hold and remove yourself to somewhere quiet.
Be prepared to interview. Consider the questions the interviewer might ask and think of appropriate responses. While the interview will probably not go the way it does in your head the process of asking yourself these questions will help prepare you for the actual interview.
Dress smartly, make a good first impression and don’t be too let down if you don’t get the job; it can be a long process but with the right attitude and a bit of tenacity it usually pays off in the end.
