How to Survive a Job Search Competition
When it comes to recruiting an employee, it occasionally seems that a job application wins due to a favourable alignment of the sun, moon, and stars.
Or maybe hiring an employee is akin to a lottery. Alternatively, employing an employee is like tossing a number of darts and hoping one of them lands in the target.
But the essential issue remains unanswered. What distinguishes one candidate from another in a job search competition? Employees that were employed accomplished many things correctly. Even better, they didn’t do anything wrong.
When comparing candidates, an employer must distinguish between well-qualified individuals. Applicants who seem to possess the traits, abilities, education, experience, and expertise sought by the company are asked to interview. One is chosen. How do you become the ‘one’?
Your personal presentation must make you stand out from the crowd.
Your CV and cover letter were successful, targeted, and tailored, and they got you in the door. Perhaps a phone screen enabled you to showcase experience and interests that aligned with the employer’s requirements. You’re on the right track, and an interview has been set up.
From this point on, the prospective employer is evaluating your fit for the job, the culture, and the team’s requirements and strengths. At this stage, the employer is giving you every chance to blow it.
Your physical appearance is important. It is the first thing that the employer notices. Your dress, hair, makeup, jewellery, and accessories provide a strong first impression. Make the finest first impression possible. Your self-presentation as a candidate must be immaculate. Job applications are sunk when shoes aren’t shined.
Interaction with You During Interviews Either you nail your job or you fail.
- Preparing for the interview should entail developing detailed, professional responses to probable queries. You want to come across as informed, capable, and experienced. You must be prepared to provide specific instances of what you have achieved, contributed, and feel is significant. This is not something that most individuals can accomplish successfully on the spur of the moment. Prepare your replies.
- Pay close attention to the physical aspects of yourself that will be on display during an interview across a desk or conference table. Dirty fingernails are important, as is the small stain on your shirt. They give strong signals about your attention to detail and personal hygiene routines.
- Communication that is relaxed is essential. Discuss workplace concerns and objectives that are important to you. In order to determine if the culture is a suitable match for you, ask questions. You don’t want to join every organisation you come across throughout your job hunt. Trust me when I say that it’s sometimes preferable to keep searching.
- Before making an offer, savvy employers do a broad networking enquiry to locate individuals who have known you in previous employment, professional affiliations, and community participation activities. Smart employers do rigorous background checks as well. What others say about you is important.
- It may be tough for you to accept that how you live your life and conduct yourself at work counts. However, your values and how they emerge in your professional life are important. Living with integrity, playing well with coworkers, leaving friends – not enemies – in your prior jobs will support you in your job search. And, when the employer who has the job you really want casts his net to solicit feedback, ensure what people say about you will win you your dream job.
- Prepare your references and past bosses to promptly and professionally answer your potential employer’s call. Employers who call them will ask a lot of questions. Unreachable references might jeopardise your employment offer.
- Employers customarily “google” their candidates’ names and do online searches to do a background check on the candidate. If you have odd Internet references to your work, your life, or your background, beware. If you blog or write a website, your comments will impact hiring decisions. You may never find out why you were not hired for the position. However, the interested employer will inquire about their worry.
Behave as if Every Interaction Matters—Because They Do
From the initial phone screen or the phone call during which an employer sets up an interview, every interaction matters.
The receptionist has a vote. She or he makes statements like, “I really liked that candidate. He was so nice.” “Did you see how late he was and he never even apologised?” “I didn’t like him at all.”
Additionally, if you are a favoured candidate for hiring, the HR staff or the hiring manager will stay closely in touch to give you feedback. They will let you know how the hiring process is progressing because they think you may be the one. When these calls start coming, you still have competition from other job searchers, but you are definitely on the shortlist.
These interactions and the relationship-building are critical to the employer hiring an employee. When the eventual offer comes, you already have a relationship with the new employer. Building the relationship matters.
These tips for winning the job search competition are based on recent hiring. May they help you win your job search competition.
