Creating an impressive resume gets you in the door in the application process. It can literally make or break your application even before the company’s recruiter even speaks to you. So you would want your resume to stand out from the dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes that the recruiter goes through daily.
Your resume doesn’t have to be fancy with bells and whistles, what’s more important is your work experience or skills that are related to the job that you are applying for. But if you are applying for a job that requires creativity (graphic designer, social media marketer/manager, or video editor), then showing your creativity is a big plus by making a nice lay-out.
Tips on how to succeed in your application:
- Properly research the company and the job that you are applying for. This will serve you well during the interview as you are asked questions to see if you are a good fit for the company. .
- Double check your resume to make sure that all the information is complete, correct and updated. Make sure you put in your correct contact details especially if you’ve just changed your phone number. You don’t have to include non-job related information like the names of your parents, religion, height, weight, or even favorite color. As for your previous employers, make sure you put in your employment dates (start and end date) , what skills you acquired from that work experience, and how you were able to contribute to that organization..
- If you want to stand out from the dozens of other applicants, save it in pdf form or better yet as a Google Doc link that can easily be accessed through the email that you’ve sent out. Make sure you remember to edit the settings to be viewable by anyone with a link.
- When you email your application, make sure you also put a subject and a message. Don’t just leave it blank. Sometimes recruiters give specific instructions on what subject to put (example: I am your rockstar virtual assistant). So make sure you follow it correctly.
- When a schedule for an online or phone interview has been set, prepare beforehand by making sure you find a place where you have a very good signal reception and in a quiet place.
- Be ready at least 10 minutes before the interview, because being late doesn’t look good. If you’re late for your important interview, then it will be perceived as habitual.
- During the interview, speak to your interviewer with confidence. Remember recruiters are looking for those with a can-do attitude that can help their business grow. How you present yourself during the interview will give the first impression on how you will be as a member of the company.
- Be honest. We know that you want the job so you will be tempted to say what the recruiter wants to hear. But not being truthful about certain aspects of your resume will come out and will just turn out badly for you in the long term.
- Have fun. Yes this is an important interview but think of it as talking to an older friend. This will put you at ease and make the conversation flow freely. Rather than making it sound like an oral examination by your college chemistry professor.
- If at first you don’t succeed, try again. There are many reasons why you didn’t succeed. But sometimes it’s simply because the company is looking for something specific. If it didn’t work out with one company, try the other ones. Remember it took Thomas Edison 2000 times to finally invent the light bulb.
