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How to Stand out From the Crowd

Although we are told to never judge a book by its cover, this isn’t always the case when job searching and more often than not your first appearance will be what the employer’s decision is based on. To avoid this impacting your chances of being hired it is best to take all necessary steps of preparation, including updating your resume, practising interview questions and making an effort to present yourself neatly. Currently we live in a society that substantially evolves around technology, so you need to be prepared for potential employees to see everything you put online. It is common for businesses to screen possible candidates’ online profiles to ensure they are safeguarding their company’s integrity. Before applying for job openings check out your social media. Employers will be looking for candidates who keep their social media accounts clean, free from profanity, drug use or excessive alcohol use, disrespectful comments or inappropriate links.


Fix up your employment history. Are there some gaps in your employment? Although it is essential that you do not lie or piece together fake work history you can limit how noticeable the unemployment gaps are. Start by taking off the months and just using years as reference dates. Remember that all work experience, even if it wasn’t paid looks great on your resume so be sure to include all volunteer work, time taken as a personal carer or time spent studying.


Being prepared can be the make or break in the job seeking process so it can help to ask a friend or family member to check over your resume or practise some interview questions with you. Remember, there are a lot of people out there applying for jobs so always try to have an open mind and positive attitude.

Resume and Cover Letter Tips and Tricks

Cover Letter

The goal is to create a cover letter that is dynamic and specific, a short snippet that highlights the reasons why you are the most appropriate candidate for the job. Read the job description, it sounds simple, but you would be surprised how many people do not even know what they are applying for. By specifically targeting your cover letter to a company, recognising the desired capabilities that an employer is looking for and listing your qualities and skills which are more important to the organisation will give you a greater chance of being short listed.

Remember to Include:


  • Your Contact Details
  • An appropriate greeting and contact person
  • A reason for writing
  • How you qualify for the job
  • Appreciation for being considered
  • A professional close
  • Your Signature


Resume
When writing your resume it is important to remember that employers will be hiring you based on the skills you say you have, therefore make sure you are including skills and experience that you are actually capable of achieving.

Remember to Include:


  • Provide your contact details at the top of your resume, this includes your full name, a phone number and email address.
  • Start off the document with a professional summary. Briefly describe your experience, highlighting the value you bring to the company. Try to avoid writing a personal journal entry and keep the information direct and to the point, this section is about what you can offer to the company, not where you travelled to on your last holiday.
  • Following this will be a summary of your skills. It can be beneficial to use keywords from the job description that describes the skills and knowledge you have that is most relevant for this particular job. Then list your key career achievements, this will be certificates, awards or degrees that demonstrate you can successfully add value to an organisation.
  • Your work experience should then be listed in reverse order, beginning with the most recent. If you took time to travel or study, make sure you include that to limit any gaps in employment. Include Employer Names, Positions, and Primary Responsibilities.
  • Keep the education & qualifications section brief by listing the qualification obtained, year of completion, the institution’s name and a one-sentence summary.
  • Conclude the document with you references. Best to include two former employees and one personal reference. Include their personal details, the organisation and the position they held.


Finally, do not forget to proofread your document, ensuring there are no spelling or grammar issues and get someone such as a friend or family member to check it over. Taking the time to get it right may be the modification required to land you a job interview.

What To Do After You Are Shortlisted?

Interview Techniques

Going for a job interview can be stressful. You could have years of experience but yet it comes down to the impression that you make in a short 15-45min interview window with a potential employer. One of the key things to remember is that you are not alone, everyone that has a job has been through this process, including the person interviewing you so try to be confident. Always answer honestly, if you do get selected for the role the company will expect to see the skills and experience that you shared in the application process. If you made up experience or bended the truth regarding your skills you may find yourself in hot water when the business begins to assign you with tasks and assess your performance.


Interview Question Preparation

Answer all questions direct and to the point, try to not go off on a long-winded story but rather get your point across in a logical and specific manner.

  • Why did you leave your previous employment?

    The best way to answer this question is always truthfully. If you did leave your previous workplace in a negative manner try to focus on the positive aspects by highlighting what you learnt in the role or how it helped you grow from the experience.  Limiting any conversation about your past workplace is ideal, rather aiming to shift the conversation to your current position, like you saw the ad and felt inspired to apply or see a benefit in constantly learning and growing in your employment. 


  • What is your biggest weakness?

    Often one of the more difficult questions to answer try to stay away from generic answers such as ‘I work too hard’ or ‘I care too much’. Being generic answers, it will be likely the employer has heard them before. It is better to show a realistic view of you competencies and ability to assess your own performance which will help you stand out as an applicant.

  • Tell me about yourself?

    Avoid reciting your resume. If you are at the interview the employer would of already seen your resume, meaning they probably already read it. When asked about yourself take it a step further and provide information about who you are and what you have to offer to that specific company, it is essentially a personal marketing opportunity. Focus on what makes you unique, give a brief attention-grabbing statement about yourself including your goals and the value of your strengths.


  • Do you have any questions?

    When asked if you have any questions never reply ‘no’, having at least one question will be beneficial for your character review. Some great topics to ask questions about include performance goals, expectations and leadership styles.

What to Do After the Interview


Always follow up after an interview. A follow up thank you letter after any communication or meeting with a potential employer is essential to position you as an ideal candidate. Most people don’t bother doing this. Whether this is via email or printed and dropped into the office this will show the interviewer that you are willing to put in extra effort and have appreciation for the time they have taken to see you. Showing initiative can set you apart from the rest.

How to Keep Your Dream Job

Starting a new job is often an uncertain experience. New people, new tasks, new things to adjust to, this can all be hard to manage when you are also trying to make a good impression. Use the first month to try and absorb as knowledge of your surroundings as possible, who the key partners are, and what the work culture is.


Learn and Absorb as Much Information as Possible


Get to know and understand the customers. Customers are the most essential element of a business so by interacting with them in a positive manner shows management effort and dedication to the company. Fully understand the expectations from you in the role. Ask your manager what they expect from you. Understanding what your manager expects, the company goals and how performance is measured will mean you do a better job and remain a beneficial employee to the company.


Make Connections and Build Relationships with Other Employees


Making connections with other employees will help make workdays more enjoyable and creates avenues for assistance. Try to limit any negative talk of past jobs, workplaces or employers, be positive and passionate about your chosen industry/ position and encourage others to explain their roles within the company. This will help people feel more comfortable around you.

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