Are you craving a change in your career? Whether you’re tired of your current industry, or you’re looking to progress in the one you’re currently in – you need to be prepared to enter the world of job applications. There’s a lot more to finding a new job than sending a CV to a company. There’s plenty you can do to make sure you stand out from your competition.
Tailor It
One of the biggest mistakes is having a “one size fits all” approach with your cover letter and CV. You need to ensure you’re tailoring your application to fit the job. Fill your CV with specific experience which shows you’ve clearly been thinking about the role. For instance, are you looking for HR contract jobs? Make sure your experience demonstrates that field specifically – rather than try to tick boxes for all possible career paths. Signpost in the cover letter why you want to work for this particular company. It shows you’ve done your research and you’re passionate about the position.
Interesting Details
Lots of CV’s are going to have very similar content on them. If you’re looking for a way to make yours stand out from the crowd, you’ll want to include some interesting details. You can make your personal interests work for you. The people hiring want to know what you’re passionate about and what drives you forward. Whether it’s a blog, a night class, or a travel experience – don’t be afraid to include the details that can spark interest in you.
Avoid the Basics
Once you’ve updated your CV with all the relevant, interesting, content, it’s time to take a look at the information you’ve potentially had on there for years. There are eight things you can remove from your CV right away. These include your date of birth, how many children you have, and ‘references available on request.’ They are all things that are fairly self-explanatory, or shouldn’t impact your chances on getting the job. You want to save the room to sell yourself the best you can, rather than waste space telling your potential employee your age.
Develop Online Presence
Developing an online presence can come in various forms. One is putting yourself out there on social media and networking with those in the industry you’re interested in. You want to be a recognisable name. Getting involved in these interactions show you’re passionate and ready to engage. You could also develop an online portfolio to demonstrate your skills. This can really set you up apart during the application progress.
Job hunting takes time and effort. If you’re not willing to put the work in to apply, chances are the role isn’t right for you in the first place. Do you have any tips for job applications?