In my two months of job-hunting up to this moment, I’ve come into some experiences which I can say is quite
note-worthy. I may have already been outdated when it comes to some job-hunting skills
since I haven’t been pursuing this for the longest time in the past couple of years. I’ve not
really been aggressive when it comes to applying for other jobs during my last tenure
ship with the previous company. I’ve been wrong to think that I will retire into this
company and just felt self-assured up until the inevitable came and my role was
axed.
But I have to move forward from this phase and boost my self-confidence again in terms of looking for another job.
Here are some of my listed tips in job-hunting.
1. Resume that speaks. I have been working for
quite a time now and my last chronological resume is 3 pages long. I have trimmed-down
some role descriptions and it still remains to 3 pages. I just have this perception that if resumes are
this long, recruiters will get bored reading it. Too many information stuffed will just make it clutter. Best to trim-down the resume to two pages. It took me hours
to re-build my resume to 2 pages. Use word features but best to your own style and layout and avoid
the trap of using the templates. For me building your own style of resume reflects
your character and it will show. Avoid a boring and monotonous resume.
2. Highlight the skills. Recruiters use key words
to search for your skills and match to fit with the job requirements of the position you are applying to. I have
been a victim of the term: “jack of all trades, master of none” category but because mainly of the shift in roles that I’ve had with the last company.
When you highlight the skills, best to list down your functional skills
and boost it up with soft-skills. Better as well to be honest with your skill-sets. Avoid indicating skills which you do not really have but put in there so as to match the skill requirements of the role. This is already a trap in itself.
3. Know your goals. Based on my listed skills, I
was able to determine where my strengths are. Trust that the recruiters know where your strengths are as well. Then align your goals with your strengths.
Sometimes, your goals will determine where you wish to position yourself should
you join this company. If you apply for a position, make sure to review the company, job requirements, and management. Sometimes it helps if you know someone already affiliated with the company. If you do not know anybody, use glassdoor for reviews.
4. Humility. I have to admit that there was a
feeling in me I’ve felt when numerous recruiters are calling up on you for a
phone interview, there’s just a feeling of being self-confident but turned-out
almost all just got me up to the phone interview phase and never again received a feedback. Talk nicely and politely with the recruiter but also contain to yourself any hints of desperation to get the job. It is also OK to politely ask your application status if at least you've reached the last stages already. Never follow-up if you're still in the initial stages. Give them time to assess your skills and fit first.
5. Higher roles. Remember that the higher the role being applied to, the harder it is to get it. Not unless you are being backed-up
by someone with a position in that company. Be prepared to be offered as well a
lower role if they deem that your skills matches some of the other positions they may have.
6. Timeline. Set yourself a timeline. Do not be laid
back in job-hunting. The longer time you are unemployed, the greater the
impression of you being lazy. Not unless of course, you do something on the
sidelines like doing freelance work, or doing some business, or even attending
classes to further boost skills, while on the lookout for a job.
7. Interviews. Be prepared for some un-expected
interview questions. First base F2F interviews usually just validates what are
written in your resume, but as you go to the next level, expect that there are
some questions to assess your skills which are outside of the resume. Do not
also appear desperate. Stay calm and focused. Listen and Speak only when asked and stick to answer the questions directly.
8. Exams. There are companies who give exams to potential
hires. Yes! even for experienced employees. Some may just be the normal and structured exams, while others are specific to the role being applied for. Better to be prepared. There are some online trial exams in the
internet. Use google and practice so that you can gauge how well you do.
9. Groom. Tidy yourself up for interviews. Dress
appropriately but not too loud. First impressions really last. Always think that Handsome and Pretty applicants will already have an edge based on looks alone. It may sound shallow but grooming yourself speaks a lot even if you have not proceeded with the interview process yet.
10. Acceptance. There are jobs that you think you
can do but you were flat-out rejected for the role. There maybe some factors why you did not get it, and not necessarily because you lack the skill-sets. Sometimes you tend to
question what went wrong when you did your best during interviews and all. But
you have to learn to face rejection as well because not all applications turn out to be in your
favor. Be positive and learn from the experience. Rejection is a humbling experience. Don't dwell too much and move-on.
11.
Have Faith. Divine intervention is always
powerful. Seek his guidance to land you in the right company and the right job.
If it’s God’s will that you were offered the job, it means you are in the right company. Divine intervention really works. The Holy Spirit will do its miracles for your. Just learn to trust in him.
Up to now, I am still looking for a job and
just feeling positive that the company who will take me is just around the corner. Job-hunting
is truly challenging, unexpectable, and draining. You'll have jitters. You have to face the reality of having many competitors for the position you're applying for, and it's either you or them who'll get it. But just
enjoy it and take each application as a learning experience and pretty soon you and I will land the right-job and the right company.
The best of Luck to us!
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