Everyone knows that feeling.
When a job opportunity comes up and it is perfect for you.
It is everything you want, and you are pretty sure you have the skills for it, and have the motivation.
So how can you get it?
Firstly, accept you can do nothing about the competition. That will be what is will be, you just need to be this best version of yourself.
Secondly, you need to prepare to work hard. Success favours the brave, and employers recongnise those who go above and beyond to impress.
Top Tips
Research
Do more than just read the website. Anyone can do that, and in todays economy, I would argue that is the equivalent of doing the bare minimum.
Read the website, scroll through press releases, look at competitors, review the LinkedIn pages of the senior staff in the business. Understand the market place, and crucially, design some incredible questions of the back of your research.
For example,
I see your competitor x, recently acquired y – how will that impact your business?
How much better is that as a question than, “what are your working hours?”
Dress
After twenty years in recruitment, I am still amazed that I have to cover dress code with prospective applicants. Because unless told otherwise, go formal, full suit, clean nails, polished shoes. One of my lasting memories in recruitment is of a client who wouldn’t hire a candidate because although he was good – he wore a tie with dancing condoms on it.
He wanted to be remembered – he has been – for all the wrong reasons.
Make notes
Interviews are in some way a test, but you are given most of the answers beforehand. Before turning up, have examples of how you meet the brief, write them down so you can refer to them. This isn’t cheating – it is common sense!
Plus the very art of writing in down will cement it in your memory.
Be ready for the usual questions…
why do you want to work for us?
Be intelligent – think of a reason based on research, make your answer better than everyone elses. If you have done the prep above – this should be easier!
For example…
I have watched some of your videos on Instagram from your staff, and the environment is portrayed as one that continuously evolves the people in the organisation. I want to be part of a business that rewards hard work with development. For that reason I am very excited about the prospect of working here.
Say thank you
This should be ingrained in you.
After the interview – say thank you in the form of a letter, email, linkedin message. Don’t rely on your recruiter to do it for you. If you want the job, tell them!
A simple, short message, thanking them for their time and reiterating your interest is enough. It is simply a final way to leave a lasting, great impression!