1. Think About How You Present Yourself
Companies want to hire people who are enthusiastic, capable, and hard-working. You might be all of this and more, but if you appear unprofessional, it can be tough to get hiring teams interested in you.
Professional resume writers know that every little detail counts when applying for a new job. For instance, think about your email address and even your voicemail message. Is your email something like funnybear@hotmail.com or cupcake19@yahoo.com? A silly email address might not make or break your chances, but it hardly looks professional. Email addresses are free, so create a professional email address such as ldavis@gmail.com specifically for dealing with business-related issues and put that one on your resume.
Likewise, if you have a super cute voicemail message on your cell phone, it’s time to update your message to a concise professional message. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to present yourself seriously. Take stock of your personal image, as well, and make sure that the outfits you wear to job interviews are clean, pressed, fit well and look great. Not only will this be highly acceptable to potential employers, but you will also gain confidence because you know that you look great.
2. Social Media Counts
Employers often do look at sites such as Facebook during the hiring process. We find that keeping all of your social media accounts as private as possible is always best. This looks as though you value privacy and discretion, which is a plus for employers. If your accounts are public, consider what you say every time you post a picture, a statement, a comment, or a meme. Your professional resume writers can create a fantastic resume, you might look fantastic and interview well, but if your social media is filled with obscenities, controversial statements, or constant complaints about work, this isn’t exactly inspiring for a potential boss. Again, it might not make or break your chances, but presenting yourself as a serious, professional person is always going to make a good impression.
3. Invest In Relationships
There’s a saying that one should never burn bridges, and this is inherently wise advice. Professional resume writers understand the importance of relationships. The better relationships you have with your current and former bosses and co-workers, the better your chances will be when you seek a new position. This is simply because people that are good at maintaining positive relationships with others tend to be more successful. Being able to communicate with others and truly listen to others is one of the most valuable skills a person can possess.
When you are in your 20s and just starting out hunting for jobs, you probably don’t have a ton of contacts in the business world. It might seem like building up these business contacts is a daunting task, but there are a few options to consider. For instance, think about friends, family, and your current colleagues. These are valuable relationships, and you never know where they might lead. For instance, maybe a college friend has an uncle who works in your field. Even if he isn’t hiring or responsible for hiring, he might be a good person to provide input and advice. He also might know of job opportunities for you to consider. Joining local business groups and joining online communities such as LinkedIn, also can be a great way to pick up new contacts and just learn more about your field of expertise in general and even open the door to new and exciting possibilities.
4. Choose A Job That Really Suits You
Earlier, we discussed the importance of professionalism. You need to look and act professional, but this doesn’t mean that you need to squash every aspect of your personality in order to obtain a job. In fact, your personality can be a huge asset. If you love people and have little fear of meeting new people, there are plenty of jobs that can be great for your personality. Sales jobs, customer service, human resources positions and management positions can be fantastic options for people who have no social anxiety and enjoy working with others.
For those who prefer less personal contact, there are plenty of positions to suit that type of personality as well. Keep in mind, that while there’s certainly no sin in being an introvert, employers do want workers that are polite and get along well with others. They also want people to be confident, decisive, and assertive. Introverts absolutely can be all of these things and more.
Our experience as professional resume writers also leads us to another point. Don’t apply for a job if you don’t have the necessary qualifications. There will always be a bit of training necessary with most jobs, but if you truly don’t have the skills, don’t try to fake it. If you know that a specific job requires familiarity with a certain type of software, for instance, be sure you are well trained with that software. This lessens your anxiety during interviews and also makes transitioning into a new job far easier.
5. Present A Great Resume
Obviously, as professional resume writers, we understand the importance of a well-written resume. You want a resume that not only provides all of your key information but a resume that stands out from the rest. A resume is the first impression that a hiring team will use to judge your qualifications.
This is one great reason to hire professional resume writers. Their goal is to design and create a resume that highlights your strengths and qualifications for a particular job. Professionally written resumes will help a potential employer understand how you can fit into their operation and what you can provide. Employers are interested in how you can help them improve their company, and a great resume showcases your abilities and qualifications.
