Many of you have written short emails to us saying that you have
always tried to apply for jobs with no success. If this is the case, you may
easily end up blaming some other factors for this unfortunate situation but
come to think about it, maybe there is something you are not doing right. To
make a successful job application and get hired in a company, there
are several procedures to follow. To make the opportunity wide opened for
a preferred job, certain techniques have to be followed in order to lead you to
the satisfactory interview process.
Once your CV is perfect,
the application letter has to be superb. Just think about it, what does the
employer see first when she opens your email or letter? It is the cover letter.
You must write a cover letter, while applying for a job. The cover letter
must contain the main reasons why you decided to apply for the vacant position.
You must also state the reasons why the employer should select you amongst the
other applicants. The cover letter must correspond perfectly with the position
you are applying for. Try this by matching the job requirements with your
capabilities.
After submitting all the relevant information, if the employer
wants discuss more about yourself, you must collect the relevant data of
the company as much as possible. If you look at our earlier articles about
interviews, we stress on research of the employer. Many of the questions asked
in the interview may revolve around that and if you know nothing it may seem
that you do not have interest in the job. You may also get a chance to ask the
panel or interviewer a few questions. What will you ask? It is about the
company. Do your research well, believe me it will help you during the
interview.
Just take a step back and remember the articles we have done on
the colour of your dressing and the shoes to an interview. If you want to
remind yourself, click on the ‘older posts’ tab at the bottom of the page. Your
appearance at the interview session will determine your capability for the
job. The employers are often interested in smart candidates as the person is
considered to perform great work. Thus, the choosing the best outfit for your
appearance is very important.
Time, time, time. This is a very important aspect of the
interview. We recommend that you come 15 – 30 minutes earlier. This will help
you get rid of the tension and you may be sweaty if you arrive late. People say
that Africans don’t keep time but I believe in a case like this there is no
option. If you get a call and do not get the time correctly, it is allowed for
you to call back and verify the time. You must come in time so that
you can prepare for the whole interview process. By coming in time to the
interview, you will have enough time to relax and convince the employer that
you are willing to take up the job.
There is another article we did some time back about passion for
whatever you like doing. If you are applying for a job of your dreams and
manage to get an interview, then you need to ooze passion. Let the panel see
your heart by the way you pass your message across, your gestures (refer to the
article on gestures) and your expressions. You can freely speak with your
heart as it will make the interviewer convince that you mean it. You
should not be afraid as it will be one factor that fails you to make a good
impression. Hence, you have to stay confident while experiencing the whole
process.
Have you ever gotten to an interview and an interviewer asks
about a certificate you listed in your CV but on looking for it, you don’t find
it because you did not carry it or you look for it while uncomfortable silence
ensues in the room? You need to show a lot of orderliness. Portray that you are
organized and are ready to work. Pack your certificates in order in a good
looking file.
This will make an impression that you are tidy. For security
purposes, you need to make copies of your certificates. Have these copies
separately.
We hope you got the message. Follow this steps when applying for
a job and all shall be well.
