Getting a job is a job in itself.

It is becoming increasingly clear that a willingness to work isn’t enough to secure employment. Whether you are fresh out of school, hot out of university, or seeking a change in an already established career, the working world can come across a little hostile.
But don’t worry, it’ll warm to you eventually. Here’s a 3 point checklist to help you hit it off:

Understand Your Position

This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many interviews I’ve given in which the candidate isn’t entirely sure what the job they are applying for actually entails. Or what it’s called, for that matter. Do your research: you need to know what you’ll be
doing, why you’ll be doing it, and how you can do it well.

What; Why; How. If you’ve explored and answered these 3 avenues, then you’ve put yourself in a good position to smash the interview and let your enthusiasm really shine through. This brings me to my next point …

Be Confident

Yes, you’ve probably heard this before. The mantra to ‘Be Confident’ is drilled into us from a very young age, in all different disciplines. ‘Confidence is key’, everybody says, but no one ever seems to tell you how. But I will:

The most important place to find your gusto is in the interview. The employer needs to be able to imagine working with you, and they need to like that vision. You aren’t just a pair of hands, or a brain, you are a person – show them that. Engage in dialogue, maintain
eye contact, let your personality filter through. There should be a certain kind of chemistry in an interview. If you strike the right balance between personal and professional, you are head and shoulders above the rest.

Be Your Own Brand

Once you’ve found your confidence, you can start to shape it. When applying for a job, or doing an interview, you should know exactly who you are and what you have to offer. This is your personal brand. Your CV should market you appropriately.

Avoid clichéd language – on your CV, your LinkedIn profile, or any other platform. Everybody wants to ‘change the world’ and ‘make a difference’. These are empty statements, however true you might feel them to be. The terms in which you describe yourself should
make you stand out. LinkedIn releases yearly buzzwords, check the list and make sure you aren’t just another ‘team player’.

At the end of the day, employers are looking for someone that they think could walk in and make a difference now. If you show them drive, intelligence, and confidence, you’re in with a pretty good shot. You aren’t going to be right for every job, but when your opportunity comes, be ready to seize it.

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