Looking for a job can be a tricky process, this we know. From navigating the minefield of the perfect cover letter to nailing the interview process, we know sometimes it can feel like there's no method to the madness. But guess what? There actually is.
Sure individual employers may look for a different set of skills or personality traits than the next, but here are a few tips that will help you no matter what the job, industry or level.
1. Have a professional email address. We cannot stress this enough! You might not think your cute email address lazypants_84 will even be noticed by a potential employer. Think again. Your email address is the first insight an employer gets into your personality, don't kill your chances of an interview with a silly email address.
2. Tweak your CV to suit the role. In this day in age, it isn't uncommon for folks to switch jobs every few years. This can end up making your CV read like a novel if you let it. Weed out the roles or educational experience that doesn't fit with the role. For example, that part time role you had through highschool is probably not relevant to an employer interviewing you for a senior management position at a bank. For more tips on CV writing check out our Resources page.
3. Make sure your cover letter states which role you're applying for. Too many times we've seen a cover letter or application cover page come through with a totally different position to the one you're actually applying for. We know it can be a long process, but don't get lazy here.
4. Make sure your Facebook photo is decent. More and more employers are looking to social media to give them an insight into the types of candidates that are applying to work for them. If you know you're applying for a job, think about the kinds of photos that potential employers may see.
5. Follow up. Especially here in the Cooks we have a tendency to let things take their time, but the recruitment process shouldn't be that way. If you haven't heard back from an employer, give them a call or email and ask when they think a decision may be made. If their contact isn't available, email us and we'll pass on your enquiry. This shows you're keen and proactive and may just land you an interview!
If you'd like advice on your jobsearch or more information on CVs, interviews and cover letters, please email us at jobs@cookislandsjobs.com for more info.