How to make your Job Application count???

[Badshah Mamun]

How to make your Job Application count???

The key is to make sure your application counts but the art of being noticed and remembered is challenging as the employment market is getting ruthless. The process of finding work is all about a chain of first impressions. From the resume submittal to the fourth and final interview, you are always meeting someone for the first time and you need to make sure you are the one leaving a lasting impression.

You could say that looking for work is a job in itself. Like in any business you need to have a strategy and you need to make sure that every action you take moves you forward towards your goal of a job offer. Each stage in the process must be a positive step towards finding the right career path for you.
The first step would be to make sure your resume is completely up-to-date, is truthful but also makes you sound as interesting as possible. If you are planning to include a photo, make sure it is representative of you in the work place and not a holiday snap shot. Think about the format of the resume and ensure it is easy to read with the important information is clearly visible.

You have reached step two once you are ready to apply to Timesjobs.com website or to the recruitment consultancy firm. Again you need to have a clear strategy. This should not be to apply randomly to all positions regardless of the skill set you possess. You need to make sure your resume is relevant to the advertised job. In some cases you may have several resumes depending on the type of role. It can be interpreted as a weakness if you are applying for roles that do not match your qualifications. Recruiters need to know that you are the right person for the job and the only way they know that is by looking at your experience. Also you only need to apply once. Your resume application will be seen. To apply 10 times to the same position could indicate insecurity. Treat your resume like money and spend it wisely.

The day then arrives when a recruiter calls you to arrange an appointment with the interviewer. It is critical to find out whom you are meeting, approximately how long it will take, re-confirm the start time and know the exact location. It is then your responsibility to be punctual and not be rushed. People who do not turn up will not be given a second a chance. You need to prove to the recruiter that you are a reliable candidate. You need to demonstrate all aspects of your personality and how you would be a great asset for any company.

It is also critical to make sure you have researched the company and that you have a clear idea of what they do. Do not be afraid to ask questions. On the contrary the clients look favorably upon well thought out questions. It is also advisable to ask at the end of the interview, whether they have any reservations about the application. If there is any misinterpretation, this can be instantly resolved.

They key is to think. Will this action make a difference? Will it have a positive impact? Will it help me towards my goal of finding the perfect position? How much do you want that position and how far are you prepared to go to secure your career growth?

Source: http://www.timesjobs.com/candidate/careerresources/htmls/jobapplication.jsp