With the labour force in Ghana growing at an exponential rate, many candidates wonder how to stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs. While it can seem like an overwhelming task, using the right techniques can help you showcase your skills, experience, compatibility with the company’s culture and increase your chances of landing that dream job.
Here are a few tips on how to get noticed by recruiters or potential employers.
- Present a well written and customized CV
- Make sure your Professional Social Media Profile is up-to-date
- Prepare for the interview
- Do your Research and ask questions
These will differentiate you from the crowd and show that you are focused, intentional and determined.
Present a well-written and customized CV
Your CV is the first impression you give a recruiter or a potential employer. It is therefore necessary that it accurately reflects you and your professional background. It should be well written, organized, and easy to read and understand. Ensure that your CV (and all other application documents) is free of grammatical and typographical errors. It is usually a turn-off for recruiters to receive application documents that are riddled with grammatical errors as it communicates a lack of seriousness. You should proofread all documents more than once before you send them to the potential employer or recruiter.
The CV should also be tailored to the specific job you are applying for. If you possess any of the required skills/qualifications listed on the job advert, ensure they are on your CV. Statistics show that as much as 54% of CVs are rejected because they are not customized to the job. Depending on the role you are applying for, it is best to highlight the relevant skills and experiences. Concentrate on your achievements and responsibilities as this shows what impact you had while in that role. Be sure to include non-professional experience only if they demonstrate skills that will be useful for the job you are applying for.
Make sure your Professional Social Media profile is up-to-date
Professional Social media channels such as LinkedIn are a good source of information. About 87% of recruiters say they use LinkedIn to check out candidates (Jobvite Recruiter Nation Report). This is because it paints a more holistic picture of an individual, at least from a professional standpoint. The times we find ourselves in have made it imperative to stay present in the virtual space. As a professional, it is necessary for your LinkedIn profile to be up to date with all the roles you have occupied and your educational background. If you feel comfortable, you can add your CV and email address to your profile.
Prepare for the Interview
If you are given an opportunity to interview for a role, remember there is a reason why you were selected. To be successful at this stage, preparation is key. Carefully review the job description so you know what the role entails when you show up for the interview. The responsibilities and person specifications on the job description will usually give some indication of the nature of the questions you may be asked which can guide your preparation. You should also research common questions asked in interviews for the role you are applying for and prepare some answers.
During the interview, it is important to listen to the questions asked carefully so you can provide an appropriate answer. Be sure to ask for the questions to be repeated if you didn’t hear or ask for clarification should the need arise. Often, applicants answer questions incorrectly simply because they do not actually understand what is being asked. On the day of the interview, arrive early, dress professionally, be confident and ask relevant questions.
Do your research and ask questions
Whenever you have the opportunity to interact with a recruiter or potential employer, it would be beneficial to come off as knowledgeable of the company, field and/or industry. Make time to learn as much as you can about the organization, especially before going into an interview. Should questions arise in your research, make a note of them and ask them at the appropriate time. Potential employers are usually impressed by applicants who ask insightful questions because it shows determination as well as an understanding of the role or the organization. It is also beneficial to be aware of and keep up with developments within your field of work.
Ensure that you have researched into the company adequately and are well informed about their business and the various factors that affect them. Depending on the role they are hiring into, think of what you bring to the table that can contribute to the growth of the company.
The job market is highly competitive. If you want to land that dream job or move up in the career ladder, put in the work and prepare appropriately. That way, you’ll stand out from the crowd.
Nii Kpakpo Adoteye Anum
Senior Business Analyst
Zormelo & Associates
