Applying for jobs is never easy. Whether you're a lawyer in Ontario applying to new firms or a college student in San Diego applying for your first post-college job you still have to go through the process. You know what that process is. Type up a resume with cover sheet, ask people to be your reference, browse the classifieds searching for jobs that you think you're qualified for, send in your resume, fill out applications and go in for interviews. From the moment you finish typing up your resume and proof-reading it to make sure you spelled force gauge correctly to the end of your interview is one time consuming process. Like we said earlier, finding a job isn't easy.
If you find yourself going in for plenty of job interviews but never getting called back for a second interview or not getting any job offers there are things you can do to change that. First off, get yourself a new wardrobe for your interviews. Dress spiffy. Don't overdo it but don't go in looking like you're ready for a stroll on the beach. Dress to impress. If you feel that you come away from interviews having nailed them or that you made a good impression because you bonded with the interviewer over your mutual love of used woodworking equipment, maybe it's not you. It could be that the interviewer loved you but wasn't won over by your resume. In that case it's time to improve your resume.
Not getting a call back for an interview could be because your resume is just lacking. If you don't have much job experience that's not something you can change. To get experience you need to be get hired but to get hired you need experience. It's the old catch-22. However, you can look over your resume and make it more professional looking or highlight your skills. We want to make sure our resume help gets you get a call back for that instant water heater installation job you applied for. So take out your resume and give it a once over. Then re-read it again. See what areas you can improve. Does it show the real you? When you read it does it make the person want to call you back for an interview or a call back interview? If not, add some personality to it. Don't be afraid to use jazzy language that makes the words pop off the page.
People in charge of hiring read a lot of resumes and cover letters. If their attention isn't grabbed at the start they won't be bowled over. So get them from the beginning. Make your skills seem genuinely unique and one of a kind. Offer them something no one else can. You have to make sure you stand out from the pack if you want to get that job. Maybe you volunteered at the circus when you were a kid. Or know how to do something special with lead weights. Volunteer work and skills are just as important as job experience. Training is always available if a company thinks you're the right person for the job. So don't be afraid to be creative with your resume. Good luck! |