How To Get The Job By Telling Me About Yourself

It seems that there is much that can be done by really determined job-hunters to improve their chances of finding a job. 

True, whilst there are insufficient jobs to go around, there will always be a 'dole-queue', but nevertheless on so many occasions I have found myself or colleagues saying, "so-and-so was very close to getting this job. 

 If only......" But being close is as good as being a million miles away when there is only one job on offer.

In my experience and Opinion a lot of these 'near misses' could so easily have made the grade, had they tried just a little bit more.

Getting a job nowadays is not as easy as it used to be. Employers now have the pick of so many people, and recruitment can be likened to the process of choosing the very best piece of wheat with which to start one's harvest. 

In fact considering the number of applications received, the personnel or Human Resource team officers sort out the 'wheat from the chaff'.

When he, she or they interview, the matter then becomes one of selecting the best piece of wheat from that which has survived the first sorting out as even here many are left behind.

The moral then is easy!  If you don't get past the first stage, you will remain a piece of chaff.  

But so much can be done to prevent this from becoming a regular occurrence as you may have experienced this many times. Successful job-hunting is now a skilled occupation in itself. 

YOU CANNOT JUST RELY ON LUCK!

Naturally the first step is to decide on the job you want. But where do you look?  Remember that you should really consider only those jobs which you are qualified to do and those you are likely to be happy in.

 Don't apply to become a student teacher if you don't like children.  You will probably hate the job, and you'll only deprive someone else of a much-coveted college place.

Careers officers, careers teachers and job centers are excellent sources of advice and inspiration, even if you

haven’t the slightest ideas of what you want to do.

The Internet, Television, Radio and Newspapers are an ideal medium for job vacancies, but if you have a definite career in mind, you would be well-advised to read careers books or Search for more Details online.

 But the purpose of this write up is not to actually advise you as to the type of job to apply for but to Rather to guide you in the technique of applying for the job.

YOUR APPLICATION

 It is at this stage that most people tend to slip up. Reading some applications can, unfortunately, be a source of great amusement, but they won't get the applicants an interview.  

 In completing an application form online or writing a letter of application, you must be prepared to give it

a great deal of thought.  You must THINK before you prepare and complete your application and Forms.

If you are completing an application form or writing an application, it is a good idea to

write down your responses onto a separate piece of paper or save a copy  on your computer, before committing them to the form.

If a letter of application is required, make a rough draft before you prepare your final letter.  Then, if time allows, put your ideas and rough notes to one side for a day or so.

When you look at them again the following day or after some time, this refreshed approach often serves to highlight any errors or omissions. 

In completing your letter or form, you must THINK. What sort of person/qualifications/experience are they

wanting? What do I have to offer? (AND let them know about it) 

What does this question mean, and how do I answer it? What special qualities do I have to offer? Why do I want this job? Don't answer the questions 'Any old how', just because you're in a hurry to go out! 

 If that's how much you think about applying for the job, you don't really want it, and you CERTAINLY Don't deserve to get it.

Some examples of how NOT to respond to questions on a form will serve to highlight the kind of silly mistakes some applicants make.

I cannot overstress the importance of a carefully planned application.  Remember, it is usually the first contact that the personnel officer or Human resource Team is likely to have with you. 

If he, she or they doesn't consider you as potentially suitable at this stage, You most likely won't get the interview.

Your application must be neat and tidy, and pleasant to read.  

Always check your application before you send it - you'd be surprised at the number of applicants who forget to include their addresses, although many are done online now using email addresses.

If you are asked to make a written application, this can often be tougher than completing an application form. What do they want to know?  Where did you see the advertisement? Which job is it? 

So we have a starter with this brief:

Dear Sir/Ma or Dear Advertiser, Then your Title stating the position you are applying for, such as APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.
(if not written in capital letters, make sure it is underlined)

Then you can start by saying: I wish to apply for the position of Administrative Assistant as advertised in the 'Everyday News'.

But that's not all!  You must now tell your potential employer everything he may want to know about you.  How old are you?  What are your qualifications and hobbies? Have you worked anywhere before?  Why do you want the job?

Always draw attention to anything unusual or special that you have done, since this will be likely to stand out in the reader's mind and lead him to want to know more about you.

Always write clearly and concisely.  It is often more difficult to read a letter than an application form since the latter is designed to aid clarity and speed.

 You may put all of your particulars into letter form, but personally I would prefer to receive a cover letter with a curriculum vitae. 

This rather awesome sounding item is a written account of your personal details set out in an organized manner, and is therefore much easier to read than a long and detailed letter.  

Your application must look and sound good, or else your interest in the job will be doubted. 

You must always be absolutely honest when making your application. 

 Since questions at interview are often based upon what you have put in your application, it would be disastrous if an 'untruth' were to be discovered at interview.  

 So don't say you enjoy the works of Shakespeare if you think 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is something to do with altering the clocks in Autumn.

Have a nice day.