Job application due today? Interview in ten? You’ve come to the right place. We don’t have time to beat around the bush, we’re too busy girlbossing. So, here are some quick tips to keep you looking, feeling, and acting like the success story you are.
- Tailor your application documents
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If you’ve ever submitted a resume before, chances are it has gone through an applicant tracking system(ATS). Check out my article De-mystifying the Applicant Tracking System to learn about how these work and what you can do to bypass them. Spoiler: embed direct keywords and phrases from the job description!
- Take personal notes pre-interview
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Has your mind ever gone blank after being asked a question in an interview? Do you have nightmares about the statement “tell me about yourself”? The solution to this is staring you in the face: prepare! Put together a list of concrete examples of your accomplishments from work, school, life, etc. that you can pull from. You never know when you’ll need to remind yourself of these. It also helps to practice out loud with a friend or family member; sometimes our brain forgets to communicate with our mouth.
- Research the company
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Why do you want to work for that specific company? Even if this question isn’t directly asked in the interview, the answer should be present in your resume, cover letter, and interview answers. Look through their website, find some recent projects, check out their mission statement… make sure you actually DO want to work for them. This knowledge and excitement will reflect in your presentation.
- Learn how to properly format a cover letter
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From business letter format to a correctly ordered letterhead, your presentation should represent the professional you are. To learn more about cover letters, take a peek at my piece How To Make a Cover Letter an Asset, Not a Chore. Hint: address yours directly to the Hiring Manager (you can look through their website, LinkedIn, and Google for this information).
- Optimize your LinkedIn
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LinkedIn isn’t only an emerging social media and recruitment tool, it’s also an opportunity for self-branding. You have full control over your presentation on this platform, so take advantage of it. Add the URL in your resume header and treat your LinkedIn profile like a master resume! This gives you some extra space and allows recruiters to find you. Win win!
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, you’re ready. You’ve got the skills, it’s just about translating them to the employer. And, the more practice you have, the easier it gets. Good luck! (Not that you need it.)