Jori Hamilton 4m 898 #gettingajob
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
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Trying to find a job can be overwhelming. There have probably been several times when you applied for a job that sounded perfect, had all of the right qualifications and experience, but you still didn’t get hired.
Sometimes, this occurs simply because the job market is so competitive. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are currently looking for jobs, and they might be looking at the same ones as you.
Other times, however, you might not get the job you want because of a mistake on your part. Employers want to make sure they’re hiring the right person for the job. The hiring process can cost a company anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. So one mistake in your application process can make a big difference.
So what are you doing that could be preventing you from getting a job? Let’s look at some common issues.
1. Your Resume
If your resume is outdated, cluttered, or doesn’t reflect who you are and what you can bring to a company, it will likely get overlooked. Because employers tend to get so many resumes for one job, they spend an average of six seconds looking at each one. If you want your resume to stand out:
Don’t get so creative it’s hard to read
Put your skills right at the top
Make it one page or as short as possible
Work with a resume writer or professional
Taking the extra time to make sure you have a perfect resume will at least help to ensure that it gets looked over for longer than a few seconds, which can bring you one step closer to getting the job you want.
2. Your Credit Score
Out of all the things that might prevent you from getting a job, you probably didn’t think your credit score would be a factor. Unfortunately, it can be. A CareerBuilder survey found that 72% of employers do background checks on the people they’re considering for different positions.
While an employer isn’t likely to focus on your credit score, they may be able to access it through a background check. A credit score is a measurement of your financial health. So, if you have a poor financial history, the employer might connect it to other areas of irresponsibility or untrustworthiness. If possible, try to boost your credit score and pay off any outstanding debts before applying for jobs. Or, if the employer asks to run a background check, use the opportunity to explain your financial situation.
3. Your Internet Presence
If you’re struggling to find a job because of COVID-19, having a strong and positive online presence is more important than ever. Things like virtual networking and video interviews have become very common for job seekers.
Additionally, this is a good time to look over any red flags that could be found about you online, mostly through your social media platforms. Things like social media marketing are important to most companies, but they’ll use social media in other ways, too, especially when it comes to learning more about potential employees. Though it’s okay to be yourself on your social media accounts, try to avoid posting or sharing anything that would be a “turn off” to a potential employer, including pictures of excessive alcohol use, foul language, risque clothing, or dangerous behaviors.
4. The Wrong First Impression
Just because your resume has gotten an employer’s attention doesn’t mean you’re a shoo-in for the job you want. If you are called in for an interview, it’s your big chance to make an in-person first impression.
So what can you do to make sure your interview leads to you becoming the one person from those 4-6 to get the job? Keep some of the following tips in mind:
Research the company ahead of time.
Practice answers to interview questions common to the position.
Make sure you understand the job description.
Prepare questions for your interviewer(s).
Limit distractions during the interview. Make sure your phone is silenced and find a quiet place to talk if it’s a virtual interview.
It’s also a good idea to ask about the company culture to make sure it’s a good fit for you. For example, if you consider yourself an introvert, you will likely thrive more in a company that lets you work somewhat privately or doesn’t host a lot of events. Figure out your socializing sweet spot and don’t be afraid to ask your interviewer what working for that company is like. They will appreciate your genuine interest and the fact that you want to be involved in their company culture.
While there are plenty of things you should be focused on to land the job you want, it’s just as important to understand some of the lesser-known things that prevent you from getting a job. Keep these things in mind as you continue on your job hunt, and they could make the difference between you landing a job over someone else.
About the Author
Jori Hamilton is an experienced writer residing in the Northwestern U.S. She covers a wide range of topics but takes a particular interest in covering topics related to business productivity and marketing strategies. To learn more about Jori, you can follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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