Job hunting is not easy, it’s difficult especially when you’re still at school or at another job. Based on my experience over the last 4 years, I’m going to give a few useful tips on how approach job applications.
1. Start early - I started job hunting myself (no parent contacts) in my first year of university. However, things got a lot more serious in my second year. I say this because; I wasn’t eloquent, I wasn’t confident and I didn’t know what job I wanted. All, I just knew I wanted money. To convince the interviewer you want a job, you need to be fairly eloquent, confident and know why you want the job.
2. Do your research - Write down the industries you have an interest in and look for companies. I had 3 industries - consulting, technology and banking. I probably had a list of about 40 companies with the role I was interested in. I know it’s a lot but I wasn’t sure what I wanted. The clearer you are on what you want, the more efficient the process will be because the chances are that you’ll have a shorter list of companies.
I did some more research and was eventually able to cut my list down to about 30 companies.
3. Apply – Most applications need CVs and cover letters. For CV’s, I would say; have a generic one and if required, tweak it for the role especially if you’re applying for different roles like I did. Do the same thing with cover letters, but make sure to play around with it to fit it to the industry and the various roles. I had about 4 main cover letters I would tweak. Your cover letter should be convincing and unorthodox. Show why you want to work for the company, why you want that role and why they should hire you for that role/ company.
Please be convincing, this is your chance to woo the recruiter. If you haven’t done anything interesting, start to do interesting things at university or in life that will you make you stand out. This is why starting early helps so you have time to do more that will help spice up (lol) your cover letter and CV.
4. Practice Practice Practice - This is SO key. There are sooo many reasons why you need to:
- They are interviewing sooo many people just like you. A good grade is just the barest minimum.
- Know the company, understand the requirements of the role, message people that might know someone or just find someone on LinkedIn who can give you insider information because that will make you stand out.
- For questions about yourself: Typically, companies ask similar questions so practice (out loud) and google common interview questions. YouTube is your best friend for direction! It’s unusual selling yourself so practicing really helps you to improve.
- Practice with your people!
- Practice the structure of your answers, - STAR ( Situation, Task, Action, Result) really helped me.
- Put yourself in the interviewers position and think ‘would I hire myself’? If not, try and adjust your answers to make them more persuasive.
- Its okay to be extra- e.g. For consulting, I had to know my mental maths, “Mental maths card challenge” is a great app for that.
5. Be true to yourself - I’m an introvert and initially tried to portray myself otherwise in past interviews but these interviewers can see through it so let your interviewer know they’re hiring a real person that they can work with. Find what makes you unique and say it in your interview. Everyone has a special gift/ character. Spin it to your advantage
6. Network - I still shy away from this but it’s needed!
- With people in higher positions - As tasking as it may sound, it’s key because you really never know. I met the partner of the firm I currently work for at a business conference
- With your peers because my peers have actually help me at my current job when I need advice for tasks
7. Lastly, a good job doesn’t define you. It’s what you achieve on earth that matters the most. So don’t let the rejections get to you as long as you GENUINELY gave it your all and prepared. After all, it just might not be meant for you. For example, I got rejected from ALL the companies I initially applied to until I applied in a different location where I believe God wanted me to be. Thankfully for me, God shut all the doors I tried to enter and kept only one door open for me (All Glory to him!!)
In the same way, you might need to move into another industry or apply to a different location where you are meant to me. It’s so key to be in alignment with the will of God to discern which opportunity isn’t meant for you at a particular point in time.
All the best!!! Happy to help with Job applications/ interview prep!