Advice
RESUMES | LINKEDIN | COVER LETTERS | APPLICATION | INTERVIEWS |
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RESUMES TOP 10 ADVICE
1. NO more than 3 pages seriously. Any more is just too much for the busy employer who has a full-time job, and interviews on the same day to read. Don’t end up in the bin! You have the interview to sell yourself and tell them more, the resume is a hook to reel them in and want to meet you.
2. PAGE 1 is HERO, if it does not show your skills and passion to match the Job Description you’re applying for, why should they read further?
3. You can tell me your date of birth, address, hobbies, references and YES even your education later, I want to see on PAGE 1 that your skills and passion match the Job Description! Don’t waste your potential employer’s time.
4. I don’t want a career summary and the detail in your resume, delete the summary. Employers can read so don’t repeat the same stuff.
5. Remember many junior recruiters that don't understand your industry may be shortlisting resumes for the role so if they don’t see the same words in your resume against the Job Description they deem you as not suitable for the interview shortlist.
6. Short punchy introduction on what you do/skills that match the Job Description you’re applying for are key to getting a response and an interview.
7. Don't match a Job Description word for word but instead, ensure the industry buzz words and the skills your potential employer are looking for are highlighted in your resume.
8. I read left to right, so don’t waste a lot of time formatting your resume to stand out in some weird and fabulous creative way you're not just wasting your time but your potential employers. (Unless you’re a designer but that should be a portfolio online not a resume.). Your expertise, skills, and results are what they want to see.
9. Tell me something of value that your potential employer will love, tell me your passionate about a key attribute in this role, the numbers you delivered in your last role, the people you have influenced in your last role and why that makes you the best and only candidate for this position.
10. Do you have a LinkedIn profile and does it match your resume? – If not get onto this ASAP, the first thing recruiters and employers check these days are LinkedIn. They want to see what you look like and also any references you have. Your LinkedIn photo has to be friendly not scary, not a holiday snap with a drink, just your lovely face looking confident and relaxed. References on LinkedIn are a plus so if you don’t have any get onto that now.
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LinkedIn TOP 10 ADVICE
1. Do you fully understand what LinkedIn does and can provide to you? I have seen many businesses double their size and profits simply through online networking this is the reality now, recruiters use LinkedIn yes but that’s not its only objective. I have had many people reach out to me for advice and also job offers simply by just having a profile. Get the APP on your phone TODAY!
2. LinkedIn - want to know what’s happening in your industry - look like you’re the guru in your interview and keep ahead of your industry news. Get the LinkedIn app today on your phone and get the latest daily!
3. Do you have a LinkedIn profile and does it match your RESUME? – If not get onto this ASAP, the first thing recruiters and employers check these days are LinkedIn. I have seen many Resume and LinkedIn profiles which raise red flags as they simply do not match! If that’s you, you’re now out of the running for the Job. It’s a trust thing, just get both in line or simply have a RESUME alone but your chances of a job are much less that with a LinkedIn profile. We live in a social world now like it or not!
4. Do you have many LinkedIn contacts? If not start searching now and ensure you build your network, if it does not immediately help with a job NOW it will bring you so much more in the future. Networking is KEY LinkedIn is NOT just a recruiter’s website it’s a GLOBAL NETWORKING portal! Businesses have doubled just due to LinkedIn networking!
5. References on LinkedIn are a PLUS so if you don’t have any get onto that NOW! Most recruiters and employers use LinkedIn now more than ever. Over 3.6 million Australians are on LinkedIn, if you’re NOT there, you’re not in the running and decreasing your chances of a job significantly!
6. Your LinkedIn photo has to be friendly NOT scary, not a holiday snap with a drink, just your lovely face looking confident and relaxed and please wearing something that looks professional no matter what the role. Perception is KEY!
7. Have you viewed your own LinkedIn profile and your RESUME on your mobile phone to see what they look like? Employers are busy! Don’t be the one that does not make the cut because you’re RESUME or LinkedIn does not demonstrate what your skills are on PAGE 1! Take a look now!
8. Have you used LinkedIn to search for Jobs? YES, this is where the industry is going, job sites also have to advertise here as they no longer hold the market! Get onto LinkedIn Jobs now.
9. If you are currently unemployed and happy to make it public that you're seeking a role, make this a feature on your LinkedIn profile today, recruiters will come running.
10. How do I use LinkedIn it’s all new to me – check out Mashables guide to beginners LinkedIn >>
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Cover Letters TOP 10 ADVICE
1. Include ALL your contact information – yes sound simple but many include an address but no email or contact number. How can a recruiter or potential employer contact you immediately if you only supplied snail mail as your contact details.
2. Include a RE: Line at the top of your cover letter before the Dear Name … Example RE: Senior Project Manager Position at Telstra. Many recruiters and employers are looking to recruit for more than one role and have a surplus of candidates so don’t lose your shortlist position by not having simple Cover Letter etiquette.
3. Address the cover letter to the hiring manager or recruiter name if supplied – If not simply “Dear Sir/Madam” will suffice. If you don’t enter a name when it is provided and default to Sir/Madam it's just sloppy.
4. Only include information that is relevant – so don’t tell them about your years as a project manager when the role is for a consultant, make sure you target your cover letter to the organization and job role.
5. Tell them why you are the only candidate for this role and include the 5 W’s – who, what, where, when and why you are the only candidate for this position.
6. Keep it short, concise and laser focused on the organization and role you're applying for – A cover letter needs to be punchy so no more than 3 paragraphs and ideally 250 words in length. You have the interview to discuss more, don’t put all your cards on the table now, and create the hook to reel them in and shortlist you for interview.
7. Highlight your key skills that match the role – This again will ensure you are short listed. Recruiters, no matter how senior are not experts in every industry, and are time poor when they receive a surplus of applications, so ensure the skills required for the role are clearly articulated in your cover letter.
8. Research the company first – Do not tell them what you don’t know about the company only what you do and why you want to work for them.
9. 3 paragraphs rule – Paragraph 1 – Who you are and what experience you have. Paragraph 2 – Why you want to work for them and why you are the best candidate for this role. Paragraph 3 – When you are available, and look forward to discussing this position further.
10. Spell Check – That old chestnut! Don’t get caught out here, we are all human but spelling errors just raise alarm bells and scream sloppy.
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Job Application TOP 10 ADVICE
1. Tailor your resume to the job description – yes sound hard but it should only take you 10-15 minutes for each job application unless you’re a web developer applying for a role as an astronaut. Review the Job application and highlight the key skills they are looking for so 5 years experience in X and ensure you have clearly highlighted this on page one of your resume and further highlight in your cover letter.
2. Cover letters are simple etiquette – A cover letter is the shortest sales pitch to see you shortlisted for a role before a recruiter or potential employer even looks at your CV. This is your ONLY chance to tell them with passion why you want to work for them and why you are the only candidate for this role.
3. Keep a record of what Job you applied for and when – Give it at least 7-10 days before you follow up after the closing date. Recruiters and employers are super busy and don’t start to shortlist until after the close date. They receive a surplus of applications so don’t apply pressure! After 7 days it is fine and also shows your keen if you follow up with the recruiter or employer to say, Dear Name, I just wanted to follow up on my application for said role. Tell them again in a different language from your cover letter why you want to work for them and why you’re the best candidate with the right experience and skills and look forward to discussing further.
4. Ask your recruiter – If you get an email or call stating you have not got the role, don’t take this as a slap in the face but an opportunity to learn. Ask them honestly why you’re not getting shortlisted? What are you lacking or have not highlighted in your resume. Be polite and friendly and build relationships with them! If you communicate professionally they will help you improve your CV and application for future roles.
5. Build relationships - Be friendly not “I have not heard back yet …” or “When are interview dates as I need to be ready…” this will put your resume at the bottom of the pile. Build relationships with EVERYONE recruiter and potential employer, if it does not see you successful now it will for other opportunities in the future.
6. Don’t apply for roles you have no experience in – apart from wasting everyone’s time including your own, if you can’t demonstrate it, don’t apply for it!
7. Don’t apply for 5 different roles with the same recruiter – recruiters have one central database so when they receive your application for processing they can see you applied for a junior developer and a project management role and they will simply remove you from the running if they see you're playing the system.
8. DO apply for the role you are seeking, don’t get application crazy – do it in batches and apply for 4-6 roles at a time and leave it for 2 weeks and follow up. Trust me, if a recruiter sees you're keen but you don’t get the role they will look for other options for you but NOT if you're applying for 3 different roles, they just don’t trust you as a candidate!
9. Get your recommendations on LinkedIn – If you have not yet asked an old colleague or boss to write a recommendation on LinkedIn get onto that. Recommendations spring you to the top of the pile! You only need 1-2 for each role to stand you in good stead on LinkedIn. You can also request the recommender includes key industry buzz words. Example: Joe was our SEO guru in X company.
10. Get your photo on LinkedIn – No photo seems a bit suspect as does a holiday snap with a pina colada. We don’t know you yet, so make sure your profile image is professional and smile. I have seen many a scary profile pic in my time. Look friendly and professional. Head and shoulder shots are best.
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InterviewS TOP 10 ADVICE
Got that interview! Now you need to prepare and I don’t mean over-rehearse I mean: Do your research on the company and ensure you have at least three questions to ask about the organization NOT just about the role. Show them you’re already one of them and the only candidate for the role. See my interview questions below and ensure you have answers to these to ensure you are confident. Show UP 10 minutes early NOT 30 minutes that’s annoying, plan ahead and get in the area for a coffee at least 30 minutes before you walk into their premises. That way you’ll be relaxed, confident and prepared.
1. Look up your potential hiring manager on LinkedIn – You will be informed by the recruiter or internal HR team who you’re interviewing with. Look them up on LinkedIn to know what they look like and also what they do! You will now feel a lot more confident if you know more about your interviewer.
2. Dress for success – make sure you’re dressed in your best attire, suited and booted if it’s corporate. If its agency nice pants, skirt and a suit jacket to boot and your there. Shoes … must be smart and clean!
3. Switch your phone to silent – if you have not already! Nothing more embarrassing than your phone ringing and you’re in mid-conversation that’s flowing and it interrupts your train of thought and also says to your potential employer sorry my calls are more important than this meeting with you.
4. Show up 10 minutes early – Not half an hour early that’s just annoying! Be in the area at least 30 minutes before to ensure you are relaxed and prepared. Get the earlier train and get a coffee, just don’t be late it says your more important than your potential employer and may cut your interview short. Be prepared to wait, smile and be polite on arrival to reception staff. Tell them who you are here to see and why “Hi how are you? Wait for a response then state “I’m here to see John Smith for an interview for the Project Management role at 12pm, I’m a little bit early.” Then let them guide you to a seat to wait. Even pop quickly to the toilets, check how you look, just don’t wash your hands and leave them wet or sweaty as not the best first impression when you shake hands.
5. Put your bag, laptop or file down on the table or seat next to you – you’re then ready to stand up and shake hands or say hello to your potential employer without your hands being full and feeling flustered.
6. Keep your head up at all times, smile and look at all people walking towards you and making eye contact with you. Your potential line manager may send another colleague to collect you so make the right impression with everyone!
7. First impressions are so important! Match their body language and verbal communication. So if they put their hand out to shake your hand, take it! If they talk loudly, raise your voice a little (don’t shout) and if quiet then follow suit: say “Hi John, thanks for taking the time to meet with me today!” Then take their lead to the interview area.
8. Body Language and confidence - Don’t fold your arms or lean back in your chair it’s rude and arrogant – body language is vital! Sit with a good posture, don’t slump. Use your hands to articulate what you’re saying it shows passion, but not a puppet show please, just simple hand gestures are strong body language and engage with your interviewer. It’s nice to smile, but a smile all the way through an interview comes across as sarcastic, just relax and be you! You will know the queues to smile or have a serious face the same way you do when a friend is telling a story so just relax.
9. Ask smart questions about the company based on what you already researched and know – show you have done your research and super excited to work for them example: “I’m very familiar with that area in our industry, out of interest what’s your process that sees you successful?” OR “I’m highly motivated and excited to get my teeth into this role and feel I can bring X from my experience which I hope benefits Company Name” OR “So I understand from LinkedIn Pulse OR your website you offer X service which your competitors don’t, which is great but how does that work from a cost perspective in pre-sales when the client is looking to select a vendor at a fixed price?” OR “I understand the company provides employees time to work on charities or gives to charities that’s so inspiring”
10. Leaving statement – Ensure you make an impression on leaving “John it was a pleasure to meet you and thanks for your time today! This is an amazing organization and I hope we can continue discussions on this role” Don’t say John “I’m so excited to work here because ….. Or when will you get back to me” just let them know your keen but not desperate. Shake hands and say “look forward to talking more”.
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