Insider tips?

Misshomme

I've just started looking for work again and I would love to know what would give me the edge over another candidate when it comes to interviews and applying for a job. Lets say for example that 100 people apply for the same job and the majority of them have as much experience as me and as much to offer. What strengthens a persons chances of being picked? and what common mistakes could I avoid? I would like to hear from employers, people who work in HR and recruitment agencies.

Thanks in advance

CountryGuy

you could also watch the fairy jobmother.

Good luck with future interviews and I hope you soon get employment

Emmzi

if there is a number that says "call here for enquires" call and ask enthusastic questions about the job. That helps me look out for your cv coming in and assuming you haven't been an idiot on the phone I am 90% likely to interview you.

dseventy

"can do" and a positive attitude gets you miles and miles IMO.

D70

KiKi

Tailor every CV and covering letter to the specific job.

Make sure you demonstrate EVERY essential criteria and as many desirable criteria as you can. If you can't demonstrate all essential ones, don't bother applying, as there will be plenty who can.

Make it easy for me to find what I need in your CV / application. Use bullet points, check spelling, sensible spacing, polite and friendly.

KiKi

Claytone

Network. I know people cringe when it comes up, but the odds of finding a job through someone you know (or once or twice removed) compared to those of finding work through replying to ads, are enormously better.

It's also really helpful to try out some informational interviews. Look up that term on google. It's a good way to try on jobs and find out what's really important to the kinds of people who will be hiring you.

Finally, buy a copy of 'what color is your parachute' or 'Pathfinders'. Both very good job hunting/career advice books.

CFC

If I interviewed you and X and you were equal in every way, I would take the interviewee with the most enthusiasm for the role.
To get the interview ensure that your CV covers off every element of the job in a way that is simple for the viewer to understand.

What kind of job are you looking for?

Oldernotwiser

Misshomme wrote: »

I've just started looking for work again and I would love to know what would give me the edge over another candidate when it comes to interviews and applying for a job. Lets say for example that 100 people apply for the same job and the majority of them have as much experience as me and as much to offer. What strengthens a persons chances of being picked? and what common mistakes could I avoid? I would like to hear from employers, people who work in HR and recruitment agencies.

Thanks in advance

Checking what you've written for grammatical mistakes is a good place to start.;)

mitch161

if you have sent off a CV. give them oppertunity to VET u for a interview. if they respond with the usual sorry you have not been successfully vetted for a interview. reply to them with something along the lines of
"i truly thank you for the time you have spent reading through my application. I am very keen on a career in this company/sector so i wish to enquire as to what limited me for this role so i can improve myself for any future opertunities with you"

some reply back with job filled internally. qualifications did not match. personal statement did not adequatly show that your experience covers the role.

keep asking them how, how how. but of course unlike this post word it nicely, politely and positively (without my spelling mistakes) and get yourself known to the HR department. next time a oppertunity comes up, they will remember you and think. well he seemed really interested lets risk a interview.

and so on.. sometimes just showing enthusiasm by enquiring on your failing could give u a chance to be put back onto the current interviewing lists that week as they feel it worth the oppertunity for you to face to face explain the failings and if they are failings or just skills you do have but did not elaborate on your CV

loads of advice on here about that. but it helps to enquire afterwards as although you maay have applied for a senior role and not been good enough for it, a junior role may pop up. (where internally promotion happens) and your name is stuck in their mind as a enthusiastic applicant willing to learn and improve self.

diable

Misshomme wrote: »

I've just started looking for work again and I would love to know what would give me the edge over another candidate when it comes to interviews and applying for a job.

Thats why there are job agencies out there using applications like voyager,,,,,,

Misshomme

claypearn wrote: »

Network. I know people cringe when it comes up, but the odds of finding a job through someone you know (or once or twice removed) compared to those of finding work through replying to ads, are enormously better.

It's also really helpful to try out some informational interviews. Look up that term on google. It's a good way to try on jobs and find out what's really important to the kinds of people who will be hiring you.

Finally, buy a copy of 'what color is your parachute' or 'Pathfinders'. Both very good job hunting/career advice books.

Some fantastic ideas and recommendations. Thank you.