Useful tips for job applicants
In the following lines, our lovely recruiters share some of their tips and what they are looking for when expanding our team. You will find information on how to make a good first impression by submitting your resume, as well as on how to behave in an online and offline setting when conducting an interview.
Keep on reading to find out what differentiates a good candidate from a great one.
Career path guide
Plan your career in advance
Before applying for any job, you must be sure that this is the field in which you would like to
develop professionally. Otherwise, if you are jumping from one job to another, you will lose your
time and the time of your employers which in turn may end up making you feel unproductive.
Try to think about your future self in 5 years
Envision where you would like to be, what you would like to achieve, where you would like to see yourself. Then, think about your future self in 10 years. This will help you create a mind map of the road ahead and the key points needed to get there.
Make a personal SWOT analysis
It will allow you to assess your strengths and weaknesses, define potential opportunities and threats. Although SWOT analysis is mostly used by companies to assess their current business situation, it can be applied to individuals with the same success.
Draw a plan and make research
It is now time to define what you need to do to achieve your goals. Make a detailed list of what skills you need to develop to be qualified enough in the field you would like to grow. Search the companies that offer positions, in which you are interested.
Time for action
All analyses, researches, and assessments have no value if you don’t start working towards achieving your goals. So, don’t wait a minute longer. Prepare and start applying as soon as you figure out what your passion is!
Cover letter
Not your average cover letter
The design
Choose a design that is suitable for the position you are applying for. For most business positions a rule of thumb is to go for a simple yet elegant design.
The content
Please avoid clichés in case you would like to have an outstanding rather than a standard cover letter.
The length
The perfect length is 3/4 of a page up to 1 page. Any more than this and your cover letter probably won’t get the needed attention.
Your presentation
Write down the skills & competencies you possess. Your own ambitions, professional goals, and desired career development; be yourself and give specifics to separate from just one of the many.
Resume format
Highlights of an eye-catching
resume format
Most probably you have read various tips & tricks on how to write the best
resume – these are the ones that we believe are key to success.
Make it user-friendly
In most cases, there will be people to read your resume. Ease their job by making it easy on the eye, Otherwise, it is highly possible that your CV ends up in the “recycle bin”.
Use a readable font
Some of the most commonly used fonts such as “Arial”, “Times New Roman”, “Verdana”, “Tahoma” make a good choice. Also, remember not to mix up fonts and sizes.
Choose the right font size
12 to 14 point size is a good option. You may use a bigger font size to highlight leading parts of your resume, but still, it is advisable not to mix up too many, so it doesn’t become overwhelming for the reader.
Highlight the important words
Bold, Italic, Underline – it is a plus when you use these formatting buttons wisely, just to highlight a leading part of your resume, a keyword, or phrase. Don’t use them in every other sentence.
Use matching colours
Using colors is a benefit when you use just one or two colors aside from the main one to highlight important parts of your resume. When using colors, try to use matching ones, preferably in neutral tones.
Keep the background plain
Stick to a white background or another light one and a dark color for the font; avoid dark or electric colors for the background.
Other resume tips
Open the door to your career success
- If adding a photo – choose a suitable up-close one that presents you as friendly and professional.
- Write in a concise manner.
Do not use too many metaphors and clichés. - Add a short intro about yourself – highlight
the milestones in your professional growth
and education so far. - List your achievements. Mention key advantages
that you might have over the other candidates. - Be sure that you are sending a clear
message of your motivation and determination for the particular job offer.
Interview suggestions
How to nail your online & on-site interviews
A job interview is your main opportunity to sell yourself to a potential employer. While “selling” might be a slightly exaggerated description, in some ways, it’s true. Interviewers assess your skills, evaluate your qualifications, and try to see whether you are the best fit for their organization.
Before the interview
Prepare your selling points
The interviewer will most likely ask questions about your previous experience, your skills, and how you gained them. So, think about these types of questions ahead of time and make some short notes to help keep you on track.
In case of feeling stressed
Breathe deeply and hold your breath for 3 seconds. This will help reduce your heartbeat and calm your thoughts.
Mute your devices
Your phone and social media constantly beeping can distract you from properly conveying your message. Make sure to disconnect from them before entering your meeting.
Succeeding in an online setting
Working equipment
Don’t test your sound and video once the interview has already begun – everything should work properly beforehand. Also, if your Wi-Fi connection is not strong and there is a risk of disconnecting, try to connect your device with the Hotspot from your phone.
Background setting
Be conscious of what’s in the view when you turn on your camera as it shouldn’t distract the interviewer from you. The safest bet is to use the blur effect.
Keep the distractions out of sight
Notify your roommates and friends of the interview that’s about to happen, so they don’t hop in the room unannounced. Keep your phone and your dog away for the duration of the call to ensure a calm environment in which you can focus.
Interview etiquette
- Keep calm. Nervous twitches and movements make it hard for the person looking at you to concentrate on what you’re trying to say. Keep your head up and your shoulders pulled back. This will help you convince the interviewers of your truthfulness and confidence.
- Body language. Nod your head when you are listening, look into the camera (if it is an online interview), don’t shift too much on your chair, and don’t play with your hair. If you are unsure what type of body language is suited for the interview, just mimic the interviewer’s postures and movements. However, do not make it too noticeable, we don’t want to feel like we are being made fun of.
- Visual representation. No, we are not talking about a full-on suit and tie situation. However, try to wear simple and clean clothes, nothing too distracting.
- Ask questions. This action will show the interviewer that you are truly interested in the position. The questions should be meaningful for you. Asking company-specific questions shows the interviewer you have actually checked the website and are seriously considering their organization as your next employer.
- Avoid one-word sentences. Imagine you are telling a story. In that way, you will provide more information about yourself and present good communication skills. We recommend using the STAR method for telling stories with clear Situation, Task, Action and Result.
- Always tell the truth. No point in lying now, just so the interviewers find out the truth later. The company should suit your views and beliefs and by lying you are preventing both parties from finding out if there is a match.
- Don’t panic in the face of the unknown. In case the interviewer asks a question and you don’t know how to answer – don’t panic. We have all been there. Just try not to answer in a rush. It is okay to take a moment to think of a suitable answer. If you didn’t understand the question, just ask for more clarifications. Better safe than sorry.
- Do not be negative Nancy. Speaking negatively about all of your previous/ current workplaces won’t help you get your dream job. Sometimes emotions take a toll on us, and we end up professing everything that was wrong at our previous jobs. This might be suitable for a conversation with a friend but only shows you are holding a grudge when negative experiences occur in your life.
Our contact people
Have more questions?
We would be glad to assist you! You can contact our HR representative.
