Tips for getting Ahead in the Job Market
The business world is very competitive and those who are unprepared are left behind. The scariest part is you can have all the right knowledge and skills in your chosen field, and still not land a job. To avoid being run over by the competition, you need to have anedgethat makes you stand out from other applicants.
- Manners
Basic etiquette can speak volumes about you as a person. When you go to an interview, smile and shake hands with the interviewer. If you are seated when the interviewer comes in, stand up and shake their hand. Look the interviewer in the eye when speaking or being spoken to, this is a sign of respect and interest in the conversation. It is fine to have a polite, conversational tone, just remember you are speaking with a professional and not one of your friends. Skill and knowledge mean very little if you are unable to communicate effectively with people. One last tip here is to maintain your composure at all times, even if you have a negative interview experience. You must not lose your temper at any point because that can reflect badly on you in the future. Angry outbursts can damage how you are perceived in the business world.
- Update resume
Keep your resume fresh and up to date. You want to avoid having your resume a "cookie cutter" piece of paper. In other words, make it different from the thousands of others out there. List all of your experience, schooling and training in order of when it occurred. It is very important to be honest on your resume, do not add or embellish things to make yourself look good. Embellishing on your resume will only come back to bite you when it is found to be untrue.
- Appearance
Whether you are picking up an application or doing an interview, always strive to look your professional best. Wear clean clothes and have your hair combed neatly away from your face. People want to see your smiling face, not your hair covering your eyes. Stand up straight and look people in the eye to show you have self-confidence.
- Continue education and training
It is good to stay ahead of the curve by keeping up with the latest trends in your field. For example if you are in the technology field but got your degree five years ago, you are behind. Take classes and get hands-on experience every chance you get. This tip applies to every field from cooking to construction. You will make yourself a more desirable job candidate by keeping your education and skills up to date.
Today's job market is tougher than ever before. Whether you are entering for the very first time or are a veteran, you definitely have to bring your "A" game. Always strive to look your best because that will help boost your self-confidence. Proper etiquette is very important at all times, even after a bad interview. Having a polished professional look and fantastic personality mean nothing if you lack current knowledge and skill in your field, therefore continue your education/training. When you put all of these components together, you stand a better chance of getting one up in the job market.
