By Kate Southam
Successful job hunting is a job in itself. And, while most of us find researching jobs, writing resumes and getting through interviews gruelling, even torturous, it has to be done. Strange as it may sound, if you try to enjoy the process you will find it much easier and do a better job.
Skills shortage or not, a slapdash effort will lose you the job. Follow this list of dos and don'ts to avoid having your application discarded.
- Do read the job ad carefully and pick out the key words used in the ad to re-use in your cover letter and resume. However, make sure your claims are genuine or you will come unstuck at the interview.
- Don't create just the one resume or cover letter to send out to every potential employer. Tailor each application to the job you are applying for.
- Do keep a track of all your applications and the people you deal with. A hiring manager or recruiter does not want to hear "Tell me again what job did I apply for?"
- Do keep a track of all your applications and the people you deal with. A hiring manager or recruiter does not want to hear "Tell me again what job did I apply for?"
- Do re-record the messages on your mobile message bank and home answering machine to sound professional even if it is only for the duration of the job hunt. Some people use novelty answer messages or worse, indifferent sounding voice messages. This is a huge turn off for employers.
- Don't spend a lot of time and energy on your cover letter and resume only to revert to email English when sending your application via the internet. This would include not writing proper sentences, using numbers instead of words, and not using capitals letters. For example, "I have attached my cover letter and resume 4 u to take a look at."
- Do proofread emails, cover letters and resumes. If you are keen on the job, check, double check and then ask a friend or family member to triple check your documents.
- Don't save your best behaviour just for the employer. When dealing with a recruiter by phone or at a first interview understand you are being assessed. If you don't impress the recruiter, you will never meet the employer.
- Do find out prior to interview who you will be meeting with, and the person's title. If you are being interviewed by more than one person, answer questions individually but make eye contact with the whole panel.
- Don't bring up salary at the first interview. In fact, the best time to discuss salary is after you have been offered the job and before you have accepted it. That is the time when you have the most power.
- Do prepare to be asked about salary. If you are asked a direct question about salary, make sure you have done your research on market rates for your role and industry so you can answer it honestly.
- Don't tell a recruiter one salary and then change it when talking to an employer. The recruiter represents the employer and will have passed on the information prior to your discussion with the employer.
http://www.careerone.com.au/jobs/job-search/get-that-job/dos-and-donts-of-job-hunting