Always submit
a cover letter when you are applying for positions. A cover letter is
a professional introduction to your potential employer.
Read the advertisement criteria and ensure you address each point in your
resume.
Respond to all the outlined selection criteria for a government application.
Omitting 1 question may cause your application to be automatically discarded.
Obtaining assistance from a professional resume writer will make this
difficult task easy.
Adjust your resume and cover letter for every position. Remove any information
that is not applicable to role and ensure you delete skills that you would
prefer not to do. Remember-your resume does not have to be a full confession
of everything you have ever been involved in. It is a summary. Don't waste
your potential employer's time by forcing them to sort through information
that is not relevant. Obtaining the help of a professional resume writer
can assist you in grabbing a competitive advantage. Well worth the investment!
Do not focus your efforts only towards advertised positions; forward your
resume and cover letter to companies of which you would like to work.
Only 20% of jobs are advertised and 80% of job seekers will apply for
them. That means increased competition for these roles. Seek out your
own opportunities. You'll increase your chances if you go directly to
the source and request that the company keep your resume on file for any
future positions. Don't apply directly to the HR Manager, discover the
name of the manager in the department of which you want to join; address
your cover letter and resume to them.
Acquaint your friends and family with the nature of role you are seeking.
Ask them to keep and eye out for you. Don't underestimate the power of
networking.
Many companies include a 'positions vacant' area on their website and
some will email you available roles on a regular basis. Use this tool!
In addition, sign up with the employment agency websites and forward your
resume to as many recruitment agencies as you can. Re-send every 3 months
advising them of your availability. Again, don't concentrate your efforts
in this area. If you wait around for their phone call, you may be greatly
disappointed. Agencies have a limited number of positions with more than
enough applicants.
There are hundreds more including recruitment sites that specialise in
graduates or specific industries.
There are facilities on the web to express your resume to hundreds of
companies. This is done for a fee.
Try www.drakeexpress.com.au
or www.resumeexpress.com.au
Be nice to recruitment consultants - the recruitment process can be
frustrating and at times, demeaning, do not let this deter you. Be cheerful
and pleasant to win them over. Show them that you are resilient and determined
and that you will be as accommodating as necessary to achieve your goal.
Your aim is to inspire confidence so that they genuinely want you to succeed
in winning the job and will go in fighting to get you an interview.
Follow up, follow up, follow up - make sure you keep in touch with the
recruiter to find out the status of your application. Avoid harassing
them by noting the date the decision is to be finalised and contacting
them shortly after. Be confident at all times, don't speak in negative
terms and do not off-load your frustrations on them.
If you are not offered an interview, check your skills against the description.
Decide if you are being realistic with your goals then phone to ask why
you were overlooked. You could have just missed out making the short list
by someone slightly more qualified. You may possibly feel better if you
discover that you performed admirably against hundreds of other applicants.
Send a copy of your resume to your referees and a description of the type
of role you want. Helping them prepare will assist you in obtaining a
favourable outcome. Ask them to advise you they are contacted for a reference;
this can indicate the level of interest. An employer or agency should
not contact your referees before you have been interviewed.
Ensure you have a professional email address included on your resume,
not something like puppylove@hotmail. Check your email daily. Have an
answering machine activated with a professional message on it. Advise
other household members, including older children, to answer the phone
using a friendly tone. First impressions count. Make it easy for an employer
to get hold of you by having a mobile with a professional message on it.
A good book to read is 'Tap the Hidden Job Market' by Pauline Charlestown
- the book can be ordered in or purchased on www.choice.com.au.
As a last note:
Don't underestimate the influential power of a professionally
written resume. It should be a powerful marketing tool that successfully
competes against other applicants. Without a professional resume with
a contemporary format you will limit your chances of obtaining and interview.
Ask yourself - Is your resume and cover letter generating interviews?
Do you know how to stand out from the others? Does your cover letter introduce
you and highlight specific strengths that fit the job you are applying
for? Do you need a powerful resume to make a career change? Do you need
a custom-written resume that generates top results and interviews?
Professionally developed high-performance resumes and cover letters can
dramatically increase your chances of getting interviews.
If you are not successfully gaining interviews, it is time to book a Professional
Resume service.