The Job Application Tango

Getting a job can be a long, painful process. It’s easy to feel like the only person that matters is your interviewer, who has the power to approve or reject your application. Whether you have just graduated from college or you’ve been retired for years and are thinking about getting back into the workforce, job openings are important because they play an integral role in our society and they make it possible for us to live comfortably.

The standard job application is an accepted, though increasingly outdated, process. It’s oriented to the candidate and not the employer.

This article will show you how to make your job application stand out and get you hired.

The Job Application Tango: How To Stand Out And Get Hired

1) Show Your Passion

Instead of giving a canned speech about how much you care about your field and what interested you about this job, focus on your motivations for joining the company. Ask yourself why you want to work for this particular firm. Are you a part of the team that came up with the product? Are you joining a big corporation because you want to be more than simply another employee and instead have an impact on a global level?

Are you looking to do something different? Perhaps you’re tired of corporate politics and want to work in an environment that’s more laid back.

2) Show Your Skills

Once again, focus on what you can bring to the table. What are your skills, abilities and knowledge that directly apply to this position? Are there any certifications or other ways of showing your proficiency in this field? Think about how much energy and enthusiasm you’ll bring with every day at work.

The more you show your passion and demonstrate your skills, the greater your chance of getting the job.

3) Package Yourself Well

Once you’ve shown that you’re passionate and well-rounded, it’s time to take care of the ‘pretty’ things. The company wants to see that you have a completed resume and cover letter. You should also have a portfolio (or video interview) that demonstrates what you can do for their company. These are all important components to make an impression on potential employers.

In addition to making sure everything is well-presented, don’t forget to dress professionally. A good rule of thumb is to dress more casually than you normally would and wear a suit or other professional attire only if asked to do so.

4) Ask For The Job!

Now that you’ve showed your enthusiasm and skills, it’s time to get down to business. You need to be able to ask for the job! Be prepared for the response you might get and simply thank them for their time and consideration. Hope that they will want you on their team!

Don’t let your interview go too long; if your interviewer can see how tired you are, they may decide not to hire you.

5) Be Persistent If You’re Denied

It’s possible to be denied for a job, even after having done all of the above. Make sure that you’re polite and thank them for giving you the opportunity to discuss your qualifications. This can be hard since you may be so eager to work with them but keep in mind that they are the ones in control of this situation.

Challenge yourself to follow up after your interview by thanking them once again and continuing to show why you are perfect for this position.

Make sure that you’re heard. If the company really wants to hire you, they’ll be reaching out to you soon!

6) Follow Up And Thank Them For Their Time

Once you have received an answer, it is your job to contact them if there is any additional information that needs to be added about the position, especially if it was filled already or there were any excuses for not hiring. You can also contact them once you are on the job and post a comment or two on their blog or Facebook page.

8) Be Patient And Persistent

If they still don’t respond, keep following up and eventually someone will get back to you. If they say no, then keep trying! You may get so desperate that you end up emailing everyone in the company and sending them your resume. Make sure that you’re being professional about this and not acting too desperate.

9) Emotionally Prepare For The Interview

Keep in mind that this is a job interview and you are interviewing yourself. Do your research and be prepared to talk about what you can offer to their company. Think about what you would want to ask the interviewer. When the time comes, smile, shake hands and make sure that everything looks good on paper.

Expect the unexpected and don’t be afraid to speak up if you think that something is going wrong.

10) Follow Up With A Thank You Note

After your interview, make sure that you send a thank you note to your interviewer. Make sure that it is customized and shows how grateful you are to have the opportunity.

A word of caution: whatever happens, keep yourself together and remain professional at all times. Letting loose in an interview can be a disaster if you’re not careful so make sure that you can demonstrate your professionalism at all times during the hiring process.

11) Make Sure That Your Resume Is Updated

A job application is only good for a certain amount of time. If they don’t get your resume, it may be a good idea to follow up with them and call them out on it. Even if they’re not hiring right away, you should contact them since you have already made an impression! Follow up with a ‘thank you’ note at the end of this particular interview.

12) Show That You Are Team Players

If the company has hired someone who is much more qualified to do the job than you, be professional and polite about it.

Conclusion

A job interview is a chance to show how much you care about the company and how great of an asset they would be to your career. You can’t just be another employee that doesn’t come prepared, eats food from the break room and hardly ever speaks.

It’s important that you demonstrate your enthusiasm about the position. By emphasizing that you are passionate about the company and interested in contributing to their success, it shows that you care about their future as a company and are worth keeping for themselves.

You’ve also got to think about what other skills you can bring to the table such as ones related to work ethics, professionalism, client-focused attitude and so on.