Paula West
September 25, 2023
Career Guide ArticleOften, first-time job seekers are unsure why they are not getting callbacks after applying to multiple jobs. They may not know how important it is to prepare for an interview once they have one lined up. Here are some tips that will help you overcome barriers that may be in the way.
BEFORE APPLYING, CHECK YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
Social media can work for us or against us. We use it to share our lives with friends and family around the world. It is a wonderful tool, until it is not. There may be items online that can work against you during your job-seeking process. Take the time to ‘Google’ yourself (do not forget to search images too) and take an inventory of the results. It is a good practice to check yourself online every six months. If you find something that is potentially damaging to your job search, you can work on correcting it. You can prepare to address anything that you cannot take down if it comes up during an interview.
SEEK ADVICE FROM PROFESSIONALS
Your network is not just there to help you find your next career or lead. They are also there to help you learn; reach out to them for their expertise when you need it. There may be someone you know who could even do a mock interview with you. They could provide you with a list of questions that they have heard or asked during an interview. They can also help guide you with your outfit choice (yes, that matters) and work with you to improve your resume.
You may also have a connection to an employee of a company that you are interested in working for. They can give you some insight into the culture, skills required, and growth opportunities within the company.
BEFORE APPLYING, UPDATE THE KEYWORDS ON YOUR RESUME
Many people are not sure what keywords are or how to use them. A keyword is simply a word or phrase that matches what an employer is looking for. Think of when you type in a Google search, you know how important the keyword is to produce the results you hope to find. When using keywords in your resume, note the keywords listed in the job description. For example, if a desired skill is ‘Adobe Creative Cloud’ then use the words ‘Adobe Creative Cloud’ on your resume.
Placing keywords throughout your resume can help you pass through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) if the company you are applying to uses one. There is no set magic number of keywords to use in your resume or cover letter, but you want to remember the following:
Do not copy an exact sentence from the job description into your resume
Proofread your resume to make sure your use of keywords makes sense
WHEN YOU LAND AN INTERVIEW, RESEARCH THE COMPANY
When you take the time to research a company before an interview, you end up saving yourself time and the company that is preparing the interview a lot of time. After researching the company, you may decide the employer is not a good fit for you. If this is the case, protect a potential future professional relationship by declining the interview well in advance.
You want to learn as much as you can about:
Company values & mission
Leadership style
Affiliated companies
Financial news
Compensation
Take some time to look for any news items related to the company that may be worth mentioning during the interview. This can give you some insight into their financial position, recent changes, or big announcements to show your keen interest in the company.
Study their social published media channels. Read their articles and pay attention to what they are saying on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can gain favourable insight into their company values, corporate culture, and valuable product information.
These tips are good to remember at any stage of your career path. If you are looking for more resources, please visit the Career Success Library on the AgCareers.com website.
