How to get a job: A Five-Week Guide to Getting a Job

How to Get a Job

With these job search tips and tricks, you’ll score a new job in no time.

We’d like to deliver you some very good news: a job search doesn’t have to be tough, and neither does landing a new job—if you know exactly how to get a job, that is.

Some job seekers, for example, don’t realize that a handwritten thank you note sent post-interview can clinch the job deal, while others have never heard of applicant tracking systems—technology that reads resumes and chucks those that are missing job description keywords in the trash. But with this insider information, you can defy the odds and land your dream job—all while making it look oh-so-easy.

Recruiters and hiring managers will be looking at your resume, of course—but they also want to see complementary online content, too, such as your LinkedIn profile and online resume. In fact, one recruiter told Glassdoor she likes to see attachments, project work, videos, or blogs, too. 

Read More: The Printed Resume vs. The Online Profile: Why You Still Need Both

Highlight your transferable skills.

You want to show off why you’re right for a particular role. But you also want to make clear why you’re right for any role, we’ve heard recruiters say. So, when it comes to your resume and cover letter, focus on the skills and experience you have that would make you an ideal candidate anywhere. Then, in an interview, be ready to share how you’ll relay those skills in the new role.   

Read More: Ask a Resume Writer: How Do I Showcase Transferable Skills?

Use your words.

And more specifically, use the right words. Applicant tracking systems scan resumes in search of keywords, and throw out any that don’t contain them before they have the chance to be seen by human eyes. So how can you game the tech? It’s easy. Read the job description for the job you’re applying—then see how those words stack up against similar job postings. Words that repeat across multiple listings belong on your resume—preferably at the top, as well as in context.

Read More: 13 Must-Have Words to Include In Your Resume

Tell a compelling story in your cover letter.

Do you know the difference between a resume and a cover letter? You don’t want to simply repeat what’s on your resume when you write your cover letter. Rather, you want to dig a little deeper, answering questions a potential employer might ask such as: what makes this company your go-to choice, and why is this company special to you? Answer the questions in as much detail as possible to stand out from the crowd.

Read More: Ask a Resume Writer: How Can I Show Culture Fit?

Catch your resume mistakes.

It’s not enough to run a simple spell check on your resume. You’ll need to employ some special editing tactics—such as reading your resume backward and asking a friend to proofread for you—in order to catch every mistake on the page. There’s even editing software specifically for resumes. If you allow an error to sneak in, you are sending the employer an unintended and incorrect message that you are sloppy and don’t care about your work.  

Read More: 6 Resume Mistakes To Avoid At All Costs

Prepare for an interview before you get it.

You won’t be caught off guard by an interview question if you’ve studied the common questions asked by recruiters and managers alike. Plus, knowing your responses in advance will keep you cool, calm, and collected during the interview—confidence any employer will be pleased to see.

Read More: The 50 Most Common Interview Questions

Dress for the job you want.

It’s not enough to slip out of sweatpants and put on something fancy. You have to dress for success and be comfortable in what you’re wearing. If you’re uncomfortable, you might lose some confidence in the interview. But if you look and feel good, your job savvy should easily shine through.

Read More: 6 Perfect Interview Outfits for Every Occasion

Show off your likable side.

An interview doesn’t have to be all business. In fact, applicants willing to show their personalities are received better by managers than people who remain tight-lipped during the interview. That’s because this manager could become your boss—and he or she wants to make sure you can get along well. Share your personality when answering questions and resist the urge to respond robotically.

Read More: 6 Anecdotes You Need to Rehearse Before Your Next Interview

Always send a thank-you note.

A recent study found that 86 percent of hiring managers said not sending a thank-you note shows lack of follow-through. So follow-up—and show off your manners—with a handwritten note on nice paper or even in an email. The point is to do it, and do it promptly; the medium doesn’t matter as much. In the note, thank your potential employer for his or her time, and be sure to share about something you learned during the interview. Why? Sharing the lesson shows you were paying attention to the employer, and you’re serious about the role.

Read More: How to Write A Winning Thank You Letter

Avoid getting too personal in interviews.

Turns out, some of the answers you think are appropriate to share—like your favorite childhood memory when asked question, “Tell me about yourself”—are actually a turnoff to recruiters, and in some cases, can cost you the job. So just like you’ll practice what to say in the interview, you should also research what not to say to a potential employer.

Read More: 40 Interview Questions You Should Be Prepared to Ask & Answer

Don’t talk about money (yet).

Bringing up any salary questions during an initial interview—especially a phone interview—is a big no-no, career experts say. Why? It’s simply not the appropriate time, because you haven’t made it far enough into the interview process. So save the money talk for a second or third interview, when it’s clear you’re taking steps toward landing the job.

Read More: How to Address Salary at Each Stage of the Application Process

Be proactive during the interview.

Rather than allow for the recruiter or hiring manager to ask you all of the questions, be confident and proactive during your time together. You’ve researched the company’s culture and mission on Glassdoor, and you’re looking for a job that fits your life. Therefore it’s important to dig deeper. If you ask questions about management style, professional development, performances measurements and team collaboration, you’ll show a potential employer you’re both an informed candidate and serious about the job.  

Read More: The 45 Questions You Should Ask In Every Job Interview

Hopefully, you know by now that Facebook statuses that describe wild nights with friends can a turnoff to potential employers. But did you know that you can use social media to build a personal brand, making you more attractive to a hiring manager? One easy way to do just that is to expand from what’s on your resume—you can post pictures or summaries of projects you’ve worked on, include a short bio about your skills, or share articles that show you’re an expert in your industry.

Read More: Hate Social Media? Here’s Why You Should Reconsider

Seal the deal by negotiating.

The final stage of getting a job is negotiating the package. While compensation often comes to mind first, remember that there are far more facets of the job that you can customize than you think. From benefits to work-from-home options, stock options to a travel stipend, there’s a lot on the table. Make a list of the things that are most important to you and that you’ll need to execute your job well. Be sure to check Know Your Worth to make sure their base salary offer is competitive with the market. Then, speak to your hiring manager and the recruiter about whether those needs can be fulfilled. These days, negotiating is an expected part of the job search process. Ask as many questions as you need and get the answers you need to make the best job decision for you.

Read More: 11 Words and Phrases to Use in Salary Negotiations if You Want to Succeed

How to Get a Job

With these job search tips and tricks, you’ll score a new job in no time.

We’d like to deliver you some very good news: a job search doesn’t have to be tough, and neither does landing a new job—if you know exactly how to get a job, that is.

Some job seekers, for example, don’t realize that a handwritten thank you note sent post-interview can clinch the job deal, while others have never heard of applicant tracking systems—technology that reads resumes and chucks those that are missing job description keywords in the trash. But with this insider information, you can defy the odds and land your dream job—all while making it look oh-so-easy.

Recruiters and hiring managers will be looking at your resume, of course—but they also want to see complementary online content, too, such as your LinkedIn profile and online resume. In fact, one recruiter told Glassdoor she likes to see attachments, project work, videos, or blogs, too. 

Read More: The Printed Resume vs. The Online Profile: Why You Still Need Both

Highlight your transferable skills.

You want to show off why you’re right for a particular role. But you also want to make clear why you’re right for any role, we’ve heard recruiters say. So, when it comes to your resume and cover letter, focus on the skills and experience you have that would make you an ideal candidate anywhere. Then, in an interview, be ready to share how you’ll relay those skills in the new role.   

Read More: Ask a Resume Writer: How Do I Showcase Transferable Skills?

Use your words.

And more specifically, use the right words. Applicant tracking systems scan resumes in search of keywords, and throw out any that don’t contain them before they have the chance to be seen by human eyes. So how can you game the tech? It’s easy. Read the job description for the job you’re applying—then see how those words stack up against similar job postings. Words that repeat across multiple listings belong on your resume—preferably at the top, as well as in context.

Read More: 13 Must-Have Words to Include In Your Resume

Tell a compelling story in your cover letter.

Do you know the difference between a resume and a cover letter? You don’t want to simply repeat what’s on your resume when you write your cover letter. Rather, you want to dig a little deeper, answering questions a potential employer might ask such as: what makes this company your go-to choice, and why is this company special to you? Answer the questions in as much detail as possible to stand out from the crowd.

Read More: Ask a Resume Writer: How Can I Show Culture Fit?

Catch your resume mistakes.

It’s not enough to run a simple spell check on your resume. You’ll need to employ some special editing tactics—such as reading your resume backward and asking a friend to proofread for you—in order to catch every mistake on the page. There’s even editing software specifically for resumes. If you allow an error to sneak in, you are sending the employer an unintended and incorrect message that you are sloppy and don’t care about your work.  

Read More: 6 Resume Mistakes To Avoid At All Costs

Prepare for an interview before you get it.

You won’t be caught off guard by an interview question if you’ve studied the common questions asked by recruiters and managers alike. Plus, knowing your responses in advance will keep you cool, calm, and collected during the interview—confidence any employer will be pleased to see.

Read More: The 50 Most Common Interview Questions

Dress for the job you want.

It’s not enough to slip out of sweatpants and put on something fancy. You have to dress for success and be comfortable in what you’re wearing. If you’re uncomfortable, you might lose some confidence in the interview. But if you look and feel good, your job savvy should easily shine through.

Read More: 6 Perfect Interview Outfits for Every Occasion

Show off your likable side.

An interview doesn’t have to be all business. In fact, applicants willing to show their personalities are received better by managers than people who remain tight-lipped during the interview. That’s because this manager could become your boss—and he or she wants to make sure you can get along well. Share your personality when answering questions and resist the urge to respond robotically.

Read More: 6 Anecdotes You Need to Rehearse Before Your Next Interview

Always send a thank-you note.

A recent study found that 86 percent of hiring managers said not sending a thank-you note shows lack of follow-through. So follow-up—and show off your manners—with a handwritten note on nice paper or even in an email. The point is to do it, and do it promptly; the medium doesn’t matter as much. In the note, thank your potential employer for his or her time, and be sure to share about something you learned during the interview. Why? Sharing the lesson shows you were paying attention to the employer, and you’re serious about the role.

Read More: How to Write A Winning Thank You Letter

Avoid getting too personal in interviews.

Turns out, some of the answers you think are appropriate to share—like your favorite childhood memory when asked question, “Tell me about yourself”—are actually a turnoff to recruiters, and in some cases, can cost you the job. So just like you’ll practice what to say in the interview, you should also research what not to say to a potential employer.

Read More: 40 Interview Questions You Should Be Prepared to Ask & Answer

Don’t talk about money (yet).

Bringing up any salary questions during an initial interview—especially a phone interview—is a big no-no, career experts say. Why? It’s simply not the appropriate time, because you haven’t made it far enough into the interview process. So save the money talk for a second or third interview, when it’s clear you’re taking steps toward landing the job.

Read More: How to Address Salary at Each Stage of the Application Process

Be proactive during the interview.

Rather than allow for the recruiter or hiring manager to ask you all of the questions, be confident and proactive during your time together. You’ve researched the company’s culture and mission on Glassdoor, and you’re looking for a job that fits your life. Therefore it’s important to dig deeper. If you ask questions about management style, professional development, performances measurements and team collaboration, you’ll show a potential employer you’re both an informed candidate and serious about the job.  

Read More: The 45 Questions You Should Ask In Every Job Interview

Hopefully, you know by now that Facebook statuses that describe wild nights with friends can a turnoff to potential employers. But did you know that you can use social media to build a personal brand, making you more attractive to a hiring manager? One easy way to do just that is to expand from what’s on your resume—you can post pictures or summaries of projects you’ve worked on, include a short bio about your skills, or share articles that show you’re an expert in your industry.

Read More: Hate Social Media? Here’s Why You Should Reconsider

Seal the deal by negotiating.

The final stage of getting a job is negotiating the package. While compensation often comes to mind first, remember that there are far more facets of the job that you can customize than you think. From benefits to work-from-home options, stock options to a travel stipend, there’s a lot on the table. Make a list of the things that are most important to you and that you’ll need to execute your job well. Be sure to check Know Your Worth to make sure their base salary offer is competitive with the market. Then, speak to your hiring manager and the recruiter about whether those needs can be fulfilled. These days, negotiating is an expected part of the job search process. Ask as many questions as you need and get the answers you need to make the best job decision for you.

Read More: 11 Words and Phrases to Use in Salary Negotiations if You Want to Succeed

How to get a job without experience

A resume is the first contact an employer has with a candidate. If there is no work experience in a new specialty yet, the resume needs to be edited. First of all, change the title: from the old profession to the new one.

List all the trainings and refresher courses you have completed that are relevant to your future job. If the profile education of the applicant is philological, but in parallel with his studies at the university he attended design courses, this will be an argument in his favor.

Nevertheless, the first education should also be mentioned, especially if the specialty is quite general: sociology, management, history. Higher education is often one of the filters in the selection of a candidate. If there are several entities, they are highly specialized – for example, medical, and the candidate wants to leave this industry – then you can not indicate them.

Be sure to talk about your experience, even if it is not related to the new job. Pay attention to those aspects that will be useful in a new field: a candidate who has worked as a developer for many years can apply for a sales manager position in an IT company.

Experience is not always work for money. Add participation in volunteer projects, internships and internships to your resume.

Imagine a candidate who started working in a clothing store as a student and became a regional sales director before graduating from university. Most likely, such an employee has a great potential for development even in a new professional field for him.

Therefore, it is important to present your growth within the company in your resume. Each role does not have to be written in a separate section: they can be listed under the responsibilities and results of the last position held. It is not necessary to write a detailed story, it is better to do it in the format of short abstracts – this is a more suitable option for a resume.

If the applicant “grabs everything on the fly” and “learns quickly”, you definitely need to talk about it. Best of all with evidence: “was a member of the student council and organized festive events”, “received gratitude from the dean of the faculty for …”, “became the best employee of the branch according to the results of the half year”, and so on.

Match the job requirements with your knowledge and competencies. Select exactly those of them that will be useful in a new position. Add them to the “Key Skills” and “About Me” sections.

Pay attention to the final phrase in your resume or cover letter. It is she who ultimately shows that the candidate has an interest in a new field. For example, you can write something like this: “I am focused on personal and professional development in the field of IT, in the near future I plan to take training courses / trainings or get additional higher education on the topic.”

Do not start your letter with the phrase “I have no work experience.” Use positive language:

• “during my studies, I received knowledge from the field…”;
• “I have the personal qualities necessary for this position…”;
• “In my previous job, I gained experience…” and so on.

Pay attention to motivation: tell why you are interested in a particular position in a particular company. Sometimes candidates without experience, but with “burning eyes”, bypass professionals who are tired of work due to motivation.

Experience and work skills in some cases can be assessed without an interview, based on a portfolio. Based on it, the employer will get an idea of ​​the professionalism of designers (web, graphic, landscape, interior, clothing), authors (content, rewriting, copyright), photo and video operators. A person who is familiar with computer layout and has experience in creating websites can start doing printing. Or a long-time journalist always has a chance to retrain as a public relations specialist or press secretary.

Most employers also pay attention to general knowledge and basic skills: communication, presentation, analytical skills of the candidate, regardless of whether he has experience or not.

Testing is a chance to prove yourself. If an employer drew attention to an applicant without relevant experience in the resume and offers to complete a test task, it is worth taking the time to do it. Thus, the candidate will not only demonstrate his skills and knowledge in practice, but will also be able to assess for himself how ready he is to take on this job.

Experienced candidates have to perform test tasks much less frequently. In their case, a portfolio is usually sufficient.

Often those who do not have experience have to start with internships. But we recommend applying for entry-level positions too, especially if your resume already has work experience in another specialty. Act confidently and persistently: everything will work out!

For those who still doubt themselves, we have compiled

resume template

with examples and useful formulations. Experts of the Ready Resume service can compile this for you: HR specialists will conduct an interview and prepare a document suitable for your career plans.

I want a finished resume!

How to get a good job without experience – Work.ua

Tips for job seekers

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• Tips for Job Seekers

  Career

To get a job you need experience, but where can you get it if you can’t get a job without it? What to do with this vicious circle? After all, even with a higher education, finding a good job is not easy.

A lot depends on the employer, but it often comes down to a simple principle: the company needs an experienced employee that they want to buy for less. You, in turn, want to sell yourself at a higher price, but you cannot due to lack of experience.

Many begin to combine work and study, but they do not always do it in their specialty. And in the end, you have to choose: continue like this or start from scratch. How to proceed?

Initially, you should accurately determine the field of activity and look for appropriate vacancies. It is advisable to choose large companies, which many beginners are afraid of. However, a large company is a large mechanism in which you will not necessarily be required to have extensive knowledge and experience. Within the department you will be able to learn by doing, there will be people who can help you. A small company, say, of 10 employees, needs specialists who will be able to fully fulfill their duties from the first day, and often the success of the company itself will depend on this.

Also in large companies staff changes faster due to their number, so it is much easier to find an open vacancy. They are growing faster and need new staff, some large companies “grow” specialists for themselves, take people on paid internships.

It often happens that you manage to get a job that is not the one you expected. But having gained experience, you may be able to get the desired position in the future. The main thing is the desire to work and grow.

If you don’t know something and don’t have the necessary skills, don’t be afraid to talk about it. In the process of work, you will be able to master everything, and lies will only get in your way.

To gain experience, sometimes you have to step over yourself and work for low wages or even for free. Do not immediately reject such options, consider them as an investment in yourself. Start as an assistant or handyman and work your way up.

There are actually more companies and opportunities than you might think.