Improve Your Chances of Landing Your Dream Job

Decided to switch from a job that keeps the lights on to a career that you’re passionate about? No matter what industry your passion lies in, being prepared is the first and most important step to landing a job. Obtaining the job of your dreams might seem nearly impossible, but you’d be surprised at how far forethought and preparedness can get you. Below are a few tips to get you started.

A Professional Cover Letter and Resume

While having a professional cover letter and resume might seem like a no-brainer, there are a ton of job seekers that haphazardly throw something together with the hopes of landing a job. What must be understood is that your cover letter and resume are the first representations of you. They are what potential employers will view first. You have to ask yourself what you want them to see.

• Cover Letter – You want your cover letter to serve as a pitch to potential employers. It should tell a bit about who you are and why you are better for the job than other candidates. Your cover letter should sell potential employers on the idea of scheduling an interview with you – it should encourage them to want to learn more. Using a cover letter guide can help you to format your letter correctly and ensure that you’ve input information that will reflect positively on your professionalism.
• Resume – Your resume should clearly show your professional experience, educational experience, charitable acts, and professional/academic achievements. It is imperative that you only include relevant information and highlight skills and abilities that will help you land your dream job. Resume builders can help you incorporate all of your past experience into a brief, yet engaging resume.

A Killer Interview

The next step in landing your dream job is getting through the interview process. From the moment you answer the phone to accept the interview up until the moment a candidate is chosen for the position, you must have a calculated strategy on how to make a great impression.

• Research the Company – You should never go into an interview blind. Take a few minutes the night before to research the company you’re interviewing with. What are some of their achievements? Do you have an understanding of what they do? You never know when an employer might ask you if you’ve checked out their information so make sure that you can answer correctly.
• Have Questions – An interview is not just a moment for an employer to see if they want you to work for them, it is also an opportunity for you to see if you want to work for them. That being said, be sure that you have questions in mind to ask the interviewer. Questions about their managing style, business practices, employee incentives, and more let them know that you’re not interested in a job but are looking for a career with a company you can stay with for a while.
• Dress the Part – It is important that you pay attention to what you wear to an interview. Dressing to boldly or unprofessionally could cost you the job – no matter how great your skills might be. Do a little research to find out what you should wear. You should also consider the type of career you’re after. If you’re looking to work as an executive assistant, you don’t want to wear a sundress to an interview – instead, you might wear a business suit.

Choosing a career path that is right for you and landing a dream job can take some time. To speed up the process and stand out from other applicants, it is important that you plan ahead.

Polished resumes and cover letters, as well as a great interview, can certainly put you at the top of the list.