It’s extremely easy to apply for postings on mass – but the HR department or recruitment consultant reading your application can read between the lines. Why should they hire you if you haven’t made the effort to fully reference the role or company within your application?

Research and mention interesting facts about the company within your application and why they resonate with you.

Add value to your CV and application by reading each Skill, attribute and any additional requirements of the role. Explain why each of these attributes make you an asset to the company. Saying you’re an enthusiastic hard worker says nothing about your skill set so referencing them within your application is a sure fire way to make you stand out from the crowd.

Landing That Job! How To Put Together A Killer CV

8 Common Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid​

It’s important to have realistic expectations when applying for the role. But have you considered your previous work history and feel convinced you have the capacity and motivation to learn new skills for a role?

If you have transferrable skills, let’s say in analytics – this skill can be applied to research and data based roles. Utilise your skill set and sell them to the hiring manager.

Convince the hiring manager that your shortfall is made up for in other skills you possess – showing your willingness to learn a new piece of software is often more than enough if you have other attributes you can bring to the role.

5 Ways To Get A Job When You Think You Have No Experience​

If your profile photo on Facebook is of you boozed up on the beach, we highly suggest you change it, seriously. Hiring managers and HR departments are very likely to look you up on the internet and audit your social media to see if you are a right fit.

Make your profile photo simple – you don’t need to wear a full suit, a simple headshot is enough to suffice.

Don’t worry about including friends on personal social media, so long as it’s not indecent then you won’t give a bad impression.

Beginners Guide to Online Presence​

There is nothing wrong with picking up the phone in the first instance to make an initial enquiry and jot down details of a role you’re interested in, especially if you are keen on finding out more that the job post doesn’t mention online.

Introducing yourself and showing keenness over the phone can work wonders for remembrance and first impressions, however be extremely wary of the questions you ask and how you ask them – you definitely do not want to give a bad impression.

Rehearse what you’d like to ask before you ring them. Also keep in mind the time of day.

Do you have a friend that works in your preferred industry?

Ask them how they got started up, and if they’re a great friend – ask for contact details to get your foot in the door.

If you already have a LinkedIn profile, why not send InMail to your existing connections to see if their firm is hiring? Remember – professionalism is key here.

Did you intern or volunteer in the past? Send a catch up email and ask if they have any vacancies going. You’re very likely to get a lead if you left previous work experience on a high.

Effective Networking Apps​

There’s a lot to weigh up here – your finances, travel and personal aspirations.

Ask yourself if the salary being advertised is enough for you to live on – do you think you’d resent your choices in the future?

Is travel to the company’s location feasible?

Will travel time chip away at your personal life and hobbies?

8 Criteria For Evaluating A Job Offer​

It’s very common to change your career after University. It's an accessible option for those who have graduated and have experienced a change of heart.

Leading back to the point of lack of experience - look through your skill set and see if they're transferable to another industry.

Ask yourself if you are willing to go for a role with a pay cut to get the role you desire. Sometime sacrifices have to be made, especially if it will eventually lead to your dream role.

How I Found A New Identity After College​

Your absolute dream graduate role might be at a successful law firm. You apply, but to your avail do not receive a response.

Consider SMEs (smaller to medium-sized companies) to improve on your skills before applying for the top dogs. These companies may even surprise you; it could be the dream job in disguise!

SMEs offer a deeper insight into the processes in the company and allow you to see how each and every single one works. Larger firms are likely to stick you in a more ‘refined’ role where you are bound to being responsible for only 1 or 2 things. Having the insight from an SME can open your eyes to your desired industry and teach you how everything works.

To Big Company or To Small Company?​

Why did you study an English Degree yet you’re wanting to break into Engineering?

So you managed to get that interview for your dream job – don’t let yourself down by showing you’re tired for that 9am interview or half heartedly explain why you’re a fit for the company.

If there’s a skill you absolutely shine at and is imperative to the role – sell it and sell it well!

If it was pouring it down on your way to the interview and it’s left you in a sour mood – fake a positive mood for the duration of the interview to show that against all odds you are eager and happy to be meeting your hiring manager. Negativity and complaints will only make you appear sour in front of them.

Once you’ve sent your applications to you dream jobs – it’s a waiting game from here on out, but don’t let that stop you from using the waiting time wisely.

If your degree has room for work on a freelance basis – use this opportunity to not only make some extra cash but hone in on your skills – who knows, you might even kick off a successful business!

If your role requires a certain attribute that you might lack, why not seek work experience to gain this skill, which in turn can be added to your skill set?

Learn something entirely new with an internship and discover an area in your industry that might open more doors for you.

4 Ways I Stay Positive While Waiting To Hear Back After An Interview​

You will get rejection no doubt. Do not take things personally, if you know you have a good skill set and degree (of any grade) under your belt then you should be proud you accomplished and acquired the skills you have thus far.

Find out why you were rejected, that way you can incorporate this knowledge into your next application to increase your chances of success.

Don’t take rejections personally. If you’re following this guide to a ‘T’, wrote killer applications or did your absolute best at your interviews, then reassure yourself you have done everything you can and move on to the next application.

Remind yourself that a rejection is not the end. Employers look for things that we will never know. Just because you don’t have said attribute that doesn’t make you any less qualified than the next applicant.