Having difficulty finding your next job? Here are 14 things you can do to help you get hired.
Looking for a new role can be a daunting experience. You will face numerous setbacks and be knocked back numerous times.
It’s therefore crucial to do everything you canto maximise your chances of receiving that seemingly elusive job offer.
We asked around the office for a few things that help candidates stand out – below are some tips that might help set you apart from the competition.
1) Do your research – don’t be a dreamer!
Applying for a role that’s not a good fit for you is not a smart move. Eg: Donald Trump, American President. Oh hang on…Read the job advertisement carefully and if you don’t fulfill the criteria, don’t apply. If you constantly apply to every job you see, you might be seen as an unreliable “dreamer” candidate resulting in a mark against you on a database.
Instead, research the agency you’re applying through and try to partner with the most suitable  consultant in your sector – link in with them for example. . You also need to research the organisation that you are applying to, if you know it, ensuring that the company values and ethos fit with yours. For example, if you’re Arlene Foster at the DUP, maybe the  Head of Comms role at Durex is one to avoid.
2) Create your own search strategy – and don’t blame others!
Sadly, finding a new role is your responsibility and not a recruiter’s. It’s important to treat people with respect and be accountable for your own future rather than relying on others. To compete with the masses that are also seeking a new job role, you need to be smart. Develop an approach that is methodical and professional. Set yourself goals, with a schedule, and work on it constantly. If you put all of your eggs in one basket and think that you’re going to get the first job you apply for, then you’re likely to be disappointed. Treat job hunting like night school where you do a few hours a day and you won’t go far wrong.
3) Perfect your CV
To state the blindingly obvious (but often forgotten), your curriculum vitae (CV) is an important part of the job application, as it’s the first chance you have to impress a recruitment consultant and your potential employer. A good CV will increase your chances of a face-to-face interview considerably, so it’s worth putting in the time to make sure that all of your experience is highlighted to match the role you’re applying for.
List your achievements in a way that whoever reading it will find meaningful and use keywords to stand more of a chance of getting picked up by someone quickly scanning it or searching a database looking for buzzwords. It’s also imperative that your grammar and spelling is perfect, as a simple spelling mistake may show that you do not possess adequate attention to detail. This is one pane in your shop window – make sure it’s clean.
4) Include a cover letter
You wouldn’t create a Tinder profile without a description (unless you’re smoking hot but boring), so don’t apply without a cover letter. A cover letter is a critical component to get you noticed. It is an opportunity to display your professional history and explain your greatest achievements. Cover letters have a different effect than CVs. This is where your experiences can come to life and hint at your personality. It’s a chance to showcase your interpersonal skills, highlighting your strengths and showing you’re serious about the opportunity. Going the extra mile and writing a cover letter can set you apart from other applicants who have overlooked the importance of the supporting document or those who are just plain lazy.
5) Update your Linkedin profile
Your LinkedIn profile can be as important as your CV when it comes to applying for a job. Having insufficient details, or ones which are out of date, will set you far down the pecking order in the list of best candidates for the job. Instead, It’s important to have all of the details of your roles included. When applying for a role directly on LinkedIn, it’s important to include all of your contact details and requirements for your anticipated role. If there are any career gaps, give a clear explanation, likewise if you’ve changed roles frequently. If you’re good at what you do, make sure you have a number of testimonials featured on your page to show others.
6) Have reasonable salary expectations – no avocadoes for you
We all want our dream job, with a six figure salary, with all the benefits. Newsflash: it does not exist. It is therefore important to have realistic expectations, unlike say Jeremy Hunt with regards to the NHS. Your salary will reflect your experience and work ethic. So, if you’re a graduate, straight out of university with no experience, it is unlikely you will enjoy the £45k salary you were hoping for. As sure as day, you will need to work your way up and the way to do this is to be realistic, beginning with an entry level role, on an entry level salary, eating baked beans on toast.\

7) Be aware of your image
When applying for a role, it’s more than likely that your social media profiles will be searched. As this is the case, you need to be aware of your personal brand. For example, whinging about your lack of success on LinkedIn or using inappropriate language on Twitter can have a negative impact on the way others respond to you.
If you have a wild social life (as we all once did!), it may be an idea to look into making your social media pages private so that they are not as easy to access. If not, you should do everything you can to make yourself look attractive to potential employers. Whether it’s deleting those drunken images or removing offensive posts it’s important to give off a good impression.

8) Get a sensible email address
It’s quite possible that the first impression you make will be through your email address. ‘TomDisgreat89@hotmail.com’ may have sparked conversation at university, however, it’s unlikely to do you any favours now. Set up a separate account for job applications, with a professional email address. It’s a small detail that may be overlooked but could ultimately prevent you from getting the job you want as you’re not likely to be taken as seriously.

9) Prepare for the interview – and prepare for curveballs!
Good preparation is essential for a successful interview. Be prepared for common questions, with answers up your sleeve that display your drive and determination. Although you’re aware of your own experience, an oddball question could throw you off balance and make you appear unqualified. Rehearsing answers that are likely to arise will avoid any uncomfortable scenarios.
It’s’ important to know who you’re talking to and research of those interviewing you and the company itself is a must. Check the organisation’s social media accounts and websites to gain information. It may also be an idea to check to see if they’ve been in the news. It also goes without saying, look the part and know where you’re going. If you’re late, you won’t be considered.
10) Stop calling. No seriously, stop calling.
Some jobs get 100s of applications. A recruitment consultant therefore has to spend a long time going through them all, then put the best forward. Because of this, it’s unlikely they can go back to everyone to tell them it’s a no this time, let alone give individual feedback. Which only makes calls asking if them for this tailored feedback, time consuming, annoying and  most of all unlikely. If they want to get in touch with you, they will. So stay optimistic in applying for new roles and avoid frantic calls to consultants. You wouldn’t repeatedly call someone you fancied – unless you wanted a restraining order – so don’t do it here.
11) Be super positive!!!!
Looking for a new role can be a difficult process, especially as you may receive a number of declines. It’s important to soldier on and stay hopeful. If you have the right skills and passion you will eventually find a suitable role. What would Forrest Gump do?
It’s easy to become fixated on one position and only anticipate your desired outcome. However, things don’t always go your way – just take David Davis’ EU divorce bill. Keep a track of all of your applications and if you haven’t heard back, simply move on to the next application – persistence is key! Just like approaching someone that you find attractive in a bar, if they don’t go for your line don’t keep saying it, move onto the next one.

12) Manners makyth man (and woman)?
Minding your manners is not just for kids. It carries more weight in the professional world as it’s important to be polite in both the interview and on the job. If you’ve made it to the interview process, it means your skills and experience are enough to fill the position and they now want to see if your personality fits with the company culture. With this in mind, it’s important to share a glimpse of your personality with the interviewers and show them that you’re easy to get along with and would be a good addition to the team.  Think James May, rather than Jeremy Clarkson.

13) Be inquisitive about the role and company
There are numerous personal factors that make a good employee. Relentless curiosity indicates that you want to learn to do things differently and indicates your drive and determination. It also shows that you have a real interest in the role / company and don’t just view it as another job or a stepping stone. Therefore, it’s important to prepare questions to ask the interviewers to display your inquisitive nature. Showcasing your curiosity also indicates huge potential, as people like Branson, Gate and Jobs got to the top by being frustrated with how things currently worked, and wanting to make them better.
14) Be uber flexible on interviewing, calls, meetings
There are often a number of stages when it comes to the interview process, such as an initial telephone call, a potential skype call and first and second face-to-face interviews. Recruitment consultancies and organisations all have different methods, so it’s important to remain flexible and be available. If you’re requested for any of the above steps, it’s important that you’re able to participate at short notice anywhere in the area, otherwise other candidates who are available are more likely to succeed. So if you’re having root canal that day, suck it up and cancel it.