Stand out (for all the right reasons)
Competition for the best jobs is fierce. Employers can afford to be extremely picky. So if you (or your CV/application) don’t make as good an impression as the next person, you might not land your dream role. And it can be the smallest things that swing a decision your way, or not.
So we’ve put together a selection of must haves to help you get one step ahead of the competition.
In general…
Be enthusiastic.
Show that you really want to do this job in this company. Demonstrate you’ve done your research into the position and employer.
Be specific.
Make sure that your CV is tailored to the role you apply for. General CVs get a general response (and it’s not usually a good one). But by tailoring your CV you can clearly demonstrate you have exactly the skills and experience the employer is seeking.
Be honest.
If there are anomalies or gaps in your CV, explain them. Don’t hide them. Turn them into positives by mentioning what new experiences or skills you learned from these situations. Soft skills…
Be positive.
First on the list of things an employer wants to see is a can do attitude. Be committed. Whether it’s with your academic achievements or in another job, make sure that you show a future employer that you’ve got real dedication and commitment to the cause.
Be astute.
Don’t underestimate the importance of using evidence to show how commercially savvy you are. By doing so, you’ll make sure the employer knows quite how much potential you have in your business brain.
Be approachable.
Even if you’re the most qualified person for the job, if you fail to show that you’ve got great interpersonal skills, you probably won’t get the job. An employer will be looking to make sure you’ve got the personal skills to slot right into different teams and hit the ground running.
Be different.
Employers like people who have gone the extra step, so use your extra-curricular activities to show evidence of leadership and entrepreneurial drive. Hard skills… Be impressive. Make sure you have a bank of excellent academics and relevant work experience to draw upon.