5 tips for nailing your job application

Nail your job application with five quick and handy tips on how to get that dream job.

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​Have you found the perfect job you want to apply for? Great! There is plenty of advice out there on what to do next, but here I'll share with you some of my favourite tips.

First things first:

​1. Get your resume up to scratch.
This is so important, and yet so often overlooked. This document is the first thing the employer or recruiter looks at, instantly creating an impression of you―and you haven't even met him or her yet. What does your resume currently say about you? Are you sloppy and average, or professional and brilliant? Your resume should be well written and presented, free of any errors and tailored to the role you're applying for.

​Once you land that job interview (congrats!), consider the following handy hints:

2. Do some research.
Visit the company's website and get up to speed with their current activities and projects. This way, you can tailor your answers to be aligned with their vision and goals. It also shows that you've done your homework, and have an interest in who they are and what they do.

3. ​Arrive early.
Aim to be there 30 minutes early to allow for any unexpected delays you may encounter. You'd get to the airport early to make sure you don't miss the flight for your amazing holiday destination, right? So why wouldn't you do the same for a potentially life-changing job? Also consider getting an Uber instead of catching public transport―it's faster and more reliable.

4. Know your key strengths.
Almost all interviewers ask candidates what their strengths are. Work out what you excel at, what you're proud of, and what you are known to deliver consistently and successfully. Similarly, work out your weaknesses―and find ways to turn them into positives or areas of improvement. For instance: "I tend to be a perfectionist and very detail-oriented, and sometimes I can get bogged down by the smaller details." (You can add an example here.) "I have since learnt to find a balance between being good and perfect, and being timely."

5. Be yourself.
There's no point in pretending to be someone you're not. Ultimately, your interviewers may be people you end up working with, and if you don't gel with each other, then so be it (and better you know that now rather than later down the track). Let your true self shine through without fear or expectations, and your interviewer will pick up on your natural, relaxed and positive vibe.

​Now go and nail that dream job!
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Would you like to have a resume that reads and looks amazing, and can send you to the top of the candidate list? I can help! Visit stellawrites.net for more info on my resume writing and design services!

Author
Stella Logan is a freelance Australian copywriter and resume writer, dedicated to helping people secure the job of their dreams.

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