Struggling to Crack the Code? Unveiling the Secrets to Land Your Dream Job (Part 1)
I don’t want to seem like I’m tooting my own horn, but I have a 100% success rate with all my job applications to date and today, I will share my tactic to help you land your dream job as well! After a pretty bad first experience sitting an internship interview, I told myself, never again, next time I’ll be more prepared.
It was an interview with a panel of 3 members, one who sat oddly too close to me and pulled out her phone during the interview. Completely unprofessional, I know. I heard afterwards that this was a tactic they used to purposely distract applicants. I was only 22 years old, and this was my first interview, how was I supposed to know?
I grew up in a sheltered family and I’ve never had to work until I finished university. In a way, I should count myself lucky but at the same time, I felt this held me back in life. I did not realise this until I was one of the few university graduates that really struggled to get an internship that year. I scored well in school, so it was a shock to the system, that all of a sudden, I faced challenges excelling the interviews.
Fast forward 16 years, I have never been knocked back from any jobs I’ve applied for. I have moved up the chain to an executive level in multiple organisations. Became a Director of a department at a young age of 31.
I am so good at it, that sometimes I land jobs that I’m not quite skilled for! Which is a bit concerning; but my point being, it’s not what you’ve achieved, but it’s how you present yourself.
So, it’s not about what’s on your resume; you can get away with only meeting half of the criteria and the other half is the way you go about the whole application process.
The interview is only part of that process. What you do before, during and after the interview matters. Trust me, I’ve tried this tactic and have applied over 20 roles and I have nailed. Every. Single. One.
So, let’s discuss the strategic steps you will take to land you that dream job. We will explore this in 2 parts. This post will cover Part 1.
Part 1:
6 Key Factors to Consider When Seeking a Job Opportunity
7 Sources to Explore Job Opportunities
Essential Key Measures to Take Before Submitting a Job Application
9 Etiquette Guidelines for Attaching Your CV and Resume to a Job Ad
Part 2 (coming soon):
- Mastering the Art of Job Interviews: Strategies for Success
- Key Actions to Take After Your Job Interview to Maximise Your Chances of Success
- The Final Steps: Accepting the Role and Skilfully Negotiating Compensation
6 Key Factors to Consider When Seeking a Job Opportunity
The first step to any job pursuit is to embark on a journey of self-assessment. Spend some time to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, capabilities, preferences, goals, and accomplishments. Identify your unique talents and attributes and understand how they can contribute to the success of a potential employer. By assessing your abilities, this will ensure that you are applying for a role that’s appropriate for your skillset and is the right fit. You can do this by:
- Reflecting on past experiences, projects, and accomplishments to gain insights into your strengths.
- Define your professional goals and what you hope to achieve in your career. Consider both short-term and long-term goals. Reflect on the skills you want to develop, the level of responsibility you hope for, and the impact you desire to make.
- Reflect on your personal values and the type of work culture that suits you best. Assess your preferences for team dynamics, management style, and organisational values. This can also include aspects such as whether you need to work certain hours, shifts or whether you can travel for work.
- Identify areas for growth and improvement. Acknowledge any skills or knowledge gaps that may impact your career progression. This self-evaluation will help you determine areas where you can invest in personal and professional growth. By actively addressing these areas, you will enhance your application and increase your chances of landing your dream job.
- Engage in conversations with mentors, peers, and trusted individuals who can provide valuable insights and feedback. Seek constructive criticism regarding your strengths, areas for improvement, and suitability.
- Self-evaluation is an ongoing process as you grow professionally. It is good practice to regularly review and reassess your skills, interests, goals, and values as you progress in your career. As you gain new experiences and insights, your priorities and objectives may evolve. Stay open to self-reflection and adapt your job search accordingly.
7 Sources to Explore Job Opportunities
- Professional Job Opportunity Website and Platforms: LinkedIn (Global), Seek, Indeed, Jora, Career One are all great professional platforms which companies use to post their job advertisements. You can filter to the job requirements that fit your skillset and set a notification so that any new listings are sent to your email. This is a great way to know what is out there. I often do this, even when I’m in a stable job as I like to know the opportunities that are available on the market.
- Company Websites: Companies often advertise their job openings on their own websites. They are usually located on the career or jobs section of their website. Regularly check these to view their current vacancies.
- Professional Networking Platforms: LinkedIn is a great place to connect with professionals in your desired industry. Your LinkedIn profile is essentially a “live resume” in which recruiters can assess to see whether you are fit for any vacancies they may have. You can also search for job postings that fit your resume. Most of the roles I’ve been approached for are by recruiters or company managers on LinkedIn.
- Networking and Professional Associations: This is a big one. When I leave a workplace, I always make a conscious effort to keep in touch with the staff there. Every year, I send out Christmas cards to my previous managers. This may seem over the top but has immensely assisted with my professional growth. To this day, I still get emails and text messages about job openings from prior workplaces. I also attend conferences and make a conscious effort to stop and introduce myself to other people, the more people you know in the industry, the better it’ll be to land your dream job at the salary you want.
- Recruitment Agencies: You could consider registering with recruitment agencies that specialise in your field or industry. These agencies have access to job opportunities and can help match your skillset and experience with suitable positions.
- Company Referrals: This is another big one, but it’ll depend on the personality type of your manager. If I’m looking for a role, I often let my manager know. This is usually when I get to the 4-to-5-year mark, when it has become obvious that I’ve learnt everything I possibly can from the role. Ask them as part of your performance review, what other positions in the company are available. Highlight your goals and what you wish to achieve. I’ve had managers who did not have any vacancies from within the company and have sent me job listings from their professional contacts from other companies.
- Job Fairs, Conferences or Events: by attending these within your professional area, you can network with potential employers, you can learn about the job openings and make an impression face to face. This will position you very well in the event it leads to a job interview.
Essential Key Measures to Take Before Submitting a Job Application
There are 2 things I always do before I submit a job application. Not only am I trying to position myself well to be shortlisted for an interview, but I want to check that the position I’m applying for is the right role for me.
Is it a good environment to work in?
Is the manager for that area good to work under?
These are the types of questions I would like to know and to do this, I execute the following 2 things:
Find a contact from within the company
Do you know someone from within the organisation that you can contact? If you don’t, you can always use LinkedIn to send an email to a current employee. Contacting an employee allows you to gain valuable insights into the company culture, working environment, and the values and expectations.
By establishing this connection, you can also demonstrate in your interview that you have proactively sought to understand what it’s truly like to work there. This firsthand knowledge not only showcases your genuine interest and dedication but also provides you with a competitive advantage, as you can align your responses and demonstrate your understanding of the organisation’s values and dynamics. I can guarantee you this will help you land your dream job. Networking within the company demonstrates your initiative and commitment to making informed career choices, positioning you as a well-prepared and enthusiastic candidate.
Call the hiring manager/manager of that area before you apply
Calling the hiring manager or area manager before applying for a job interview can be a proactive approach to make a lasting impression. It’s basically leading them onto the right path to keep watch for your application. By taking the initiative to reach out, you demonstrate your genuine interest in the position and highlight your attention to detail. When contacting the manager, focus on asking two insightful questions directly related to the position description.
This approach showcases your dedication and shows that you have invested time in understanding the role and its requirements. Not only does it set you apart as a candidate, but it also conveys your enthusiasm and commitment to making a meaningful contribution to the organisation. By initiating this conversation, you establish yourself as a proactive and engaged candidate, leaving a positive and lasting impression on the manager.
Here are some examples of questions to ask:
- “I noticed in the job description that the role requires strong project management skills. Can you provide more details about the typical scale and complexity of projects I would be handling in this position?”
- “The position description mentions the need for proficiency in a certain software or technology. Could you please elaborate on how extensively that tool is utilized within the team and the level of expertise expected?”
- “The job posting emphasizes the importance of collaboration and teamwork. Can you provide examples of how cross-functional collaboration is encouraged within the department and how team dynamics contribute to the overall success of projects?”
- “I saw that the role involves patient interaction. Could you please describe the level of patient engagement and typical responsibilities related to managing patient relationships?”
- “The position requires strong analytical skills. Can you provide more information on the type of data analysis and reporting I would be involved in, and the tools or software typically used for this purpose?”
Remember to tailor your questions to the position description to showcase that you have read the role. Your attentiveness and genuine interest in understanding the role will help you land your dream job. The inquiries will also allow you to gather relevant information that will help you assess your fit within the organisation.
9 Etiquette Guidelines for Attaching Your CV and Resume to a Job Ad
When attaching your CV and resume to a job ad, it’s essential to follow certain guidelines to ensure that your application is professional and accessible. Here are some basic rules that you need to consider:
- Use PDF not Word: Always convert your CV and resume to PDF format before attaching them to the application. PDF ensures that your documents retain their formatting and appearance across different devices and operating systems. With the increase use of mobile or iPad devices, formatting doesn’t always display as intended on a smaller screen.
- Choose a Clear File Name: Use a clear and concise file name for your attachments, such as “FirstNameLastNameCV.pdf” or “FirstNameLastNameResume.pdf.” This helps the hiring manager easily identify your documents.
- File Size of Documents: Compress your PDF files to ensure a reasonable file size. Large file sizes may be difficult to upload or download, so optimize your documents without compromising their quality.
- Photos in Resumes: There is 2 sides to the argument for this one. By adding your picture, it allows the recruiter to put a face to the name. However, we live in a society where judgement is often made based on first impressions, and in my opinion, this is better done with a conversation as well. It’s sort of like reading a text message from someone you have never met before and you’re not quite sure of the tone the message is set as.
- Include Contact Information: Make sure your contact information, including your full name, phone number, and email address, is clearly visible on both your CV and resume. This ensures that the hiring manager can easily reach out to you for further communication.
- Check Compatibility: Before attaching your documents ensure that the employers accept your file formats and file size. Almost all companies nowadays will accept Word and PDF files.
- Proofread and Review: Double-check your CV and resume for any errors, typos, or formatting issues before attaching them. Ensure that all information is accurate, up to date, and relevant for the job that you’re applying for.
- Follow Application Instructions: Always adhere to the specific instructions provided by the employer. Some will have specific requirements or preferences regarding document format or file attachments. Pay attention to any instructions mentioned and comply accordingly.
- Always Add a Cover Letter: I have worked in organisation where I’ve recruited Senior Medical Staff and it surprises me that despite being highly intelligent people, some did not know that a Cover Letter is mandatory in a job application. A Cover Letter is like an “elevator pitch”, a summary of your accomplishments and why you want to land your dream job. Always add a cover letter to support your resume, making sure that it addresses the requirements of the role listed in the position description.
By following these basic rules, you’ll present your CV and resume in a professional and consistent manner, increasing your chances of making a positive impression on potential employers.
What are some of your tips for landing your dream job?
Do you find these tips useful? What would you do differently?
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will explore:
- Mastering the Art of Job Interviews: Strategies for Success
- Key Actions to Take After Your Job Interview to Maximise Your Chances of Success
- The Final Steps: Accepting the Role and Skilfully Negotiating Compensation
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.