The subtle art of getting a fricking job!

Are you struggling at the moment where previously and normally you get snapped up and with no issues getting a new position?

We all know it’s been a horrible market for the last couple of years, but as I said in my last post, things do seem to be on the turn.

But lets talk about what you are doing and can you improve your chances by optimizing your job hunt?

My favourite phrase seems to be “back to basics” so let’s start there.

• CV – Get some fresh eyes on it. Is it a 9 out of 10 CV? If not, let’s work on it. Average isn’t cutting it at the moment. Check out our website on how write a great technical CV.
  • It’s got to look good and read well
  • Not too long – but it doesn’t have to be 1 or 2 pages – but not over 4
  • Focus on skills as well as jobs
• Linked in – As soon as you’ve optimised your CV – mirror it on linked in. You will DEFINITELY be checked out on linked in. So, no discrepancies – warm, approachable photo – get some referrals on there!
• Location – Do people know where you are? This blows my mind. The amount of CVs with no location and recruiters are expected to research where the hell you live.
  NO!! Rejected
  Get it on there and state if you will relocate or only want remote (but trust me, those jobs are on the decline).
• Cover Letter – A short, personalized cover letter which is clearly aimed at this specific position is well worth the effort. They don’t always get read, but now and again….
• Tailor your CV to each position – the amount of times we hear, “I have done that but it’s not on my CV”. If I need serious amount of VMWare for my position, I need to see it. Not just in a skills section, but in the positions you used it and in what capacity.
  • Same for Job Title. Is your job title different but the jobs the same? If they need a .net Developer and your CV has you as a Software Developer, consider changing it to match – providing it’s accurate. AI and less experienced non-technical vetters will be doing “word searches” and rejecting accordingly.
• Apply early and follow up – Because of the volume of candidates applying, you need to get in there quickly. Don’t be put of by the numbers of applicants – most of them are totally unsuitable. But to get through the noise, apply early, and follow up.

When someone phones here, if they sound great on the phone and say something like “I’ve just applied for this position and I think I’m a great match because ……”. I go and dig there CV out of the hundreds and check them out there and then.

RECRUITERS WANT TO FIND GREAT CANDIDATES LIKE YOU. SO HELP THEM FIND YOU. (but only if you are a great candidate – we don’t want to hear from the hundreds that live 100 miles away or haven’t ever worked in Data Science but I’m sure I could….. NO!)

• Perfect the Virtual Interview – As with the CV, average isn’t cutting it. You have to get this right! Smart appearance and smart background. Good lighting. Obviously, camera on – and test it’s working beforehand.

It’s one of those subjects that could go on and on so I might add another. But just have a think about how you can elevate your presence to vetters from average to exceptional – ie 9/10. Even small changes can make the difference.