Important Steps to Take before Applying for a New Job
If you are in the process of looking for a new job, there is a lot that needs to be considered. After all, your new job needs to be right for you. We often focus on making sure we fulfill the criteria presented in the job description, but we also need to ask ourselves: is the job the right fit? This needs just as much consideration. You are going to spend the vast majority of your life working, and so it is important that you are happy. Not only this, but you are going to struggle to give your all and progress up the career ladder if you aren’t suited to the role in question. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the important steps you need to take before applying for a new job:
Be honest with yourself
When reading a job description, you need to be honest with yourself. Do you have the skills they are asking for? If not, there is nothing wrong with this. Everyone is wired differently and brings different characteristics and skills to the table. This could simply be a sign that the job in question is not right for you. Or, if you feel strongly that you want the said job, yet you don’t feel qualified, it could be an indication that now is a good time to progress your training. Take a course so that you have the necessary skills and qualifications should a similar opportunity come up in the future.
Clean up your social media profile
You don’t need us to tell you the importance of having a winning CV and cover letter if you are going to apply for a new job. However, you also need to ensure that your social media profiles are professional too. Most employers will check out applicants on social media. You need to ensure your Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages present an image that you are comfortable with your potential future boss seeing.
Read reviews
Nowadays, there are websites like Glassdoor that enable you to read reviews that have been left by people that currently work for the company or have worked for the company before. These comments can be incredibly insightful. You will get a real feel for what everyday life is like at the company in question. Of course, you can expect positive and negative reviews; not everyone has the best experience at all of the places they have worked at. It is important to consider the reviews on the whole, rather than letting one strong review sway your decision. After all, the ex-employee could be the reason why they have hated their job so much. The key to reading these reviews is to get a good idea regarding what your days will be like at the company. Are the rest of the employees friendly? Are the bosses considerate?
List your interests, skills, and strengths
Finally, before you begin your job search and start applying for vacancies, you should make a list of all of your strengths, skills, and interests. Now is the perfect time to get a good understanding of what your main qualities are. This will help you to target your search better and find a role that is perfect for you.
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