5 Tips When Applying to New Roles

5 Tips for Applying For a New Job Opportunity

Times have certainly changed. Many people across the world find themselves in a position they may have never been. Below are 5 steps to help you in your search for a new job opportunity:

Create a plan – This plan could consist of many subsets. Number of jobs applied to per day, number of connections with hiring managers on LinkedIn, amount of time spent applying to new positions, editing your resume to tailor a specific job for best possible results, etc. These are just a few of the things to consider when creating your plan for finding a new job during this time. Having a plan is essential to stay focused, committed and on task.

Stick to your plan – Try your absolute hardest to keep to your plan on a daily basis. If you have several interviews lined up, do not take your foot off of the gas. Continue to seek out potential opportunities until your first day at your new job.

Time management – Treat this process as if it were job itself. Set a timeframe for each section of your plan. For example:

9:00am-10:00am – Source for new job openings
10:00am-11:00am – Apply to new postings
11:00am-12:00pm – Send LinkedIn connections/messages to hiring managers
12:00pm-1:00pm – Break/Lunch
1:00pm-2:00pm – Source for new job openings on a different job board
2:00pm-3:00pm – Tailor resume to new positions
3:00pm-4:00pm – Apply to new postings

Numbers Game – Keep track of number of jobs and which jobs you applied to during this process- you may hear from a recruiter weeks or months after you have applied. Typically, you will receive an automated e-mail from the company letting you know that you have successfully applied to the job opening. Keep these receipts in an e-mail folder for quick reference and follow up guide – a spreadsheet is a great way to track the status and information of the jobs you have applied for.

Stay positive – Try to look at the bright side of the process and have a positive demeanor. Your optimism will be able to be seen during face-to-face interviews and heard in your voice on phone interviews. – Ready to prepare for your interview? Check out our blog on Crushing your HR/Manager Interview!

Crushing Your Virtual Interview!

Can you crush it? Can you be just as successful interviewing in front of your computer as onsite in an office? What will set you apart from other candidates? What do you see as an obstacle to your best remote interview?

Virtual Interviews are here to stay…at least for a while.

Candidates are still expected to put their best face forward during the interview process, initial phone calls, and virtual interviews.

Dress for Success:

Dress as if you were meeting the interviewer in their office. Put on your favorite work outfit, this will increase your confidence right from the start.

Know Your Location:

Prior to your interview, determine where you are going to sit. Which room/area in your house has the least distractions? Clear your space and background to avoid distracting items in view for both you and the interviewer. Make sure you have a pen and notepad nearby to write down questions or information easily. Do not sit in front of a window as this creates a very dark image on the screen.

Test Your Video:

Perform an audio/video/wifi test prior to interview time. Make sure your connection is working. Seeing yourself on video will also allow you to make adjustments to your background and location prior to meeting with the interviewer.

Prepare

Take your time. Just because the interview is remote does not mean you have to rush. Interviewers still want strong answers that tell them who you are and the type of worker you are. Elaborate and make sure to answer the original question.

Have questions prepared to ask the manager about the  position or the company, this further demonstrates your interest in the role. I am always encouraged by candidates that ask me questions during the interview.

Show Your Personality

Show your personality the best you can by sharing examples, acting naturally, or wearing your favorite outfit. Smile, laugh, be your professional self; this will evoke your confidence and let you shine.

Body Posture/Body Movements:

This is a real interview and the person sitting in front of you is still spending valuable time with you, so make it count. Sit up straight in your chair, look directly into the screen. Try to limit sipping water bottles or coffee, an occasional sip is fine. One final tip, we can see your furry friends, but we are not interviewing them too 😊.

Remember: We are all human

Our current world is ever changing, but we are all humans working together to get through the global crisis. Be honest if something comes up and you need to change the date/time. Contact your recruiter right away, if you are having difficulty getting connected to the interview and have additional contact information ready. Need a minute to gather yourself- just ask. We all want a successful, positive interview experience.

Still feeling unsure. Reach out to your recruiter- they will be happy to give you a pep talk and tips on impressing the manager!