How to get selected in your dream job

You are either over with your studies (for now), or are going to be (very soon). In either case, we know what must be going in your head, with your friends or fellow students flaunting their job offers or the fact that they have so many interviews lined up. It can be a pretty daunting time, with you not knowing the next or the very first step you should take to bag a good, decent pay job preferably in the industry where you see yourself in the next 5 yrs.

Job search process doesn’t have to be as difficult as it seems right now. All you need to do right now is keep your cool and work towards brushing your skills. Main steps for bagging your dream job are:

1. Job listing

With some time left for the last exam of your academic life, take out time to learn about your USPs, you can ask what makes you special from your friends, relatives, professor and anyone who you know will answer you truthfully. Make a list of things that you are good at and things you lack in.

Once you are done with the list, make a list of jobs that complement your skills. E.g. if you like planning in advance, you can opt for analysis jobs etc. once you have a list of jobs that suits your characteristics, search for companies which provides those set of jobs, refine those companies according to your preferred place of work, reviews etc. At this stage, don’t restrict yourself with salary, manpower; go for companies which give you the maximum learning. Comprise the list of both established companies and the start ups.

See how your skills match with the jobs in that company, you can do that by visiting job portals or asking people who work in those fields. Practice on the skills which you think you lack. Take time and help to get good at your near future job.

Don’t call their HR’s or send job enquiries at this stage.

2. Resume writing

In no time you will find yourself passing your CVs all over the internet, relatives, friends, friends of friends and directly to the companies. Now, your friends and relatives know you, but the internet and your future recruiters don’t. CV is that part of the job process which decides how you are going to be projected, whether you get called for an interview and then selected or not depends a lot on your CV.

It’s crucial for you to take out time to research what all you should involve in your resume and how you are planning to make it stand out from the crowd. In your search, you are going to find out multiple formats with each of them saying that they are standard. Know that it doesn’t matter what format you use to that extent as presented by websites, as long as the information given by you is complete and presented in a way that attracts a recruiter’s attention.

3. Resume

Now that you have researched enough on how your resume should look like, what all it should consist of etc. it’s time to actually write a killer resume. Points that should be kept in mind while writing your resume are:

• Use Times New Roman with 12 size
• No matter how appealing pink fragrant sheet looked, use plain white sheet to take a print out of your resume
• Always give printed resumes in place of handwritten
• Have all details presented clearly and concisely in your resume
• Don’t use long statements in your resume, use short understandable sentences
• Avoid using jargons, use language that is easily understandable
• Use correct information
• NEVER forget to add your contact information in your resume

It’s time you make a resume, highlighting these points and focusing on your skills. Remember to flaunt skills according to industries you are applying for. E.g. don’t write talking to people when applying for job in a meditation centre. If you are not very sure of how to write a good resume, use resume services available on the internet, they provide efficient service to make your resume stand out.

4. Cover Letter

You may come across some companies that ask for a cover letter from you. Even if you don’t, it’s only good to attach a cover letter with the resumes that you send over emails. The correct place to attach your cover letter is as the body of your email.

These things should be added in your Cover Letter:

• Title/ Post you are applying for
• Skills that you have related to that job
• Work you have done in those skills
• Your name and contact info.
• If applying for social media: add your social media URL’s twitter handle etc.
• Add LinkedIn URL only if you are active on LinkedIn

Add a cover letter along with your resume even when you have not been asked for one. Your cover letter can easily separate you from rest of the job seekers crowd.

5. Job Application

Now that you have made a resume and cover letter showing your best traits, it’s time you start applying for jobs. There are many options for applying to a job, they are:

• Through job portals (You can try their paid version, it’s very good and you usually end up with a load of jobs in your laps)
• On company’s website
• Through LinkedIn
• Walk ins
• Job fairs
• Calling and asking the HRs for current opening
• Cold mailing HRs
• Referrals
• Follow up with the companies you interned in

Start sending your resumes everywhere; go in job fairs wearing your best dress. Follow up with people/companies whom you had sent your resume. Once you start getting calls, know it’s time to get prepared for the next and last step.

6. Job Interview

Now that you have applied in more than 5 companies (at least), it’s only before time you start getting called for the selection process, which mostly comprises of an interview when applied off campus. Job interview is one of the most crucial steps in any job search process, it’s important to prepare your best before sitting for an interview.

Tips for interview

• Be prepared

For answering any question that can be asked about you, your skills, strengths and weaknesses etc

• Know the company background

Having knowledge of what a company is into, gives you an opportunity to quote mission statements, director’s sayings etc.

• Know the job details of the job you are applying for

Some companies ask to explain the job you are applying for, what you expect etc.

• Be true when answering

Don’t lie or brag, as there is a fair chance that you will get caught.

Say “ I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you” when you don’t know the answer

Don’t try to give wrong or inappropriate answers when you are unsure about the correct reply.

• Tell a story

Starting with what the problem/ project was, how you approached it and what was the solution

• Dress appropriately, follow a strict formal code

Look presentable when going for an interview, it creates the first impression.

• Look at everyone while talking

While answering questions, look at everyone and talk (if there is more than one person taking your interview)

• Smile

It creates a good impression and shows that you are less nervous

• Avoid using big hand gestures

It’s a sign of nervousness

Finding a job although a quick process needs time to brush up skills, get knowledge about every aspect of the job, industry and yourself. If you have not found your dream job yet, it’s okay. Keep your cool and patience, be confident. Placement Preparation Websites like http://a4academics.com/ will also help you in guiding the right and perfect career choice for you. You will end up working somewhere or the other. You can always make your job a dream job.

A professional writer and avid reader, Tripti has been in the writing industry for 2 years now. Her work ranges from articles on property to education and resume writing related advice to professionals.  Resume Samples for Freshers and experienced professionals is a service that provides resume samples to all levels of professionals. The ways to reach her socially are through: https://plus.google.com/u/0/117741932666611947179/posts (her G+ id) and @itripti