5 Surefire Ways to Be the Right Candidate
Getting a job is now harder than it ever was. Even with all the necessary certification, candidates are finding it hard to get into their dream careers. This is mostly because graduates are increasing in number, and most of their jobs are limited. That is actually why many people are resorting to starting their own businesses. That said, it is not impossible to get a job, even in these difficult financial times. All you need to do is understand how you can be the right candidate for the job you desire. Here are five surefire ways to be the right candidate.
Apply for the Position that Suits your Qualifications and Level of Experience
People often make the mistake of going for jobs that pay excessively well, even though they would not benefit at all in the said positions. The problem is that your employer is likely to see through this, and because better qualified people are applying, you will have a very slim chance of getting employed.
Ideally, you should go for the best position for your qualifications and experience. Your interviewer will also be more confident in you if you demonstrate an understanding of the expectations of someone in the position you applied for. Also, you should keep in mind that asking about the salary during an interview is still considered a taboo question. The best thing to do is consult an online salary guide. For example, if you have a Major in Finances and you’re looking for a career in this field you should know that there are many jobs out there for you that have different job descriptions and pay accordingly. Knowing that a financial analyst entry level salary is higher than a financial advisors’ can put you in a position of making an educated decision regarding your career.
If you don’t have enough experience, it might be better for you to get an internship. That way, when you apply for a job, ensure to back up your claims with proof from your past experiences in the field. Also, make sure you don’t come off as arrogant since no one wants to work with a proud person. A humble but confident confirmation of your capacity to fill the role will suffice.
Get Relevant Education and Certification
The first thing employers look for when eliminating applicants is educational certificates. Although the right papers do not mean you will be the best candidate, it shows that you are familiar with the industry. Companies usually offer education and training to new employees, but the applicants need to have a background to build on.
Getting the proper papers does not necessarily require you to go to expensive universities and colleges. Many times, you will find respectable certificates that are offered for a short period. For example, IT courses can be completed in months without having to attend a university.
That being said, you have to check the requirements for the job you are applying for. In case they require a degree in the field, you might have to wait for another opportunity.
Build your Soft Skills
Technical skills are not enough to get a job in the modern workplace. Competition is at an all-time high, and employers want to work with people who are sociable and have the proper soft skills. This is especially important for people who are not among the best talent in the industry. The final elimination of applicants is usually based on soft skills.
Determining the level of your soft skills is not always easy. Some events from your past can, however, show whether your skills are good enough for the workplace. For example, if you have been getting clients, but have a very low return rate, your soft skills are highly likely to be underdeveloped. The return rate of clients and customers is usually determined by your soft skills.
Soft skills include communication, negotiation, creative thinking, critical thinking, adaptability to different environments, and conflict resolution. These skills will help you work better in any given work environment. For example, proper communication will enable you to make friends in the workplace, and these persons can be important when you need help. Poor communication skills can even make you incapable of airing opinions that can improve the company’s operations.
Like all other abilities, soft skills can be improved with practice. In some people, this is quite hard. You can consider getting a coach to help you practice your soft skills. It might cost you quite an amount of money but might be the only reason you end up getting into the corporate world.
Build your Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence or EQ might be what separates productive workers from the unproductive ones. Developing your EQ will help you control your feelings better and work properly even when you are not at your best emotional state.
EQ includes several pillars. These are self-awareness, motivation, empathy, self-regulation, and people skills. High EQ will give you the capacity to understand your strengths and weaknesses. It will enable you to express your emotions appropriately and restrain yourself when necessary. Even in cases where things are going wrong, people with high EQ are always able to stay motivated as they have an inner drive to deliver the best results.
Empathy is important for applicants as they will be working with other people, and will possibly interact with clients and customers. It is, therefore, important to build your EQ in order to be the right candidate for the job
Build a List of your Key Accomplishments
If you have accomplishments in the industry, you should always bring them up in the interview and list them in your CV. These are even more important if they led to the reception of awards and recognition by important figures or organizations.
You don’t have to be employed in a corporation in order to get accomplishments in your area of expertise. One way of creating a list of accomplishments is by doing voluntary work in any related or relevant field. If it was a group project, be sure to state your role in it.
Employers are always eager to work with highly talented people, and showing your accomplishments can help them gauge your level of aptitude.
Conclusion
Entering the corporate world is not as hard as people make it seem. Granted, jobs are not in plenty and graduates are increasing in number every year. However, you can easily beat the competition by following these tips. It is important to always apply for a job that suits your qualifications and level of experience in the field.
This post was authored by Cassidy Hennigan
Cassidy Hennigan is a former recruiter and a career development teacher. She likes spending her time in a productive way, by learning new things, writing or playing the piano. She organises productivity techniques classes, where she offers tips for developing interpersonal skills and being at peace with your inner self. Cassidy also contributes to Salaries Wiki, where she explains salaries, skills and requirements for different jobs.
