So many of us are tired of working dead-end job after dead-end job. We want opportunity for growth in an environment that is intriguing, where we truly look forward to going into work every day. Having job experience is no longer enough to land the job you want. In today’s job market, there is stiff competition and it is up to you to make sure you stand out to prospective employers.

Unfortunately, there are some key mistakes that can cost you your dream job that you may not even be aware you are making. If you want to land that dream job, here’s are a few things from our job hunting strategy guide to keep in mind.

Resume

Employers who are posting jobs online are receiving more resumes than they can possibly go through, and it is not uncommon for them to skim instead of read every word. Many times they are skimming for certain keywords or phrases to see if you are even a match. Using the job listing as a reference, make adjustments to your resume to highlight your skills that match with what the employer is looking for.

Personal Brand

It might seem obvious to make yourself look good on the resume, but it is just as important to make yourself look good online. Employers are taking advantage of social media and the internet to learn more about you as a prospective employee, and will take what they see into account when making a hiring decision. Privacy settings should be high for any personal social media accounts, unless you want to explain any less than flattering behavior on your accounts.

Not all social media should be hidden from the public. It is important to keep an active profile on LinkedIn especially, but consider others as well. This isn’t just to toot your own horn (though that is important to some degree), you should be using these platforms to create engaging content in your field of expertise.

Interview Prep

When you walk into the interview, you need to appear interested and know basic information about the company. Asking thoughtful questions at the end of an interview is the best way to express interest, but if you ask something that could be answered in a 2 minute Google search on the company, you appear lazy and aloof. Study the company and ask questions during the interview that showcase what you learned in you research.

Dress 

Walking in to an interview in cut-off shorts and a screen-print tee shirt is a great way to make a bad first impression. If you are unsure what the company’s dress standards are, come to the interview dressed in business casual. For a less casual job such as retail or a fast-food position, it is still important to arrive looking neat and tidy. Jeans can be acceptable in those situations, but leave the holes at home and keep it looking professional.

Follow-Up

Not hearing back from your interviewer right away is not necessarily a sign that you won’t get the job. Whatever the reason is, it is important to follow up after an interview. Following up with them is a chance for you to restate your interest in the company, and to genuinely thank them for their time. If you choose not to reach out, you may very well be forgotten.

Whatever your dream job may be, if you work hard to develop the necessary skills and follow these tips from the resume to the interview process, you can make your dreams a reality.

Author – Lannette Price

Source – www.resume.com