The whole truth..

Let’s face it, there is a whole lot of career advice out there to wade through. First off all there are your nearest and dearest dishing out that job advice in their caring way, then there is the internet, with millions of articles telling you what you need to do to secure that next career move or job, may contradicting each other in the process.

It’s a dog eat dog world out there in the job hunting game, so you need to know how to tell the job search delusions from the job search truths… whether you are searching jobs in Abu Dhabi, Honk Kong, or Miami.

Delusion: Go into detail on your resume about past experience to show your potential employer what you have achieved and convince them to employ you.

Truth: Your resume is a call to action, not an autobiography. You need to create enough interest to garner yourself an interview. Hold something back to share at the face to face meeting.

Delusion: Describe your ideal role to potential employers in your resume, so employers see your passion and focus immediately.

Truth: This is a harsh one. Potential employees don’t actually give a fig what makes you happy. They want to know how you can make them happy. Focus on the organisation at hand and detail how you will improve things for them and why.

Delusion: Make sure resume looks original and stands out enough to catch the recruiters eye.

Truth: No, No , and again No. Yes it’s my pet hate. Crazy fonts and coloured paper only serve to make sure your resume is specifically filed – in the shredder. Unprofessional and try hard, colours and fuss simply take away from the facts, and that’s all the recruiter needs to see. Your resume may also need to be faxed or emailed. Keep it clean and readable folks.

Delusion: By taking a quick look at the employers website, you’ll be interview ready.

Truth: Don’t just take a quick look, scrutinise it and glean as much information as possible. You’ll be able to work your knowledge into the interview, and even if it is publicly available information, it shows you have taken the time to get to know your potential employees and are interested in working for THEM , not just taking a JOB.

Delusion: The Interviewer holds all the cards…

Truth: It’s totally a two way deal. If you are interviewing for a respected organisation who care about who they reply, they will be more interested in what you have to say rather than what they can bark at you. Okay, they have the deciding vote on whether you get the job or not, but an interview is YOUR gig, your chance to shine

Delusion: Nobody looks at the cover letter anyway..

Truth: Not true. Time is money for recruiters, yes, but the more opportunity to wow them with your very skills the better I say. Make sure it is not a mini resume, but an overall statement including keywords from the job description – this proves you have read it. The point is this – let the recruiter decide whether they’ll read it or not, at least you’ve done your bit by making sure it’s there.