The process of applying for a new job can be both stressful and thrilling, so knowing the right way to present yourself. However, knowing precisely what NOT to do is more vital.
The number of job vacancies is at record levels According to the most up-to-date ONS statistics, there are 1.3 million job vacancies in the UK.
To assist those seeking jobs, the furniture and office furniture retailer Furniture At Work, has collaborated together with expert career consultants from all over the UK to help you understand what you need to know and not do in order to get your desired job.
Here are three things you should not do
1. Lie
Matt Somers, Career Coach remarks “Just do not do it. Ever. Instead of worrying about whether you could be able to get away with a tiny lying on this CV or online application, you must make a vow to not commit a lie. This way, you won’t be being pressured during an interview to recall what you’ve lied about. Interviews are stressful enough already!”
The most frequent things that candidates lie about according to an YouGov* survey, are:
- Being proficient in abilities they rarely make use of (like Excel or a foreign language)
- Employing a company for longer than they had previously to avoid an employer
- Achieving a degree from an elite university rather than which one they actually attended
2. Insult Your Former Employer
Was your last job horrible? Did your boss be the worst you’ve ever encountered? Be careful not to discuss it. Talking about your past jobs and employers isn’t a wise move. How will your potential employer know you won’t speak negatively about him the next time? Do not post any of these posts on social media as a sign of disrespect, which is really bad office manners.
3. Be patient
Simon Roderick, MD of Fram Search, said: “The first thing about applying for that dream job is to apply instead of being hesitant and fretting! Be confident enough to ask yourself “If not me, then who?” Take your time however, and you could be pleasantly surprised by the results.”
These are the four steps you must do:
1. Role Play
Practice the interview process with a partner or family member or by yourself in the mirror! Learn about different interview strategies and be prepared for difficult questions, so that you could refer to your interview practice when you are in the interview.
2. Personalise Your CV & Cover Letter
The CV you submit should be customized to each job you apply for that you apply for. Make it a career-specific. Every time you apply to an opportunity, you should revise your CV and ask yourself ‘what will the company want to know about you?
- Your CV and cover letter pertinent. You may have a lot of experience and expertise but if they’re not appropriate for the position your employer isn’t likely to be interested in reading it. Likewise, they might miss having the knowledge that is crucial to the job.
- Make sure to include references! Amanda Augustine, career expert at TopCV Explains: “You’re 10 times more likely to get the job if your application is supported by a reference. Make use of your professional and personal connections as well as social media sites like LinkedIn to discover and meet people in the field you want to work in and within your industries.”
3. Do Your Research
The companies won’t expect you to be knowledgeable about all the details of their industry However, they’ll want that you have a basic understanding of the company and the position that you’re applying to.
Things to look into:
- For how long have the business been in existence?
- Recent or newsworthy events that the company has been involved in
- Some clients/products/services they have worked with
- Who are their main rivals?
- Who is currently interviewing you? Look up their LinkedIn and learn about their work in the business as well as some achievements in their career that they have recently achieved.
4. Make The First Move
- Don’t be a slave to wait for your employer to contact you and send them a friendly follow-up email to check what their processes are running.
- Ask them if they’ve received any feedback either positive or negative. However, regardless of the outcome of your interview, knowing the areas you had strengths or weaknesses in will provide you with valuable knowledge in the future.
