When most of us consider our dream job, we tend to begin at the end: picturing ourselves happy in our new workplace. We give little thought to what comes before.
Interview preparation is essential to landing your dream job. Whether you’re applying for a new position or updating your LinkedIn profile, there are several things you should consider before submitting your application.
We have all the information you need.
Do Your Industry Research
Before you even start thinking about an interview, you need to make sure that you have found the perfect company to work at – and this takes plenty of research. Start with a broader search of your industry; who are the big players and key names?
Which companies have seen their success grow, and offer plenty of chances to develop?
Once you have broad background knowledge, narrow this down into a shortlist of your top options.
Conduct Research On The Company
Once you have found your perfect job, it is time to really get to know them – leave no stone unturned here. Read through their website, social media pages, and blogs to get a feel for who they are as a company.
This will help you understand how they operate and what kind of culture they foster.
By doing plenty of research, you will develop a closer connection with and knowledge of the company. This will shine through in your application, increasing the appeal of offering you that all-important interview.
Create A Winning Application
Now that you have done your research, it is time to put together a winning application. You want to be able to show off your skills and experience, but also demonstrate why you would fit well into the role.
Make sure that you include examples of your previous work, highlighting any projects you were involved in and the results you achieved. If you can find a way to tie these experiences back to the company you are targeting, so much the better.
Pay attention to the details. If the job advertisement tells you to refer to a specific person or include certain details, then double check that these are included to avoid your application simply being tossed in the trash upon receipt.
Follow Up On Your Application
After sending out your application, don’t forget to follow up on it. Make sure that you send a thank you email after receiving feedback from the recruiter, thanking them for taking the time to look over your application.
This shows that you are interested in the opportunity, and makes you stand out from other applicants. It also demonstrates that you are professional and take the time to do your best when applying for jobs.
Practice Makes Perfect
Finally, practice makes perfect. It may seem obvious, but if you don’t prepare properly, then you won’t perform well during the actual interview. That is, after all, the ultimate aim of putting together the perfect application.
Practice interviews with friends, family members, or colleagues to ensure you are comfortable talking about yourself and answering questions. Make sure you practice your answers until you are confident that you can answer every question without hesitation.
You can also record yourself carrying out a mock interview, and watch this back. This can be a great way to pick up on any unwanted habits or issues, and make changes before the interview.
Final Thoughts
The key to landing your dream job is to create an impressive application that stands out from the crowd, and proves that you are the perfect candidate for the job – and our top tips will help you to get there.
