On The Job Hunt? Make Yourself Stand Out
For aspiring professionals on the search for career
opportunities, the market may seem small and the opportunities scarce. However,
every day new job postings are uploaded online, and companies in Lebanon and
abroad are on the search for qualified candidates.
Here are tips to make yourself stand out…
When applying on job portals
Career opportunities on job portals are viewed by thousands
of individuals, and hundreds of candidates apply to the same position. To make
yourself stand out, do the following:
- Fill out all the details on the application (the more you
add, the better)
- Add fields and keywords that can help recruiters identify
you, and areas of interest in your career (this optimizes tagging, and your
profile will appear more in searches / tracking systems)
- Tailor your cover letter and job application based on the
job description and position you are applying to. This will allow you to
customize your previous experience and objective, to suit the role
- Don’t underestimate your online profile and invest time in
building it. By strengthening your online presence you will appear more in
searches, even for future positions
- Always keep your LinkedIn page up to date, and link it in
the application form
- If you’re applying for a creative job, showcase your creativity
through the application or your CV
- Apply only to jobs you actually want, as recruiters can
track all positions you have applied for
- Create job alerts and add the keywords for jobs you are
looking for
- Make sure info of job application matches your CV
When updating your CV
Recruiters receive hundreds of CVs a day, and spend only a
few seconds viewing each one. What catches a recruiter’s eye is the way the CV
is formatted, keywords or buzzwords and relevant experience. However, many
candidates do not spend enough time enhancing their CVs, which ultimately serve
as a gateway to tap into future opportunities. When updating your CV, ensure
you have covered the following:
- Format and present your CV in an eye-catching way that is
clear and structured and consistent
- Tailor your career objective to suit the position you are
applying to. Extract keywords from the job description and include them
- Then customize the CV based on the job you are applying to.
Integrate relevant experience that fits the profile companies are searching for
- Use positive and assertive language when detailing your work
experience. Include words such as ‘developed’, ‘managed’, ‘organized’ and
‘achieved’
- Describe accomplishments instead of responsibilities by
showing qualitative and quantitative results
- The first place a recruiter’s eye drifts is on the first
page, in the upper middle area. Make sure key information is included.
- Ensure you include your personal and contact information on
top, previous work experience, education and certifications, relevant skills
for the job you are applying to and interests
- Try to keep it as concise as possible, under one A4 page
- Spell check your CV. Spelling mistakes portray a lack of
professionalism
- Let go of things you have accomplished that are outdated and
don’t serve your case/career
If you are unsure if your CV is presented in the right way,
ask a friend to take a look and continually find ways to enhance it.
Check out BDD’s new career portal or on jobsforlebanon.com for new
opportunities in Lebanon and globally.
Lebanon
Leadership
on October 02, 2020
by Beirut Digital District