Written By: Sanjana Ganguly, Student Representative, Seneca College
With new job postings popping up every day, it can feel like the competition is only getting stiffer. Plus – for many of us, it feels as though every time you check your LinkedIn, another person is sharing their excitement about a new job they landed.
Well, fear not! The Student Steering Committee has accumulated a wealth of knowledge throughout our post-secondary careers on landing job positions and we want to let you in on a few tips we learnt from our ‘Get Hired’ event earlier this year.
How to Build the Perfect Application
The most essential part of landing a job is an outstanding cover letter and resumé. Here are some do’s and don’ts to remember when building both documents:
Do’s
1. Match your resumé to the job description and be sure to incorporate key terms into your cover letter
Always remember to tailor your cover letter and resumé to what has been outlined in the job description. Make sure you double-check formatting! First impressions matter.
2. Talk about your relevant experience
Don’t shy away from mentioning school projects you enjoyed working on as they count as relevant experiences that prepared you for the workplace.
3. Showcase your computing skills
Mentioning skills related to data analytics, social media and CMS (content management system), greatly help give your profile that extra edge.
Don’ts
1. Rinse and repeat
That is to say, don’t use the same copy and language for every job you apply to.
2. Overpromise and underdeliver
Don’t write about an experience you cannot testify for.
Best Practices on LinkedIn
What matters most in the digital space is having an impressive LinkedIn profile.
The secret sauce to one of the most important aspects of communications is Networking! Given the pandemic, if meeting in person is not possible, make virtual coffee meets happen.
Tip #1
When connecting with someone, send a personalized message to showcase your value, authenticity and passion.
Tip #2
Make your LinkedIn profile SEO-friendly to improve your search appearances and help recruiters easily reach out to you.
Great job! Now it’s all about doing your best at the interview. Here are some useful insights:
1. Make a great first impression
A friendly smile and cheerful attitude go a long way. Doing a little research on the interviewers beforehand also helps and can be a good icebreaker!
2. Be interested and engaged
When it’s your turn, always ask questions that matter.
3. Be thankful
Write a thank-you note to the interviewer or share a video on email to add a personal touch.
Now that you know how to stand out from the crowd, start prepping to get the job you have always dreamed of!
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