Think Like an Employer
By Jerry Green
An aspect of your job search that you may be missing is to think like an employer throughout the entire hiring process.
Would you hire a candidate who turned in a resume that falls flat? Or, could you overlook an interview candidate who impressed but lacks the professional work experience?
If you’re not getting the attention of hiring managers after applying for numerous positions, you can benefit from changing your approach. Check out how to proceed during each step of your job search and impress those who oversee hiring.
Application Process
When a company posts a job opening, they are mostly thorough with the job description and their expectations of a candidate. You can put your best foot forward by customizing your resume to highlight work experience that fits an employer’s needs.
It’s also beneficial to avoid applying for roles where your professional history doesn’t match the position’s qualifications. It would help if you also considered researching the companies that you apply with. Analyze their mission goals and craft your initial application and follow-up efforts with likeminded objectives.
Before the Interview
Once you have the interview set up, your research of a company should be more thorough. If you know the name of the manager you will be meeting with, check out their professional social media accounts to learn more.
This will give you a perspective about who you will be sitting down with and allow you to be comfortable during the interviewing process. During your research, try to find things you have in common both professionally and personally.
If you are unsure of who you will meet with, you can still check the company’s online persona to learn more. Look for a list of their employees and research those in leadership roles. The proactive strategy can put you in the right mindset to impress a hiring manager during the interview.
In addition to using social media to find out more about a company, pay attention to recent press releases, notable hires and news articles you discover.
During the Interview
While researching a company and its leaders, make a list of answers for common inquiries that often arise during an interview. For instance, a question like, “where do you see yourself in five years?” can be answered by coordinating your professional goals with the company’s ambitions.
You should also prepare a list of questions to ask your interviewer. Try to incorporate the language you found during your research regarding the position and the company’s culture. You can impress the HR manager by showing an understanding of the group’s vision for success and how your input can assist in achieving it.
Incorporating these strategies into your job search will give you a clearer perspective about what is expected from an employer. Finding a new occupation can sometimes feel like a full-time job. Entering the process with a goal-orientated mindset will help make the journey more comfortable and successful.
Don’t forget to consider your own desires when applying for companies that meet your needs.
