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Getting a Job

Posted on 07/07/2010 by John

I have been having a number of discussions with people recently about getting jobs.
It seems some people overlook a few basic points that are important when applying.

1. Your cover letter
Make sure it is gramatically correct and there are no spelling mistakes.
Once you have written it, read over it a few times. Try reading it out loud also.
Make sure it makes sense and gets your point across.
Remember this stage is where most applications are cut.
If the employer has to read over a sentance a few times to understand it they are going to throw it out.

Stop using short hand online. Its all well and good to use it between friends when you are at school, but it won’t cut it in the business world.
Its important to get out of the habbit of using it as quickly as possible.

2. CV, Resume
List all the important points. Keep it as concise as possible. Try to keep it to 2 pages or less.
Remember grammar and spelling!

3. Websites
This does not apply for all jobs but it DOES help for some such as Programming and Design.

My website helped me get two jobs as a programmer so far. For my first job, a friend heard through someone else that a company was looking for a programmer. The URL for my website was passed along until finally I was asked to come in for an interview.

Three years later I applied for a job including the URL for my website on my CV.
Lots of people applied, only a few people got an interview. There were apparently people with higher qualifications than I had at the time.

Yet, I got the job. I later found out that my website was one of the things that helped me.

These people with higher qualifications had done a hell of a lot of studying, but they had zero to show for it.
All they had were pieces of paper. Where as I had pieces of paper, previous experience AND a website that showed things I was doing in my own time.
It showed my boss that I had a passion for programming rather than just wanting it as a career for money.

If you have anything at all you can show online, register a proper domain and show your work.
Join up with community projects. Just get out there any do anything you can to show of your skills and show you have a passion for it.

Register a proper domain name, something that sounds professional which could even be just your name.
It doesn’t even have to cost much. Domain registration is about $10 per year through places like www.godaddy.com
You can get cheap hosting packages also. You do not need to go overboard.

DO make sure that the website looks good though. If you are no good with web design and/or development pay someone or try some free templates.
Its not too hard to get WordPress and install some skins.

4. Email Address
DO NOT use your skankyslut69@hotmail.com email address on your application for a job! You will most likely find an automatic place in the bin using email addresses like this.
IF you have to use a free email address register a new one using your full name or some variation that sounds professional.
Also try to go with gmail if you can. It is often considered more professional than hotmail even though they offer the same service.

If you go down the route of having your own website as mentioned previously, use email address at your domain. yourname@yourdomain.com

5. Interview
Research the company before you go to the interview.
Make a point of showing that you know about the company.

Most interviwers will ask questions like
- Where do you see yourself in X years?
- How much money are you after?
- What makes you think you would be a good person to hire?

KNOW the answer to these questions and similar ones! Even if its ambitious or what ever. Anything is better than umming and arring in an interview.

Dress neat, make yourself presentable, have a shower and make sure you smell ok.

Use a strong handshake. It feels absolutely terrible to shake someones limp sweatty hand.
I always get an awkward feeling when I shake someones limp hand. It feels more like we are holding hands about to make out rather than a firm lets get down to business shake.

During the interview, look at the other person. Don’t wander around the room with your eyes.
Give your full attention, speak confident and direct.
Be open with your answers and don’t bullshit your way through it.

Well these are all my tips for getting a job. Does anyone have any other tips that I have missed?

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Getting a Job

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