You’ve thought long and hard about what you are looking for in a vocation, you’ve assessed your skill sets, and you’ve applied for jobs that fit your lifestyle and needs perfectly. Once you’ve taken these first steps and have landed an interview, it’s now time to strongly close out the process. From checking your online reputation to deciding if you really want the job, here are five steps to landing the job that’s right for you:
1. Review your online reputation
In this day and age, most employers check the online profiles of people who have applied for a position. So assume this will be the case when you’re trying to land your dream job, and take to shaping up your online reputation on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and any other social media sites you use. To go the extra mile without adding to your workload, you can hire a reputation management company. These companies have public relations writers who can boost your online presence with information and posts about your accomplishments and volunteer work.
2. Study up before the interview
Landing an interview is a crucial step in getting the job of your dreams, and it can be the most intimidating part of the process. To make the most of the opportunity, adequately prepare beforehand. For instance, study up on the industry so that you can explain how you will help the company meet their goals. Research online and talk to current/past employees to get a feel for the company culture so you can show you’re a good fit. Also, be sure to be prepared for any and all job interview questions. Also, don’t forget bring your resume, portfolio, and any other pertinent documents that could be useful during the interview.
3. Be confident and engaging
One of the most important qualities you can exhibit in your interview is confidence. And when you are prepared, you have good reason to be confident. Be sure to actively listen to the hiring manager and to respond with enthusiasm. Also, you want your responses to be relative to the topics in discussion, and don’t hesitate to ask the interviewer questions. To make a lasting impression, have several stories handy that are related to your past work experiences; these stories should show how you’ve solved problems and helped other companies succeed.
4. Say thank you
Once you’ve had a killer interview, it’s time to follow up. To show that you appreciate the hiring manager taking the time to interview you, send a brief thank you letter by email or snail mail — either later that evening or the next day. The letter should state your gratitude and be free of grammatical errors. Sending a thank you letter is also an opportunity to reinforce your candidacy and open a line of further communication.
5. Take time to decide
If you are offered the job, don’t say yes on the spot. Ask the hiring manager when they need to have your answer, and kindly inform them you will consider it and get back to them quickly. This will provide you the necessary time to reflect on the interview, as well as the research you conducted on the company, and decide if the job is really what you want. It also gives you time to negotiate your salary if needed.
It’s usually not easy to get an interview for your dream job, and it’s essential that you make the most of it when the opportunity comes. Be sure your online reputation is stellar, and hire a reputation management company if you need to. Prepare for the interview and engage the interviewer to show that you’re serious about the company and the position you applied for. Finally, remember to send a “thank you” note and to take time to make the right decision about taking the job.
Guest Post by Eva Benoit
Photo Credit: Unsplash
