Top Tips for Job Seekers

OUR 5 BEST JOB SEEKING TIPS

1. Win the CV Battle – You Have But 10 Seconds!

Did you know the average CV is read in 10 seconds or less? So, it needs to be clear and concise.

Achievements Trump Experience

It is vital to not only list previous positions, but to also feature your achievements in relation to those roles. Try and quantify – use numbers – the specific business outcomes you have delivered and highlight the impact of those outcomes. In the world of persuasion, tangibles always win.

For example, you might state that you helped to increase revenue by 10 per cent or improve cycle times by 20 per cent.

Don’t Forget the Obvious

We never ceased to be amazed just how often people forget the very basics. Make sure all the information provided in your CV is accurate and up to date. And check for spelling mistakes, typos and formatting issues.

Lastly, include a professional summary that is specifically targeted to the role you are applying for.

2. LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn

If the real estate agent’s catch cry is “location, location, location” then the recruiter’s is quickly becoming “LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn”.

An optimized LinkedIn profile is now mandatory when seeking employment. But remember, it does not replace your CV, it complements it.

A LinkedIn profile sits outside the more formal boundaries of a CV and is a perfect place to showcase your personality. A more casual tone can be taken in both your headline and summary.

Your ‘voice’ can and should be showcased with status updates and comments left on other members’ and company’s updates. In the social world, what we say can be as powerful a sign to employers as what we have done and LinkedIn is the place recruiters will often look right after viewing your CV.

Read these essential articles we’ve curated for you on optimizing your LinkedIn presence:

3. Do Your Homework

Competing for a job or contract is a game of inches. Every little bit of preparation you do gives you a better chance of landing your dream role.

Your research should comprise of the following at the very minimum:

Find out everything you can about the company and the technology relating to the role.

Once you reach the interview stage, try to find out who will be conducting the interview so you can check their LinkedIn profile.

Visit the company’s website and take time to read through annual reports, media releases and product/service information.

The message is simple: the more you know about the company, its clients and staff – the better your chances will be of impressing the interviewer.

4. It’s Who You Know

The old adage rings true as much today as it did yesterday: it’s not just what you know it’s who you know.

Your network is arguably your biggest weapon in the job seeking game. Make sure you are part of SAP networks and online forums. You should engage with the industry and be actively involved with the technology. Employers want to hire someone who is across the latest developments and who is enthusiastic about the SAP industry. Don’t be afraid to mention your connections during an interview with a potential employer.

5. Know Thy Weaknesses

Nine times out of then you will face the question, “What are your weaknesses?”.

It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book, but also one of the most common pitfalls for job seekers.

Make sure you prepare for this question and that your answer offers specific insights into your personality. It’s important to provide an honest answer, but also one that does not mention essential skills that relate to the position you are applying for. Provide examples of how you have overcome your weaknesses in previous positions and emonstrate to the employer that you are capable of taking on constructive criticism and moving through challenges.

Do you have any job seeking tips of your own? Or perhaps some questions for our expert consultants? Please feel free to continue the discussion in the comments section below.

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