6 GUIDELINES TO IMPRESSING A POTENTIAL EMPLOYER
By Rahab Kinyanjui
The world has changed and as job candidates, we have a whole different set of challenges that differ greatly from past generations’ career trials and tribulations. Challenges such as:
1.EMAIL…Nowadays potential employers don’t find it amusing if your email address is
sexykitten254@gmail.com. Get a professional email address. E.g. if your name is Jane Wanjiku Kamau your email address options are
janekamau@gmail.com,
j.kamau@gmail.com,
jane_kamau@gmail.com,
j.wanjikukamau@gmail.com etc. The choices are many just keep it professional.
2. MANAGING YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PICTURES…There is a reason the Internet is referred to as a global village. You never know which friend of a friend is a Potential Employer. If you want to be taken seriously as a potential job candidate, keep your pictures clean and professional and remove those that put you in an incriminating light.
Although everyone is allowed a personal life, judgements will be made by a Potential Employer if he see’s pictures of you in compromising situation and that’s a fact.
3. MAINTAIN AN ONLINE CURRICULUM VITA. This can be done on social sites such as Linked In, Who’s Who. And it will show potential employer that you are serious about vacant positions.
4. DON’T BE AFRAID TO NETWORK…In past generations, networking played a small role in getting a job. You simply applied and got the job. Nowadays everybody does it, so don’t feel embarrassed about putting yourself out there. Your network should include friends, family, professional associations, former employers, former colleagues, lecturers, professionals…etc. Once you have established your network, seek advice from them, stay in contact and help them whenever they may call upon you. Last but not least, always thank them when they help you.
5. TELL THEM A STORY…i.e. let your c.v. tell a story that needs concludes with you getting hired by the Potential Employer. E.g. If you are interested in a marketing position, let your c.v. speak volumes about your experience in marketing, this means your course work, work experience, all marketing conferences you have attended, books you are reading on marketing, if you are blogging let it be about marketing, join professional bodies that are relating to marketing. Anything and everything do to with marketing that you have done should be on that c.v. In addition remove anything that is irrelevant to marketing. Make them believe that you are a force to reckon with when it comes to your field of work.
6. ASK QUESTIONS...Do ask your Potential Employer questions in the interview, it will show you are interested in the job and are weighing the pros and cons about taking it.
-Tell me why this position is open?
-Tell me about other members of your team?
-What challenges should I expect on the job?
Job hunting can be a frightening experience, but by changing these few aspects, there is no doubt that you will be on the right track to a successful career.