The insider tricks you need to score your dream job

Work woes: A common story

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When Carlyn completed her Master’s degree last year, she expected to score a full-time job right away. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go according to plan. “I had all the necessary educational qualifications and some relevant work experience behind me, so I figured I wouldn’t have a problem getting a job, but boy was I wrong,” the 25-year-old MBA graduate shares. “It’s been several months and I still haven’t found a decent job. Last month I accepted some contract work at a marketing company but it’s not the same as a full-time job. I’ll continue looking for my dream position but to be honest, I’m not optimistic. The economy is predicted to be quite bad this year; companies only want to hire the best, if they are hiring at all, and I’m sure there are thousands of people like me who are vying for the same position.”

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ALSO READ: How to outwit and outsmart toxic office b*tches at work; Hold up... it's not always a bad thing to accept less pay; Do this first before saying, "I quit!"

Working around the situation (so to speak)

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Does Carlyn’s story sound familiar? Whether you are a fresh graduate looking for full-time work or are already in the workforce but are hoping to change jobs or companies, you may not have had much luck with potential employers in recent months. The economic downturn is likely to blame, and, while we know that the situation will get better, you have to admit that the current job market doesn’t look too promising – even if you have all the right qualifications or a few years of work experience. 

What can you do? If you’ve been sending out applications and scouring the job listings online and still haven’t been called for an interview – or have only managed to pick up temporary or contract work – then you probably feel like giving up. Don’t! Scroll through the gallery slides for six ways to make an impact with your job application, increase your professional presence, and get noticed by potential employers for all the right reasons.

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ALSO READ: How to outwit and outsmart toxic office b*tches at work; Hold up... it's not always a bad thing to accept less pay; Do this first before saying, "I quit!"

Ramp up your resume

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Your resume may be strong, but if it’s pretty standard, it won’t stand out. How do you make yours “pop”? First, make sure that it’s not too cluttered – that means formatting it properly, using headers where needed, and using a modern and professional-looking font, like Helvetica, Arial or Calibri. Second, keep it concise – no one wants to read pages and pages of irrelevant information – and proofread it for errors. Third, play up your strengths and achievements; if you’re not new to the job scene, highlight the ways you made a positive difference to your previous companies. And finally, incorporating industry keywords and buzzwords into your resume is fine, but don’t overdo it. 

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ALSO READ: How to outwit and outsmart toxic office b*tches at work; Hold up... it's not always a bad thing to accept less pay; Do this first before saying, "I quit!"

Develop your professional presence

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Don’t wait to get noticed – put yourself out there. Networking is an effective strategy to show potential employers what you’re about and what you can offer. It’s also one of the easiest ways to build professional connections and open the door to new opportunities. And the best part is, anyone can network – even entry-level jobseekers.

How to network?  Reach out to ex-classmates, ex-professors, ex-colleagues, and anyone else you know who’s got connections to the movers and shakers in your field. Ask if they can link you up with these people in some way, either by arranging a meeting or interview, giving them your resume on your behalf, or finding out about job vacancies for you. Make sure these people know you well enough on a professional level, so that they can “market” you to their industry contacts.

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ALSO READ: How to outwit and outsmart toxic office b*tches at work; Hold up... it's not always a bad thing to accept less pay; Do this first before saying, "I quit!"

Join the club

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You should also consider joining professional associations that organise get-togethers for members. You’ll get the chance to meet industry players and others in-the-know who might be able to help you get your foot in the door. 

Joining in online conversations and forums is also an excellent way to increase your visibility. Check out industry-related Twitter chats and Linked-In groups, and professional websites or discussion boards that are related to your job or industry – you never know whom you might meet on there.

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ALSO READ: How to outwit and outsmart toxic office b*tches at work; Hold up... it's not always a bad thing to accept less pay; Do this first before saying, "I quit!"

Clean up the digital dirt

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Don’t send out those job applications without reviewing your social media accounts first. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the like are among the first place employers go when they want to find out more about an applicant, so be sure to hide or delete any questionable content (think ‘meaningless’ photos, posts or comments that put you in a bad light).

In an ideal world, your social profiles and blogs would have no bearing on your job prospects, but first impressions count, and you don’t want potential employers to have a negative opinion of you before they’ve even had the chance to meet you.

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ALSO READ: How to outwit and outsmart toxic office b*tches at work; Hold up... it's not always a bad thing to accept less pay; Do this first before saying, "I quit!"

Create a positive online presence

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When potential employers research you online, you want them to come away with only a positive impression of you. Your LinkedIn profile may not be enough – if you work in a creative or artistic field and have a portfolio to show off, it might be smart to create your own website that displays your work and some information about you. The website is also a good place for a blog if you have any thoughts to share about your industry or line of work. Just remember to keep everything relevant and professional.

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ALSO READ: How to outwit and outsmart toxic office b*tches at work; Hold up... it's not always a bad thing to accept less pay; Do this first before saying, "I quit!"

Just get your foot in the door

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Do you dream of working at a specific company? When you’re looking at what positions that company has available, don’t limit yourself to the jobs you are qualified for. So, for instance, let’s say you have a finance or business degree and want to work for a top accounting firm. The company may not have any accounting vacancies at the moment, but they may have positions in other departments, like public relations or marketing. Just because these positions aren’t what you intended for yourself, however, it doesn’t mean that you should overlook them. In these uncertain times, your main objective should be to get your foot in the door, any way you can. Once the job market improves and a position you really want becomes available within the company, you’ll be one of the first to be considered.

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ALSO READ: How to outwit and outsmart toxic office b*tches at work; Hold up... it's not always a bad thing to accept less pay; Do this first before saying, "I quit!"

Accept part-time, contract or temporary work if it’s offered to you

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Who doesn’t want a full-time job? Unfortunately, a full-time, permanent position may be hard to come by. No problem – if you’re presented with an opportunity to work on a contract, part-time or temporary basis, take it.

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ALSO READ: How to outwit and outsmart toxic office b*tches at work; Hold up... it's not always a bad thing to accept less pay; Do this first before saying, "I quit!"

The bottom-line

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Even if a job offer is not in the industry of your choice or the kind of position you were hoping for, it’s still a chance for you to gain valuable experience, pick up new skills and widen your professional network. Employers these days put a high premium on workers who have multiple skills to offer, and besides, if you can switch between different industries and roles, it says a lot about your adaptability, your versatility, and your willingness to learn and try new things.

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ALSO READ: How to outwit and outsmart toxic office b*tches at work; Hold up... it's not always a bad thing to accept less pay; Do this first before saying, "I quit!"