Develop Your Skill Set
The best thing you can do to market yourself is to have a set of skills you have proven success in. This could mean a number of different things. A good idea to get started is to get certified in an area of your interest. Sites like Coursera make it easy to sign up for classes in a number of different subjects. Once you’ve completed a course and received a certificate, you now have something that stands out on your resume and makes you more desirable.
Don’t Limit Yourself
You will probably notice during your job search that you may not have work experience that matches 100% of what a company is looking for. This shouldn’t discourage you from applying anyway. Be confident in your skills and find ways to relate your work experience to the job listing. Many hiring managers based their decisions on more than just resumes. If you are well-spoken and have a good demeanor, you can get more opportunities than you think.
Highlight Your Transferable Skills
Resumes, applications, and cover letters often contain technical skills that relate to a job. But it’s also important to highlight your transferable skills. These are skills that are used in many different industries. No matter what job you’re interviewing for, there are basic professional and communication skills that everyone needs. Sometimes companies will hire someone for one job, only to move them to a different position. So you’ll want to let them know you’re flexible and can adapt to many different scenarios.
Practice Your Interview
Once you’ve landed the interview, be sure to get as much information as possible. Find out if it’s a virtual or in-office interview, who you will be speaking with, and how long it will last. Be sure to dress professionally and ask detailed questions about the company and the position. Then it’s a good idea to rehearse your answers to questions that will be asked. This way you will be more confident when asked about why you would be a good fit for the position. Practice may not get rid of your nerves on interview day, but it will help with the overall impression you make.
Keep these tips in mind when going for a job interview. You will stand out from the rest of the applicants if you’re prepared, confident, and have the skill set to back it all up.
