Job Opportunities, Salary, Application Process, Interview Questions: Which websites can I consider to search for jobs?
The format of applying for a job has changed as the digital era has emerged. However, we can find comfort in knowing that the crux of the process has not changed. Are you searching for employment and need further information on job opportunities, salaries, the application process, and interview questions? Search no more. We got you.
Job opportunities are found in the main sources of information and news: newspapers, the internet, websites, and our social media platforms. One has to be intentional about searching for them because in this digital space specifically, we search for mostly the narrative of our “search profile” online. It is what will be issued to us.
Salaries vary with job opportunities versus our qualifications or credentials and experiences plus skills. Salaries are also dependent mostly on the company’s budget and, to a certain extent, their need for a specific position to be filled. Salaries are negotiable, and therefore, they are not rigid and final. The application process is mainly the applicant’s responsibility. The process involves presenting your personal details, cover letter, and curriculum vitae in most cases. Additions like copies of your identity document, your qualifications may be requested by the employer. The application process is mainly dependent on the employers’ websites and portals to be easy to access and apply. Applications may be made physically. However, the digital world’s beauty and now the pandemic, most applications have been set to be made digitally. The interview questions are mostly similar. Only a few variations depending on the company’s job posts, the company’s objective concerning the identified job in terms of the employer’s expectation.
Which websites can I consider to search for jobs?
There are multiple websites to search for a job or job opportunities; however, I would strongly advise LinkedIn. I would like to believe that it is in the top five applications for a career. Once you are well acquainted with LinkedIn, it will lead you to other sites that will allow you to apply for a job. Note, job opportunities are not scarce when one is active on applications like LinkedIn. The most important things one should factor in are definitely your location, your curriculum vitae, and make sure that your profile constantly updates to make it easy for such sites to seek opportunities for you online actively. Please make it a ritual to be acquainted with other job sites LinkedIn connects you to. Be certain that a profile is created so that you may be alerted when any job of your preference is up.
How do I calculate, request and negotiate the salary with the hiring company?
Assuming that you know the position you are applying for and that you meet most of the requirements, you can then furtherly request the salary in figures if it has not been issued to you. Sometimes figures are discussed once the interview takes place. In having mentioned this, I would advise that you know what you are worth. Do thorough research on how much you can be paid with the position you’re applying for, considering what you can bring to the table. Do not be gullible in accepting anything; however, do not be difficult as well.
It is advisable to question how employees are normally paid and increase each year to know what to expect. Do this in a manner that is not desperate, but that is professional and assertive. Whatever you negotiate should make you happy in the end. There may be some sacrifices here and there; however, do not go right under the belt you would be complaining about at the end of the third month. When you negotiate your salary, make sure that the interviewer knows what value you can bring to the company. Let that be your greatest possession; therefore, go into detail and affirm the interviewer how much of an asset you can be to the company without sounding too desperate.
The Interview Process
The interview process is a tricky one. However, your personality, ability to analyze questions and respond to the questions will greatly benefit you. Your first impression must be your lasting impression. How you present yourself in terms of dress code, body posture, and confidence will make a lasting impact. This can be to your advantage: Even though you are being interviewed for one position, be aware that even if you do not get employed for that position, you might be employed for another position based on the impression the interviewers have of you. It is therefore important to note the above.
- Be punctual. Keeping the time will be your impression before your first impression. Time sets a lot of interviewees apart. You can prepare transport in advance if you are using public transport daily. Be present at the company’s premises at least fifteen minutes before the interview so that you can mentally prepare yourself and freshen up if need be.
- Be prepared for the interview. Research about the company, its mission, and main objectives. Ensure that you understand that you are there to meet the objectives, not to create your mini-show within a company. Do thorough research on the position you will be interviewed for and positions that are acquainted with your interview position. More than anything, be honest about what you can offer, do not oversell yourself that you will be freezing on the first day of work.
- Be open about what you are willing to learn and your expectations from the company. Know your rights as a future employee. This is essential because in as much as the relationship is set to be professional and healthy, things do happen, and you need to know who to report to as an employee. Do note that your safety and mental health come first. Do not forget to ask anything you are uncertain about at the end of the interview to know what you can expect. Ensure that the questions are relevant and that your questions were properly answered, so you are not surprised later on.
- Lastly, if you do not know anything during the interview, do not be afraid to mention it confidently. This will prove that you will articulate it if you are uncertain about something instead of making a choice that can damage the company in the future. Stay classy and positive, give your interviewers that eye contact, a professional smile and speak with ease and slow enough to be heard. I believe that this will set you up for a successful interview.
The Most Frequent Questions Asked in the Duration of Your Interview
Before I mention a couple of questions, do not fully depend on these only. Research more questions and be expectant on the interviewing going spontaneous. The questions below may be totally written off, and the interviewer may go in his or her own route, asking with having the company and the position’s best interest and advantage. Also, note that the questions may not be exact, similar to those listed below.
Here are the questions you can look up for:
- Tell me about yourself.
- What is your greatest strength?
- Why should we hire you?
- What are your salary expectations?
- Where do you see yourself in five years? (Questions from LinkedIn-za.linkedin.com)
- What do you do outside of work?
- Can you explain your employment gap?
- Describe your leadership style
- Tell me about a time you failed or you made a mistake (Questions from LinkedIn-za.linkedin.com)
Be acquainted to such questions and I believe that you will be on the win
Tips on Curriculum Vitae Writing
- Be well aware of the position you are applying for
- Make sure that their requirements and skills align with most of yours
- Make sure that the curriculum vitae is always in pdf form and that it is not locked
- Make use of applications or soft wares like the applicant tracking system
- Be honest in your curriculum vitae
- What is most important is what you have accomplished in the recent five years or so; therefore, insert .relevant information
Tips on Cover Letter Writing
- Let the introduction be about your personal details, what you have acquired and why you are writing the cover letter.
- The body has to be about what you can offer to the company. That includes your skills, the requirements you can meet, and what else you can do.
How does the application process normally operate?
Firstly, before sending your curriculum vitae, ensure that you meet the minimum requirements, be aware of the closing dates and the post or job location. Once you have sent your curriculum vitae to the given company, the Human Resource Management team normally looks through the application systematically. Your curriculum vitae does not have five or ten minutes to be fully viewed and scrutinized if there is nothing you offer that the company needs. Please note that the company knows exactly what they need, and it is up to you to offer that. Your curriculum vitae has to include what the company requires and the skills in need. You need to note that you are competing with thousands of other applicants who need this position therefore your curriculum vitae and cover letter if needed meets the requirements and even exceeds it. The system will automatically cancel curriculum vitaes that do not meet the minimum requirements and that is why it is of paramount importance to know what the company needs. After the tracking of curriculum vitae, top applicants will be chosen and they will be listed to be interviewed and the process goes on through to the selection for the top applicant. If this is your desired career which I suppose it is, I would advise putting extra effort in your curriculum vitae. The process of application is therefore one that is tricky and in need of your extra effort due to the reason of other people applying for the very same position you are going after.
Closing Remarks
This is all a process. One that needs your patience, among other things. One needs to review their curriculum vitae or resumes now and then. It is of paramount importance that you keep up with ways the employers are using to post jobs, check the resumes or curriculum vitae, and employ them. The systems used are also essential. Affiliating yourself with how that works is an advantage. Be aware of the most common skills within your selected career choice. For instance, if you studied anything along the Information Technology lines, you need to know how to do certain specifics such as coding or using the Microsoft systems in depth. If it is Graphic Designing, you need to know how to use Adobe. These are skills that can be learned if not already known with today’s applications such as YouTube.
Some skills need no learning but must be engraved in a human being’s life, such as communication skills, problem-solving skills. It is these “little” things that employers pay attention to. In as much as no one has a right over your private life and your morals, they shall impact how you present yourself in the workplace. Job opportunities are increased by how we ended on the previous job as well. There is power in relationships and protecting good relationships, never to burn bridges so that you don’t become hindered in the future. Wishing every applicant the best of luck as they continue to find a suitable career for their lives at present. Do not reject anything too quickly. It might be the right career that will elevate you and give you growth!
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