The job market in all parts of the globe is incredibly competitive, and this is true whether you are seeking an entry level job just after graduating or completing your studies, or if you are an experienced worker with years of knowledge available. This means that you need to be sure that your CV or resume is as effective as possible (which means learning what contemporary employers want to see when gazing at the document) as well as learning some winning techniques for a job interview.

In this article, we are going to look at several key tips that will help you get the job you desire, even in a highly competitive company. Before we look at them, we have some basic suggestions that can make things much easier for you, and these include:

• Check your communication skills – Are you someone who speaks clearly, holds eye contact and projects confidence? If not, you must work on this before an interview.

• Are you clear about your workplace skills – Your resume doesn’t (and shouldn’t) speak for you. Take time to itemize all of your workplace skills in your thoughts so you can draw connections as you make your way through the interview.

• Master remaining calm – Body language always shows if we are nervous, so try to find ways to keep yourself calm during interviews. Preparing ahead is actually a great way to remain calm throughout.

• After that, you should do the following steps to ensure the very best outcome:
• Research the company AND the job – Too many people head into an interview knowing the details about the job and how they fit into that model. However, they may not know a lot about the firm. Know your interviewer’s name and job, learn about the company culture, find out the company’s mission…these are very important facts to have in your mind.

•  Relate – Though we said you need to be clear about workplace skills, before you head for an interview, take some time to actually list what the company wants, what the job requires and how your skills or experiences align with them. This allows you to be able to calmly speak about such issues when asked – and you will be asked.

• Follow up – A thank you and handshake is good, but don’t forget to write a thank you note to the interviewer. This lets you reiterate your interest in the job and shows you are a conscientious person. Be sure you do this within one business day of the interview.

These may seem like simple tips, but many experts say that candidates that “looked good on paper” did terribly in interviews. You can avoid this by preparing using these tips.

Written by: Malbert Rodrigues

Senior Recruitment Resourcer / Internship Program Manager