Increase your chances of finding your dream job with these 6 tips

Did you know that hobbies such as cooking or an international holiday could increase your employability?

Hiring managers look for more than just a university degree when it comes to finding their perfect candidate so why not take some time away from the books to focus on landing your dream job!

With over 12 years of experience within the recruitment industry, we know a thing or two about what it takes to impress a hiring manager. Here’s a compilation of our top tips that will improve your employability and land you your dream job.

1. Gain hands-on experience in a real-world context

Did you know that around 75% of employers require candidates to have work experience in areas such as part-time jobs, internships, volunteering, etc.?

Well, there is a reason for that! The theories and content you learn in universities are useful, however, limited when you can’t apply them to real-life cases and context. What better way to be exposed to current industry trends and issues than to be working right within the industry? Additionally, work experience exposes and equips you not just with technical knowledge but also with soft skills that are essential in any workplace.

Some ways to gain hands-on experience include finding internships, joining university societies, and volunteering.

a) Internships

Internships allow you to gain valuable insights about the company you work for and the industry that you want to go into. During your internship, I would encourage you to catch up with your colleagues over coffee to hear about their experiences and learn about what their challenges and highlights are in their jobs. This allows you to gain exclusive insights that can help you figure out which pathway you want to head into, and which companies would align with your values and goals.

In a competitive industry, internships enable you to gain an advantage in the job market, making you stand out to future employers which is essential to increase your overall employability.

b) University society

Get involved in your university! This is the perfect place to figure out what interests you. Additionally, university clubs allow you to be surrounded by like-minded students who are passionate in areas that you are too. Being in a community like this will keep you motivated and up to date with any internship opportunities or networking events. Furthermore, it helps you to develop your support network consisting of friends that are happy to give you advice or tips when you need them.

c) Volunteer

Volunteering is an amazing way to broaden your knowledge and shape your outlook whilst contributing to a worthy cause. Furthermore, it enables you to show your future employer what your values and passions are.

2. Invest in your own learning

Investing in yourself is the most important investment decision you can make!

So go ahead and start that online course and study for those certificates. While this will take time and commitment, I assure you that the long-term gains outweigh all the costs. Not only do these courses allow you to develop your business acumen, but it also improves your self-learning ability which is greatly valued across all professions.

A study conducted by the globally established human resource consulting firm, Robert Half, revealed that 84% of Human Resource managers in their company are “open to hiring an employee whose skills can be developed through training”. The ability to pick up new skills and the willingness to learn new things are crucial in a society that is rapidly growing and changing. The only thing that is constant is change. Thus, we may as well grow to love change and thrive under it.

3. Build your professional social media profile

If your future employer searched your name on multiple social media platforms, would they be concerned or content with what they find?

Go through your Instagram or Facebook and have a scroll through your profile. Archive and untag yourself from any posts you wouldn’t want your potential employer to find.

Additionally, in a digital age like today, LinkedIn acts as your online resume. So, keep your LinkedIn profile up to date with your education and work achievements. This can help you to attract any potential employer, network with industry experts and discover any work opportunities in which you are interested. Furthermore, many employers would cross-check your resume with your LinkedIn profile. If there is a substantial difference between them, it is highly likely that this would raise a red flag to your employer.

4. Grow your professional network

In Jobvite’s 2019 Job Seeker Survey , statistics showed that 35% of participants have found a job through postings via social media, nearly 50% heard about job opportunities from friends and 37% say they’ve found work from their professional networks.

When it comes to finding a job, it is not only about what you know, but also about “who” you know.

As mentioned throughout this blog, you can develop your professional network through university clubs, networking events and even on LinkedIn. If there is a particular industry or role you are passionate about, don’t hesitate to reach out and message industry professionals on LinkedIn or chat with the attendees of a networking session. Most likely, they will be more than happy to give you some advice as they would have also been in your position before.

5. Pick up a hobby

Ever wanted to pick up a new hobby but told yourself “I don’t have the time for that, I need to find a job and prepare for interviews”?

What if I told you starting a hobby and increasing employability are not mutually exclusive but rather go hand in hand? Picking up a hobby demonstrates initiative and a passion for learning. Additionally, it will give you topics to talk about when they ask you to introduce yourself.

Here are a few hobbies to consider picking up:

• Coding
• Joining a book club
• Cooking or baking
• Learning a musical instrument
• Joining a local sports team
• Painting, sewing, or crafting

6. Gain global experience

Does your university offer exchange programs? Go apply for it!

Want to travel in the holidays? Go for it!

When travelling overseas, you are surrounded by a different culture, people with different perspectives, and a new way of thinking and living. Thus, global experiences not only broaden your horizon, but it also develops your ability to view a situation through multiple lenses. The skill of thinking outside of the box will boost your employability and increase your chances of being successful after a job interview.

Furthermore, stepping outside of your comfort place and familiar surroundings will help you develop independence, maturity and other important life skills that would enhance your professional and personal life.

If you’re after more advice on how to improve your employability, reach out to one of our recruiters today!