How to apply for your dream job...when your skills don't meet the job spec

You see your dream job being advertised but you don’t quite match the job specifications listed: should you still apply? 

Eighteen-year-old Georgia Goodman faced this scenario last year when she applied for a digital marketing graduate scheme, despite having no university degree. Instead she had three months’ experience in marketing via an apprenticeship.  

“I was pleased to be offered an interview and told that, although I wasn't a graduate, my passion and experience working within the B2B sector is what made my employer change his mind about the position they were advertising,” she explains. Georgia is now a digital marketing assistant at the Nottingham-based company and has been funded to complete a vocational qualification.

“You have to be in it to win it,” says Becky Mossman, a HR director at HireRight. Ambition like Georgia’s is one of the key things that employers look for and as long as it isn’t a wild pipe dream, it’s commendable. “A lot of the time candidates have more skills and experience than they even realise, the struggle is often when it comes to articulating those skills in a meaningful way,” she adds.  

“No one candidate is ever actually perfect,” points out Jon Gregory, editor of win-that-job.com. Any shortlist will therefore represent a spread of skills, qualifications and experiences and you could aim to fit on one end of that spread. 

Highlight your transferable skills
If you’re short on specifically required qualifications, show that a combination of your other qualifications and experience are at least as good, if not actually better, says Gregory. What else have you done that brings along sufficient relevant experience? Where do you bring something unexpected and potentially very valuable with you to the organisation? It could be a relevant foreign language, or an extra qualification, for example. 

Draw from your academic experience as well as your work experience and think about your transferrable skills, says Mohammed Rahman, business development and placements executive at London School of Business and Finance. He says: “As an example, customer service skills are needed in every profession and are important skills to have.” 
He adds: “A lot of companies promote opportunities with requirements and would be willing to consider and take on people who do not meet all the criteria but have an open mind regarding how far they are willing to go to train and learn on the job.”

Make a strong case at the start - and don’t be negative
Make a clear, strong case in the introductory summary about your overall suitability, and at all costs, avoid drawing attention to your shortfalls, says Gregory. “One sight of those will switch the reviewer to a negative mindset, reading on only in search of further justification to drop your application into the shredder.” Don’t be deceptive, just selective.

Demonstrate that this is your dream job
“This is the application that has to hit the back of the net, nothing can be standard,” says Mossman. For example, if it’s a creative role, do something big that sets you apart from the field and makes the recruiter question whether the pure job description match is what they really need. 

“If it’s really your dream job, then you should be able to make a clear case for why that is, and still come across as completely genuine”, she says. Think carefully about what skills you can bring to the table – they might be from a job you had five years ago, they might be from a sports team or hobby. If they apply, make it clear what you’ve gained from that experience, and why that’s as valuable as the tick box achievements that are on the job description. 

Do your research - and remember they will do theirs too
Gregory advises that candidates research deeply into the company before compiling an application or tailoring your CV. “You need to show that you really do understand the role, the challenges, why this role is important to the organisation as a whole and what it is about you that makes you viable to shortlist for interview,” he explains. If you can, speak to the HR people organising the selection process and your potential line manager. The more you can engage in a dialogue with people inside the organisation and breed familiarity, the better. 

While you do your research on the company, remember that the company might do research on you too. Perhaps most importantly of all, check your entire online presence to make sure the image you paint in the application is consistent across LinkedIn and your references, warns Mossman. “Otherwise, the hard work of wowing them will all be for nothing. “Employers don’t all admit to checking up on applicants via external channels, but it’s not uncommon for decision makers to use every means available to reassure themselves of their choice,” she explains. 

And finally, remember: there are upsides to applying even if you don’t get shortlisted. Rahman says: “Remember, you have nothing to lose. If it is a dream job then it is worth the time invested in applying. It will act as a good testing ground for future opportunities.” Recognise that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, even if that’s only a list of what you need to work at for next time a role like that comes up. 

How to use social media in your job search

How to use social media in your job search

Most employers and recruitment agencies today are using social media to source the right candidates, which means it should be a big part of your job search strategy.

On-line social network sites have become an essential forum to advertise your skills

and allow you to establish your social brand, network with people online, identify job opportunities, and turn those leads into real-life job opportunities.

Your CV is normally only seen by those to whom you have either sent it directly, or by recruiters who have paid for access to the candidate database of a recruitment website, so

by using social media sites in your job search you can increase the visibility of your professional profile and be seen by the wider world. It puts your skills and experience into the public domain and provides opportunities to network online with professionals from all kinds of different employment sectors.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn can be a valuable tool in your job search as businesses, recruiters and head-hunters will use LinkedIn to search for candidates for particular jobs and then approach them directly.

If you are actively job searching it is essential that you have an up to date LinkedIn profile.  Your LinkedIn profile is pretty similar to writing an online CV. However, the digital technology aspects of LinkedIn, offers some other useful features including Endorsements. Companies often use positive feedback from customers to persuade other potential buyers. LinkedIn takes this idea and allows you to include personal testimonials. Ask people you know, whether it is your manager, colleagues, customers, suppliers or friends to write a few positive words about your work capabilities on your LinkedIn page. You can make suggestions for the kind of thing you would like them to write. But the fact that another individual has taken the time to write positive things for and about you will be viewed by others as an indication of credibility and authenticity.

LinkedIn is not a replacement for a conventional CV but it has become a very useful, if not essential, complement to it. If you are, or aspire to be, in a professional role then you must join, as recruiters who receive your CV will check to see if you are also on LinkedIn. If you are not, they will assume that you are either technologically outdated or perhaps have got something to hide.

Twitter

Twitter is a public platform for people to post and exchange short messages. People use it to interact with other people or organisations they find interesting or useful, including attaching links or photos that they want to share with their Twitter community.

Businesses use it to promote their services, expertise and entice people to visit their website.  When using Twitter in your job search, be professional! Twitter is a very informal medium but do remember that if you are trying to attract the attention of recruiters and others in your field, then you must represent yourself in an attractive and professional light.

You don’t have to tweet yourself – you can just follow companies or topics and retweet. You can use your own tweets to show your interest in a particular career and tweet about current affairs in the sector you wish to work in.

Your Twitter profile should include a professional looking photo, an appropriate bio and a link to your CV, LinkedIn profile or website. Twitter is much more informal than LinkedIn or conventional CVs, but you should not underplay your skills and expertise.

Facebook

In April 2016, Facebook reported that they had 1.59 billion active users. This astonishingly successful social networking website allows users to create a personal profile, add other users as friends, and exchange messages within its community framework. You can also join groups, organise events and share photos and videos.

Although it’s a very informal medium and largely used by people for connecting with friends and family, it is increasingly being used by organisations for more commercial reasons. Many organisations use it to communicate with staff, customers and the wider public sometimes to get their comments and views. Some companies are also using it to recruit and vet potential candidates. On Facebook the boundaries between the personal and the professional can be very blurred, so make sure that you are always aware of what information about you can be accessed and by whom.

From a career perspective Facebook can be useful as it’s an easy way to ask your personal connections for information and advice about your career or job search and can also provide a resource of information on both individuals and companies. The informal nature of the site, and its interactivity, means that you can often obtain information and communicate with employers in a way that may not be possible elsewhere.

A word of warning though!  While social networking sites present excellent opportunities for recruitment, it also means that employers, both current and prospective, have become extremely sensitive to their employees’ web-presence.

Before you post any information in your own name on the web, consider whether you would be happy to have this information published in a national newspaper where your family, friends, current and future employers could see it. If not, then change it.

Here are some of the benefits of using social media in your job search

• You can apply for advertised roles easily and quickly
• You are more visible to recruiters who are using social media to advertise their jobs and source candidates
• You can build your network and engage with a wider audience across multiple social channels
• You can create positive PR by presenting testimonials, endorsements and presentations of your work onto your social media accounts, blog and/or website
• You can speak to recruiters, head-hunters and prospective employers throughout your job search by engaging with them across all channels in real time

Here is a summary of our top tips:

• Ensure your social media profiles state that you are actively job seeking and the type of role you are interested in, make sure you use keywords so recruiters can find you
• Follow relevant companies and individuals in your industry or network
• Get involved in LinkedIn Groups related to your industry and let me know the type of role you are looking for
• Initiate conversations with individuals and companies on any interesting topics related to your industry
• Keep your personal updates and professional updates on separate social media accounts

how to pick yourself up when you don’t get the job

You’ve been applying for dozens of jobs with no success and have just got your third rejection email of the week. Picking yourself back up and ploughing on with the job hunt can be tough for even the steeliest of people. Here are some tips from resilience coaches on how to restore confidence after such setbacks, and ultimately prepare yourself for job success. 

Remember, stress is caused by how we perceive a situation not the situation itself, says psychotherapist Rebecca Howard.  “We could choose to look at the fact that we haven’t got a job yet and it’s our third rejection as a negative - but all that would happen is our mindset would shift into a negative gear and take our resourcefulness and confidence down an unhelpful dead end.”

She advocates the NAC approach - Notice, Accept, Choose - a way of thinking which means we don’t get stuck with negative ruminating thoughts about how good, or not, we think we are.

Notice that you are experiencing thoughts of being fed up, down, angry or whatever it is that you are feeling as a result of the rejections. “In times of stress our thinking tends to polarise in rigid, ‘all or nothing’ positions, seeing everything in black and white,” explains Howard.

“The process of noticing its impact allows you to begin to step outside of it, almost as an observer, and acknowledge what is happening, which in turn releases you from the mind spending endless energy.”

Accept what has happened. Many of us will think, “Why is this happening to me?” but asking a negative question leads to a negative answer, Howard explains. “Acceptance is recognising that as human beings we experience emotions, such as disappointment, and it is pointless fighting them.”

Choose to use the negative energy or stress you are feeling as a result of your setback. Having connected with the motivation behind the stress, you can channel that energy in a positive way by asking, “What can I do right now?” and “How do I do it?”

Andy Cope, author of The Little Book of Emotional Intelligence, suggests that we come equipped with “ordinary magic” - an in-built ability to bounce back from adversity. It all comes down to your “explanatory style”, which is psychology speak for the way you explain to yourself why you’ve experienced an event - be it positive or negative.

If your reaction to a job rejection is, “It’s only a rejection letter, nobody died, let’s learn the lesson and move forward,” you’ve got an optimistic explanatory style. But if your response is to think, “Oh my gosh, rejection. It’s a disaster. I’m so rubbish. There’s no point applying for any more,” your explanatory style is negative. Clearly, the belief generated by your explanatory style directly affects your actions.

But as Cope explains, it’s possible to train your inner voice towards something more positive. He says: “It helps if you can learn to be your own best friend. On job rejections (we’ve all had them) I always tell myself, ‘Crikey, they’ve missed out.’”. Be your own cheerleader and champion and remember that all emotions have positive intent, according to Cope, even negative ones. “Despondency (feeling sorry for yourself) is temporary downtime while you renew your energy for whatever comes next. Which brings me full circle to your inner reserves of ‘ordinary magic’,” he says.

Geetu Bharwaney, author of Emotional Resilience advises speaking to your main supporters and champions in life and asking them what they would do in your shoes, after this job rejection, and follow their advice. “Know the difference between the people in your life who can provide you with intelligent input from those who are likely to impose unrealistic assumptions on you,” she says. Approach the people you respect and whose opinions matter to you. “Some people will tell you it was either the wrong job or the wrong employer, so this action helps you to keep things in perspective.”

Finally, take the time to review your life experiences and achievements so far and make a list of positive “I” statements - things you can do, your strengths and what you are good at. Bharwaney explains: “When you are going to speak to anyone about your challenges, including your close colleagues, remind yourself of at least three of these affirmations, so that you can stay grounded in what you are good at during the dialogue. This will enable you to be your best self despite the current set-back.”

Five courses to help you get ahead in your career

Continuing professional development courses provide opportunities for professionals looking for a new challenge or to add skills to their repertoire. Here are five courses that can help you get ahead in your career.

Build your own website 

Gaining an internet presence and marketing yourself, your business or your skills can provide a huge career boost.sole traders and those creating a business as a sideline to their day job.

"It really demystifies what the internet is for people." The tutor introduces and demonstrates the tools for using WordPress and students develop their website to fit them, in the class and at home.

Some use the course to build a business while others use it as a taster for a degree, or to add basic web skills to their CV. Students will also learn to thinking creatively about how to enhance their website and social media presence.

One of the biggest advantages of the course, is building confidence to use those skills. "It's really about getting them to practice on WordPress without feeling that they're going to break it every time they change something."


Effective communications

"When you're working day-to-day, sending emails and writing copy, it's easy to forget that writing is difficult.For those who have to write as part of their job but aren't natural writers,constructing emails, writing engaging subject lines, and compiling information into an accessible document or report.

In the interactive course, the tutor sets practical exercises for the group to reinforce learning. "There are people who are really effective public speakers but can't always communicate well in writing. Even if people wanted to write a clear CV that emphasises their skills.

The course could also provide a stepping stone into a variety of communications-based roles; copywriting, marketing, PR or civil service positions where writing reports is a large part of the work.


Accounting 

The first accounting levels open up basic accounting positions, as an assistant accountant, ledger clerk, or a role in reconciliation. The higher level courses enable students to gain work in the finance department of a company."Many students become self-employed, starting their own companies or accountancy practices."


Applied Behavioural Analysis 

The Applied Behavioural Analysis programme is about understanding why people behave in the way they do, with a focus on intellectual or developmental disabilities, and autism.

"The course is ideal if you're in a position where you can immediately apply what you're learning on the course. The course is suited to a range of careers but is particularly relevant to professionals working with people who have intellectual disabilities, such as teachers, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and others working in health and social care.

The course provides the skills to teach a child with autism how to do some of the things they might not learn automatically, or to assess the behaviour of an adult with learning disabilities whose behaviour is challenging or difficult to manage.

For teachers, this course can provide promotion or specialisation opportunities, and for recent graduates "it opens up the potential to get jobs in health, social care and education that they otherwise wouldn't be able to get, as a teaching assistant, a tutor for young children with autism, or in a behaviour support role for adults with disabilities".


Medical decision making

Understanding ethics is important for most jobs and for those working in healthcare a course can be beneficial as a refresher or to fine-tune existing skills.

While increasing familiarity with various guidelines and statutes "we also want participants to start thinking more critically about their own divisions on a day-to-day level".

Advertisement Past students say that the course has made a significant different to their careers. Having started out as medics some are now working towards a more legal career and others work on ethics committees.

"The course adds depth to a CV and makes people better suited to the type of jobs out there."I think it makes jobseekers that little bit more shiny to potential employers."


To find more courses to benefit your career, click here.

Most Keys to succeed in a telephonic interview

In a world where jobs are no longer restricted by political and geographical boundaries, several companies today are conducting phone interviews to short-list candidates before calling them in for a face-to-face interaction.

A phone interview has several advantages both for the employer and candidate. It is typically shorter than a face-to-face interview, allowing the interviewer to save on time.

For the candidate, who has the advantage of remaining unseen, a phone interview allows the use of cue cards and cheat sheets, as well as access to the Internet.

Here are 10 phone interview tips to help you ace your phone interview:

1. Choose a good spot
Companies generally tell you in advance when they will be calling. Choose a room where you can speak without disruption. Shut out other noises like TV and radio, take the kids away and lock the room from inside. Ask your family members not to disturb you when the interview is in progress. Get a good phone -- preferably a landline. You don’t want calls to drop at this time.  

2. Keep documents handy
Get a hard copy of your resume and cover letter and keep it ready. Keep pen and paper handy to take down notes. You could even keep your laptop on in case you want to refer to the Internet. But take care to be discreet -- don’t hammer away loudly at the keys of your computer.

3. Use a cheat sheet
One of the great advantages of a phone interview is invisibility. Prepare for expected questions in advance and jot down points on a piece of paper. Write clearly and legibly since you will be referring to it under pressure. Practice the answers to expected questions beforehand and prepare for any derivative question that may arise as well.

4. Be in a positive frame of mind
This may seem odd, but smile! Though the interviewer cannot see you, it is not difficult to sense your mood over the phone. If you feel happy, bright and enthusiastic, this will reflect in your voice. Some experts also suggest dressing for the interview. If you think this will put you in the right frame of mind for the interview, go right ahead and slip into formal clothes.

5. Do your homework
You’ve already visited the company portal while writing your cover letter, so you have a sense of what the organization is about. This may be a good time to go back to the portal and brush up on that knowledge. If you know the name of your interviewer, you could also search him/her on the Internet to learn more about him/her.

6. Treat the interview like a face-to-face interaction
It is easy to fall into the trap of not taking a phone interview as seriously as a face-to-face interview. But remember, this is a process of elimination as well. It will be unfortunate if you were eliminated at this stage because you did not take the interview seriously enough. Prepare for a phone interview as you would for a face-to-face interaction.

7. Ask intelligent questions
After he/she is done with the interview, your interviewer will typically ask if you have any questions. This is a chance for you to showcase your intelligence. You could ask questions on the role you are being interviewed for, company branding or its strategy to beat market slump. Asking questions that tell the employer you are serious about this role.

8. Don't bring up salary
It is too early at this stage to bring up salary and perks. The company is still assessing your suitability for the job. Salary discussions generally take place in the final stages of the hiring process. So hold your horses till then!

9. Ask if the interviewer has other questions
Asking the interviewer if he/she has any other questions is a good way to round up the discussion. This will give him/her a chance go back to the list of questions and see if something has been left out. If there are no more questions, ask what the next step will be in the hiring process.

10. Say thank you
Don’t forget to say thank you, even if the interview has gone badly. Some experts even recommend sending a short thank you note to the interviewer a day after the interview.

You may spend a lot of time talking on the phone, but that does not equip you to master a phone interview. So keep these pointers in mind to get one step closer to the job.

Top trick for job:How to impress any interviewer?

A good resume will get you a foot in the door. But once in, it’s the interview that will seal the deal for you. Which is why it’s important that you are fully prepared about how to present yourself when you go in to meet a prospective employer.

One important thing to remember is that the interviewer isn’t only looking at your professional qualifications, but also your soft skills. The fact that they have called you for an interview means they already believe you have the basic qualifications for the job. Now they want to ascertain whether you actually know the job, and whether they would like to work with you or not. You will now be marked on aspects like your personality, conduct, maturity, integrity and resourcefulness.

While interviewing is largely a subjective exercise, there are some commonalities that all recruiters tend to favour. Which is why it’s important that you:

Pay close attention to your appearance

The first thing interviewers notice is how you are dressed. Dressing for an interview usually depends on the industry you’re in. If you are in, say, the media or the entertainment industry, it is okay to turn up in smart casuals. For most other sectors, however, a formal dress code is necessary. Dressing shabbily or inappropriately will earn you massive negative points.

Project likeability…

Interviewers want to see if you can be part of a team. Along with your professional skills, they will also evaluate you for your likeability, emotional quotient, agreeability and ability to remain calm under pressure. Above all, they will want to see whether you fit into the company culture.

…and the right attitude

We have all heard the pithy phrases that go around about the importance of having the right attitude at work and they are all true. That is why interviewers place a premium on attitude during an interview. They want to see that you have the temperament, drive and enthusiasm for the job, as well as a solid work ethic.

Highlight your resume with anecdotes

The interviewer will ask you questions about your career trajectory to evaluate how the job fits in with your overall career plan. In keeping with the trend of the behaviour interview, which is becoming increasingly common these days, they will also ask you questions regarding how you tackled different work situations in the past. They will expect sensible answers which show maturity, grace under pressure and an ability to think things through. Of course, if you have a fun (but appropriate!) anecdote to throw in and break the ice a little, by all means use it.

Watch your posture and body language

A good part of communication takes place through non-verbal means. So mind your body language. Interviewers will compare what you say to them with what your body language seems to convey. Take care to appear pleasant and enthusiastic at all times, smile and don’t forget to maintain eye contact. Maintain a good posture at all times since slouching may convey a casual and laidback attitude.

Show them integrity

Integrity is an important virtue and interviewers will no doubt want to gauge whether you have professional integrity or not. Integrity refers to the ability to be honest at all times, especially to yourself. Interviewers will assess you for your professional maturity, objectivity and your ability to be honest with yourself.

Display your knowledge and intelligence

Interviewers will want to know how much you know about the company and the role you will be expected to play. While they know that you have the basic qualifications for the job, they will now test your intelligence and professional competence. They will also expect you to know something about the company to assure them that you have thought through your decision of applying for the post. But remember, don’t get carried away showing off how smart you are. Which brings us to the next point.

Demonstrate an ability to listen

While the objective of an interview is to get the candidate to talk, it is also important to listen. Pay attention to the interviewer’s questions and answer candidly without evading any of the questions. While it is okay to keep your answer short or shift to a related topic while answering, don’t steer clear of the question since the interviewer will immediately catch on. Be polite and let the interviewer speak when he wants to.

Top 10 Best Success Tips for Women Entrepreneurs

Success is a combination of thinking right and doing right.

1.Be optimist
2.Avoid Big Mistakes
        1.No cost to low cost – Use social media liked Facebook; twitter etc. to drive your business.
        2.It is a proven fact that entrepreneurs are today driving economies. Why? We are able to think              fast on our feet, we can make changes as needed when we see the markets change. During                    recession in 2008, it was “dinosaur” companies suffered the most as they tend to move slowly.
        3.Bring in flexibility in our working style. Maintain a work life balance.
        4.Never design your lifestyle around your work, instead design business around your                        lifestyle. Then work becomes your passion.
5.Turn your passion into profits. Purpose of business is actually to make profits  and not                          make it a “Secret Hobby”.
3.Provide products & services which audience really “WANTS”. Wants are bigger than needs…trust      me we indulge more in wants than needs
4.Business model needs to be efficient and self-sufficient. Cost to Income ratio needs to work in your    favor.
5.Learn to embrace risks.
1.Get out of your comfort zone.
2.Get comfortable being uncomfortable.
6.Stay out of fear – Stay in faith.
1.Have faith in yourself. Believe in yourself
2.Grow as far as your greatest fear.
3.Biggest fear makes you uncomfortable to be able to reach that big success.Success we seek                 will only come when we move through the fear.
7.Learn from inspiring people and surround yourself with people who are there where you want to be.
1.Invest in training, education, coaching – Invest in yourself.
2.You are the average of five people who surround you the most.
3.Master mind: Having a group of successful entrepreneurs with whom you                                would learn and share.
                4.Not everyone will support your success. Don’t get distracted by criticism. Holding back                      hurts no one but you.
8.Time: we all have 24 hours but how one utilizes it are what makes one rich.
9.Marketing yourself is more important than mastery of your skills.
             1.There are many masters of your trade better than you but are not commercially successful                   because people don’t know them.
             2.If you don’t know how to get word around you won’t be able to get clients.
             3.Important to understand how lead generation from offline and online prospects can be                         converted to buyers and then to repeat buyers.
10.Make decisions not from where you are but where you want to be.