Is Your Instagram Feed Full Of Crazy Party Photos? This May Be One Of The Reasons Why You Were Not Invited To An Interview

How to become an ideal candidate even in unfavourable conditions? Increase your chances of success with good preparation. You could have studied the desired field and have relevant work experience, but a small detail like grammatical errors in your CV can cost you an invitation to an interview.

If you are still studying

You can begin your career during your studies. Many companies offer junior positions to students in their final years. This way you will gain work experience, you will earn money and it is very likely that you will be offered a full-time role after school. Companies often contact schools with a similar focus directly, but don't rely on that. Actively search for opportunities and choose the offer that best suits your focus.

Gain knowledge while you wait

We won't lie to you, the process of finding the ideal job can take months. During this period, you can add skills to your CV and maximise your chances of success. Language or marketing courses start at hundreds of euros and not every graduate can fit this into their budget. However, you can get a lot of knowledge for free.

YouTube videos will help you learn the Adobe suite, you can use Google's digital garage to improve your marketing knowledge, and you can improve your English or German via language apps. Crash courses might not be enough for everything, but they are a good start. Do you want to improve more? Read. Not the latest Dan Brown, but relevant books from you field. This will also prove to your future employer, that you are dedicated to your education and self-development.

Find out, who you are

For many people, one of the toughest interview questions is talking about your strengths and weaknesses. These words are the basis of almost every selection process, so you should know the answer as soon as possible.

It is not easy to evaluate yourself, recognize what you are good at and at the same time admit your mistakes, so it is very likely that you will need help. Ask acquaintances or classmates and use them as a mirror to help you create an overall picture. Another option is a personality test. You will find out which category you belong to and what you have the potential to excel in. 

Do not be ashamed to admit negative qualities or shortcomings during the interview, present them as opportunities for further improvement. Be yourself and don't try to play the perfect candidate.

Don't forget social media

LinkedIn is one of the first things an HR manager will open if they decide to look into your candidacy. Don't have a profile? Take a break from reading these lines and set one up. On LinkedIn, you not only present your "working self", but you also learn all the essential information about the company, which you will need for an interview.

Instagram, TikTok or Facebook provide a future employer with an insight into your privacy. Will they be satisfied with the way you present yourself? Go through your feed a few times and delete everything that shouldn't be there. 

A good resume is half the battle

The company's HR manager first gets to know your resume and then you. This is the main reason why you have to make the most of this piece of paper, and make sure to entice him to want to know more about you. Think of it like a Tindre profile, if your description isn't engaging, there won't be a match. It is understandable that you want to show yourself in the best light, but avoid lies. The truth will come out in an interview or at work.

Update your CV regularly, adapt it for a specific job. For example, if you are interested in a job in marketing, highlight all the skills and information that are suitable for this job. Feel free to skip the summer jobs where all you did was drink beer at the swimming pool. Many people feel the need to list all their hobbies at the end. It's nice that you enjoy traveling, hiking or baking, but you can summarize all this information in one sentence. Keep in mind that the resume should fit on one page.

Some companies require something extra with the resume - a letter of motivation or cover letter. It is a short stylistic which should attract the recruiter to invite you for an interview. The CV should talk about your education and experience, the cover letter should highlight your motivation to work for the company, your suitability for the field and the ways in which you will enrich the team.

You should study for an interview

Before you arrive at the interview, study the company culture, values and competition. Try to get the feel of what their work is about and what candidate would be a good fit. When you are given the opportunity to ask questions, this your chance to show that you know something about the company and are interested in what they do. 

Job hunting is frustrating, and can sometimes seem like a never-ending process. Instead of waiting for an opportunity to fall into your lap, use this time to develop and improve what you can.