GETTING THE INTERVIEW MEANS GETTING THE JOB

30 Seconds to impress

Take the application process seriously and remember that you have only one chance to impress - and that chance lasts about 30 seconds. Recruiters/employers are swamped with thousands of job applications on a daily basis and will only spend approx 30 seconds screening each individual application received. These 30 seconds will decide whether you make it to the next round or not.

What gets taken into account in "30-seconds" ?

• Have you addressed the recruiter correctly on all your correspondence;
• SPELLING: Avoid making spelling mistakes on your job application and/or your CV;
• PROFESSIONALISM: Do not send out a CV document that you are not proud of - one that is in an unprofessional format;
• SIZE OF FILE: Don't ever send out very large attachments;
• MASS-MAILING: Never mass-mail your job-application (sending out one e-mail to more than one recipient);
• Avoid sending out your CV on positions you are clearly UNDER qualified for;
• Avoid sending out your CVs on positions you are clearly OVER qualified for;
• LANGUAGE USED: Do under NO circumstances use SMS lingo/codes on job application and/or any correspondence;
• PROCEDURES: Make sure to read the advert and don't ignore the advertised "application procedures ";
• Avoid sending out the same document to one recruiter/employer more than once;
• Avoid sending the same document & cover letter to the same recruiter/company for different positions on the same day and/or within a very short space of time;
• Do not think that phone etiquette, your ringtone, voice mail and the manner in which you answer your phone will not count against you ... because it will!
• Whilst seeking employment make sure you:
  • Always answer your phone;
  • Change your ringtone to a professional tone;
  • Change your voicemail message to a professional greeting;
  • Answer your phone as if you where answering a telephone in a corporate office;
  • Avoid using slang on the phone - business people do not say "HOWZIT" or ‘WHAZZUP" during business calls!