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Your CV (curriculum vitae, or resume) can make the difference between landing your dream job and being ignored. Even if you have the skills and experience that match the position you’re applying for, your potential employer will likely overlook you if your CV isn’t up to par with everyone else’s in the applicant pool. Here are five tips on how to present your CV for the job you want, regardless of your skills.

Introduction

It doesn’t matter if you have special knowledge or experience. The most important part is how well can you translate that into English. The method I am going to show here is different from what others teach. I believe mine is simpler and more powerful because it requires no software, nor a lot of time. Let’s begin.

Should I type or write it?

You should always type out your CV. Rushing through a physical version is far too easy. On top of that, you can easily spell check it and make sure that everything is completely accurate. There are enough spelling mistakes on CVs as it is; yours won’t be one of them. If a recruiter has any questions about anything in your resume or experience, they’ll call or email; don’t worry about covering everything in-depth on paper.

The Right Fonts

When creating a professional looking resume, it’s important to choose fonts that match the criteria. Large and bold fonts may look more eye-catching but can also be harder to read. Make sure your font is clear and easy on the eyes. Also avoid using too many fonts in one document; just stick with one or two so they don’t fight each other.

10 Things You Should Include in Your Resume

When writing a resume (CV), there is no one-size-fits-all rule. After all, two candidates can have identical qualifications and experience but end up with resumes that are quite different. Still, it’s good to know what a hiring manager wants so that you can better tailor your resume and land more interviews. Many people still believe that less is more when it comes to writing a great resume—and some experts agree.

The Important Sections in Your Resume

Your resume is a document that gives recruiters and hiring managers an overview of your entire career. As such, it needs to be clear and concise so people can quickly scan through it. To help achieve that goal, make sure to include these sections: a cover letter, headline (or career objective), professional experience and education. Your cover letter should introduce yourself and explain why you’re interested in working for your desired company.

Do’s and Don’ts of a Resume

There are certain aspects that can turn away recruiters and hiring managers. Knowing what’s inappropriate will allow you to effectively prepare a resume for potential employers. Here are some important do’s and don’ts when it comes to creating a resume: Do: • Include a personal profile, listing relevant achievements. • Select an appropriate formatting style (chronological or functional). • Use keywords from the job posting in your resume summary section.

Conclusion

Presenting a CV is always an important step when looking for a new job and it’s one that’s often overlooked or dealt with in a way that doesn’t leave much room for creativity. However, by thinking out of the box and being brave enough to make some changes, any candidate can ensure they stand out from other applicants and score themselves an interview.

No matter how well you prepare, it’s not uncommon to find yourself in an interview situation where you just don’t perform as well as you expected or needed to, or the job isn’t what you had in mind at all. However, you can come out of the interview situation feeling much better about yourself than when you went in if you follow some tried and true strategies for recovery after a bad interview.

1) Understand why you messed up

If you take some time to self-reflect, you’ll be able to determine why your interview didn’t go well. This way, you can figure out what you need to change about yourself before your next interview. For example, maybe you were late or looked disheveled—both of which will send up red flags for an interviewer. Once you know how your last interview went so wrong, it should be easy for you to understand what went wrong in any future interviews and practice accordingly.

2) Focus on what you can learn from this interview

There’s nothing you can do about an interviewer who didn’t like you. Instead, think about what went wrong and how it will help you improve in future interviews. Most people think they failed because they didn’t get along with their interviewer; however, research has shown that only 7% of interviewers end up making hiring decisions based on personal chemistry or fit. As long as you can handle your job well, research has also shown that being likable does not predict job performance.

3) Continue your search

It’s easy to feel discouraged and beat yourself up after a bad interview, but don’t. There’s no reason for self-loathing; you didn’t know what you were getting into before sitting down with your prospective employer—so don’t take it personally. A better way is to look at everything as an opportunity for learning and change.

4) Evaluate your preparation

Have you practiced interview questions with your friends or family? Your interviewer can tell if you’re not confident with answering certain questions, so do yourself a favor and practice thoroughly. Also, make sure that you read up on your prospective employer! The more informed you are about their mission statement and services/products offered, the better equipped you’ll be in answering interview questions about why you want to work for them.



5) Learn from the process

If you’ve recently had an interview that didn’t go as well as you hoped, it can be tempting to beat yourself up and feel like your confidence is shattered. However, there are ways of learning from your experience, improving on what you did wrong, and hopefully landing your dream job. Use these steps as guidance so that next time things go better in an interview.

6) Take some time off and relax

The best way to recover from a bad interview is to take some time off. You need some time alone to relax, regroup and refocus on your job search. Spend time with family and friends instead of worrying about getting back into the job market immediately after an interview that didn’t go as planned. Take care of yourself and allow yourself some down time because you deserve it!

7) Be more prepared for the next interview.

Think you’re done with an interview after you’ve left? Think again. The act of interviewing is not just something that happens when you meet with your potential employer; it can happen before and after as well. Before and after each interview, take time to review what happened, see where you could have improved or what questions could have been asked, even though they weren’t.

8) Treat yourself with something positive

If you just got back from an interview where things didn’t go as well as you’d hoped, treating yourself with something positive can make a world of difference. Go get your nails done or grab a drink with friends—whatever gets you happy and feeling like yourself again! You are not a failure; you simply need to pick yourself up, learn from your mistakes, and keep going. The next interview will be great.

9) Get help from family or friends if needed.

Rejection is hard, and if you don’t have anyone in your life who can talk you through things after an interview, it can be very easy to slip into negative thinking. Instead of dwelling on all of your mistakes, try getting help from family or friends if needed. They’ll be able to refocus your energy and attention on what matters: preparing for your next interview.



10) Stay Positive and Focus On Other Opportunities.

Everyone’s had an interview that didn’t go so well. Even if you feel like you bombed, it doesn’t mean there isn’t hope. Focus on ways you can improve next time and look for other opportunities—there are always other options. Start by identifying what went wrong during your last interview: Were you late? Did you not know what was expected of you? Was there some other reason for why things didn’t go so well?

Conclusion

The interview process can be nerve-wracking and stressful. While you might not be able to control how well you think, speak, or answer questions during an interview, you can control your recovery by following these 10 tips. With preparation, a positive attitude, and these recovery strategies in hand, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t earn that dream job offer!

There are plenty of jobs in the world that don’t require you to have a college degree to hold them down. There are more options than you might think, and if you’re not ready to go back to school just yet, you can still find some great work opportunities if you know where to look! Here are five of the best jobs you can get without a degree in South Africa!

Retail Assistant

A retail assistant is usually one of several entry-level positions for people without degrees. If you’re hardworking, organized and eager to learn, a job at retail may be just what you need to get your foot in the door while you continue pursuing your degree. Retail assistants are often tasked with assisting customers on site or working with suppliers and shipping departments—and since they have direct interaction with customers, they can quickly rise up through management ranks if they show leadership skills and motivation.

Personal Assistant

One of our favorite jobs without a degree is being someone’s personal assistant. This job involves coordinating schedules, fulfilling requests, and giving direction to another person or team. While you need to possess incredible people skills for any position in management, being someone’s PA doesn’t require that you have higher education—all it takes is some basic computer skills and an eye for detail. The best part about being someone’s PA?

Kitchen Porter

A kitchen porter assists in food preparation, by keeping cooking areas clean, sanitary and organized. A kitchen porter also needs to keep work areas stocked with supplies needed for ongoing food preparation tasks. Kitchen Porter earns an average salary of R1 884 per month, says BLS data. In order to get a job as a kitchen porter you need no formal qualifications – just relevant experience or relevant skills.

Freelance Writer

Freelance writing is an ideal choice for those who have a natural flair for storytelling, creativity and communication. Freelance writers often specialize in one particular subject matter or content area. For example, if you’re interested in travel and history, you might write about travel destinations or historic places to visit on your own blog, website or magazine. Or if you want to work as a copywriter or content marketer, freelance writing can be an excellent entry-level opportunity.

Receptionist

There are many functions of a receptionist. They not only greet clients, they schedule appointments, and serve as customer service representatives who handle phone calls and complaints. Some receptionists may be asked to take messages when more than one person is out of their office. Companies that want to keep their patients coming back often look for people with excellent communication skills, because those make good receptionists.

Are you employed in South Africa? Are you looking to obtain some form of credit, but can’t seem to find any lenders who are willing to work with you? Are your friends and family members constantly telling you that they don’t want to give you money because they know how likely it is that you will just spend it all on things like gambling and alcohol? Well, if this sounds familiar, fear not! There are many companies that specialize in providing financial services specifically to employees and others who are unable to qualify for credit through other lenders.

No #1 – Standard Bank

Not just another lender, Standard Bank has evolved over its 180 years into one of the best and most reliable financial institutions in Africa. It has fully embraced sustainability, especially economic empowerment as evidenced by its Loan to employees program. The bank is an integrated financial services provider offering a complete range of banking and insurance products as well as asset management solutions. Standard Bank is headquartered in Johannesburg, with a presence in 53 countries across six continents.

No #2 – First National Bank

More than simply giving loans to employees, First National Bank also helps them figure out how they can manage their cash flow and start planning for their financial future. Loans from FNB are tailored for people who need help with debt consolidation or bridging gaps between paychecks. As with any loan, though, it’s important to know what you’re getting into and consider carefully whether you can afford it. It might be a good idea, too, to look at some of your other debts before taking on more; after all, if you’re struggling under multiple monthly payments and carrying credit card balances as well as overdraft protection on your bank account then taking out another loan is probably not going to be helpful in resolving your situation.

No #3 – Absa Group

If you’re looking for a loan from an established, credible, and respected financial institution, look no further than Absa Group. Having been around since 1934, Absanow has made its name through consistently offering high-quality products and outstanding customer service. Whether you’re an employee or business owner looking for a personal loan, home loan, vehicle loan, student loan or even a credit card; there’s probably something available at Absanow that will suit your needs. Best of all: they give loans to employees.

No #4 – Investec Group

Investec Group is a global financial services group operating in over 50 countries across four continents. The company offers a wide range of wealth management, banking and insurance solutions. Through these various offerings, Investec Group serves more than 7 million customers globally. Not only does Investec offer competitive salaries and other benefits, but also it helps employees achieve their financial goals with its employee loan program. Investec Group offers personal loans at competitive rates ranging from 6 percent APR (Annual Percentage Rate) up to 12 percent APR depending on qualifications and term length selected. In addition, loans are available up to R10 million. Borrowers can request amounts between R5 000 and R10 million for loan terms between three months and five years.

No #5 – FNB Insurance

FNB Insurance is one of South Africa’s leading insurance companies and is part of First National Bank, one of SA’s biggest banks. FNB started out as a workers compensation company but has now branched out into general insurance for cars, homes and business. As an employee you could qualify for an interest-free loan from them, and if you don’t want to pay it back, they won’t force you – they just give it away! But please keep your finances in order! 🙂 Please note that you will not be charged any administration fees or other nonsense when taking out a loan with FNB Insurance.

Conclusion

Perhaps, one of these companies will catch your eye as a potential place to work. If so, you can apply with them and take advantage of their employee loan program. You may even be able to negotiate a higher salary so you can pay back your loan sooner. No matter which company you choose, it’s always good advice to spend time searching for loans instead of taking out payday loans or paying interest on high-interest credit cards. These loan options will not only save you money but they also give you more freedom when it comes to planning what bills are paid first and when your next paycheck is received. That way, if you have an emergency expense come up in between paychecks, like a car repair or home repair job gone wrong, then you have an option!

Working in the insurance industry can be both rewarding and challenging, but one thing that’s often overlooked by aspiring insurance agents is the fact that finding a job in this industry isn’t easy. Since it’s such a huge field with plenty of companies, it can be difficult to stand out and land your first job at an insurance company, especially if you have no experience. But don’t fret, because we did the hard work for you! Here are ten of the top insurance companies that hire a lot of people in South Africa.

1) Old Mutual

This insurance company has over 6 300 employees worldwide. In South Africa alone, they have 882 employees and are hiring. It’s possible to work your way up in one of their many leadership positions – you could be on your way to running an entire branch! They hire more workers each year, and they’re always looking for eager applicants ready to jump into action. Old Mutual is responsible for some life-changing policies; it works hard at making sure every policy is what its customers need it to be.

2) Liberty Holdings Limited

Headquartered in Pretoria, Liberty Holdings Limited is South Africa’s largest insurance provider. With more than 2,5 million customers and 1 400 employees, Liberty offers a wide range of financial services to individuals, companies and institutions. It’s particularly well known for its range of life insurance policies as well as its vehicles and home loan financing.

3) FirstRand Limited

FirstRand Limited is an investment holding company. The Company offers various financial products and services. It operates through two segments: Financial Services, which includes banking and insurance; and Corporate, which includes holdings activities and investments across a range of industries, as well as treasury services for government entities. FirstRand was founded on January 19, 2000 and is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.

4) Bidvest Group Limited

Since inception Bidvest has invested over R10 billion into acquisitions, during which time it has established itself as one of South Africa’s largest and most successful companies. It is now listed on stock exchanges in London, Johannesburg and Cape Town and is considered to be one of South Africa’s top 100 companies. With more than 32 000 employees across its operations, Bidvest today services a diverse range of customers including multinational corporations and government departments. For its part, Bidvest aims to provide quality service while offering long-term value to all stakeholders. Its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is one measure that helps it achieve just that. Established in 1981 with 100 000 equity shares allocated for employee ownership.

5) Brand New Day Group

New Day Group is one of South Africa’s most successful insurance companies. It was first established as New Day Compensation and has now grown to become one of South Africa’s most trusted names for both personal and business insurance. The company currently employs close to 200 individuals, but it’s looking to expand its workforce. If you’re interested in working for an industry leader that can provide security and stability for your family, then you should consider applying for positions at New Day Group today.

6) FNB – Rand Merchant Bank

FNB is South Africa’s largest financial services group. It has more than 1,700 branches and employs more than 70,000 people across Africa. In terms of assets, it has R526bn worth of assets under management. RMB employs 18, 000 people while FNB itself as an entity employs just over 65,000 people countrywide with its head office in Johannesburg. The company offers one of South Africa’s best pension plans that provides more than 90% coverage to employees who contribute. They also offer an Employee Share Ownership Plan and are committed to promoting Black Economic Empowerment (BEE).

7) Allan Gray Investment Management (SA) Limited

One of South Africa’s largest investment managers, Allan Gray employs over 300 people. Headquartered in Sandton, it has offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The company was founded by Allen C. Gray – who also happens to be one of South Africa’s most celebrated entrepreneurs – after he found himself dissatisfied with his previous employer’s product offerings. Today, more than 30 years later, Allan Gray is one of SA’s most successful financial institutions; according to its website, it manages over R200 billion worth of assets on behalf of 40 000 clients (more than 70% are retail investors). It serves 16 countries across four continents.

8) Investec Asset Management (Pty) Ltd.

This company is well-known for its affinity for employing people from various regions within South Africa. The employees who work there do so because they are given proper training and are given opportunities to advance into better roles, making Investec Asset Management (Pty) Ltd. one of those top 10 insurance companies that hires a lot of people in SA. In order to be considered as an employee by Investec Asset Management (Pty) Ltd., one must first pass their current job market exam after which candidates will be invited to an interview. To get ahead at Investec Asset Management (Pty) Ltd., it’s vital that you stay on top of your game and your prospective field.

9) AEGON Life South Africa

The first thing that stands out when you visit AEGON Life’s website is how easy it is to find information on their range of insurance products. The company’s site is clean and intuitive and guides visitors through what they need, step by step. You can easily start an online quote, check facts and figures, or use tools like Mortality Evaluator to compare different companies based on your age. If you want more information or want to speak with someone directly, you can call them directly through their site and get all your questions answered. In addition to life insurance products, AEGON also offers retirement options and business solutions including tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs). The company covers 24 South African provinces as well as Namibia.

10) Standard Bank Group

As an oldie but goodie, Standard Bank is one of South Africa’s most reputable banking groups. The company offers many professional opportunities, and if you’re interested in joining up, there are plenty of management positions you can apply for. Positions include Risk Officer and Group Head: IT Delivery. If you want to work with people and get your hands dirty, then customer service jobs might be more your speed; these include Technical Specialist (ICT Solutions), Personal Banking Manager – Commercial Banking or Customer Service Representative: Business Banking. There are also roles for graduates to step into within their Graduate Program.

Conclusion

In South Africa, insurance is a growing sector. There are many opportunities for people looking to get into sales, policy servicing or other related jobs. Of course, if you don’t see your ideal position on any list below, you can always go and find another insurance company to work for! The sector is large enough that every business listed above isn’t necessarily hiring at all times. Regardless of where you want to work, though, we hope that at least one place on our list has peaked your interest!

It’s never easy dealing with a toxic work environment, especially when your day-to-day life is affected by it so heavily. Whether your boss or co-workers are putting you down or making you feel constantly uneasy, it can be difficult to stay motivated and feel valued in your position. In order to keep yourself from becoming too discouraged by the situation, try implementing these 10 strategies that can help you deal with a toxic working environment better in the long run.

1) Stand up for yourself

No one else is going to fix your work environment for you. If you want something done about a toxic situation, it’s up to you to speak up and create change. Be upfront about what bothers you and focus on problem-solving. Acknowledging that things can always be better—and keeping lines of communication open—is an important part of dealing with tough situations like these. You might not feel comfortable making those initial requests or small changes in the beginning, but once you start talking about them (and seeing results) it’ll be easier in future situations too. And remember: Toxic work environments are often surrounded by good people who are just as frustrated as you are, so don’t forget that speaking up can also help others.

2) Take care of your mental health

Staying physically healthy is one of the best ways to stay sane in a toxic work environment. In fact, it’s often hard for your brain to remain focused on your work when you feel awful. Plus, making sure you’re exercising and eating right has been proven to make people feel more positive overall, as well as less stressed and anxious. The last thing you want is increased stress and anxiety at work when there’s already so much other garbage going on. Take care of yourself—you won’t regret it! (Plus, you might be surprised by how much better you perform at work.)

3) Build allies

The problem with letting colleagues know you’re unhappy is that it puts you in an adversarial position. This makes resolving your complaint more difficult. Instead, identify one or two allies who have experienced similar issues and see if they would be willing to go to bat for you with management or HR. You could even take things one step further and create an online petition or ask others if they are willing to join your cause—you may be surprised by how many people are affected. If nothing else, you will feel less alone in what is probably a very lonely situation. Then, if needed, use your small group of supporters as backup during meetings with management.

4) Get professional help

If you’re working in an unhealthy environment and have tried everything you can think of, it might be time to seek outside help. There are many resources out there designed specifically for employees who need assistance changing their work situation. Take advantage of whatever resources are available through your company or university, but also talk with colleagues who are willing to listen; you might be surprised by what people say about their work environments when they’re asked anonymously! If your organization doesn’t offer any kind of help or if no one is willing to listen, consider hiring an executive coach. A coach will help you evaluate your current situation and come up with ways to approach it differently; they won’t tell you what decisions to make, but they will guide you as you take action.

5) File a grievance or complaint

If your employer is violating its own policies, there are steps you can take. Gather evidence and keep track of dates, times, and witnesses who may be able to corroborate your account. You can make formal complaints about discrimination or workplace abuse. If you believe that you have been subject to workplace bullying, you may want to consult an attorney in your area about whether or not you have grounds for filing a lawsuit against your employer. It’s usually best to try other tactics first—like talking with management—to avoid lawsuits from becoming necessary. However, it’s still important that you know how to file a grievance if an issue arises that requires it.

6) Document everything

That includes emails you send, tasks and calendar events you schedule and notes of any meetings you have with your boss or coworkers. It’s never too early to start gathering information, so if your working conditions are bad enough that you’re contemplating whether or not it’s time to look for another job, then there’s no time like now to get started documenting what goes on at work every day. After all, if nothing else comes out of staying where you are, at least you can use what you know about your company in future interviews with other employers—so make sure that information is accurate! You don’t want your current employer thinking that their turnover rate is due in part to negative comments from disgruntled employees when really it’s because of their terrible management style.

7) Take Legal Action

If you’re being harassed at work, you might consider taking legal action. But in many cases, your best course of action is to confront your harasser head-on and ask him or her to stop. If that doesn’t work—or if you want to avoid an uncomfortable confrontation—you can always take steps toward leaving your job before quitting. That way, you don’t have to worry about how you’ll pay your bills if your employer doesn’t grant a separation package. If a toxic work environment is preventing you from making real progress on projects or hindering others from doing their jobs well, there may be grounds for filing suit against management.

8) Know Your Rights

The first step in dealing with a toxic work environment is understanding your rights as an employee. According to California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing, you have an obligation to take reasonable steps to avoid harm if an employer fails to take reasonable steps to prevent harassment. And that could mean doing anything from avoiding physical spaces where harassment often occurs or asking for different assignments when your harasser has power over your career progress. In certain cases, employees can even sue their employers for sexual harassment; it depends on how much power or control your harasser had over you and whether he or she was acting within company policy. If you believe that your employer didn’t adequately address an incident of sexual harassment, consider filing a complaint with DFEH before seeking out other solutions.

9) Talk to Human Resources

Whether you have an obvious, serious problem or more of an amorphous complaint, it’s best to start with your company’s human resources department. HR can help you figure out if you have a legitimate issue and may be able to help improve things immediately. They might also be able to refer you elsewhere if they aren’t equipped to deal with what you’re facing. And let’s face it: No matter how bad your boss is, no one deserves being harassed or abused by another employee. If that happens—even if it isn’t directed at you—report it immediately.

10) Quit!

There’s nothing wrong with doing what you need to do to get yourself out of a hostile situation, and quitting might be your best bet. According to recent surveys, 40% of women have left jobs because of mistreatment by bosses or co-workers. If you feel as though you’re working in an unhealthy environment that’s harmful not only for your well-being but also for your career growth and potential, it might be time to consider moving on. Don’t beat yourself up about it—you deserve better than that! Find another position that provides healthier opportunities for professional and personal growth.

Conclusion

A toxic work environment is never fun. At best, it’s stressful and frustrating; at worst, it can lead to major health issues or even death. If you think your workplace could use some improvements (or if you feel like something needs improving), there are plenty of steps you can take. Some work environments are naturally more toxic than others—but no matter what kind of working environment you find yourself in, there are ways to deal with it. Ultimately, learning how to deal with a toxic work environment is all about setting boundaries: learning when not to listen and realizing what’s acceptable behavior within your working conditions. Once you know where those lines are drawn, getting through your day-to-day routine won’t be nearly as stressful.

If you didn’t get the job you wanted, it might not be because you weren’t qualified enough, but because of these 10 reasons why you didn’t get the job. The good news is that most of these reasons are things that can be improved over time, so once you know what mistakes to avoid, you can continue to apply for jobs and eventually land one. To help give yourself the best chance at getting hired, review this list of reasons why you didn’t get the job in the first place.

1) Not enough experience

For many jobs, you need some experience. Whether it’s a summer internship or an after-school job, getting some hands-on experience with your field can go a long way when applying for jobs. While looking for work, try to participate in as many group activities and on-the-job learning opportunities as possible. The more relevant experience you have, the better you’ll be able to show that off during your interviews.

2) Too much experience

Hiring managers and recruiters typically don’t like a history of job hopping; it means you can’t hold a job down. If you were honest about your experience in your interview, but it turns out that your past employers didn’t give you glowing reviews, that’s an automatic red flag for future hiring managers and recruiters. One way to fix it is to emphasize how much your circumstances have changed since then: You learned valuable skills that will benefit any company and you were forced to get innovative in how you went about doing things because other team members didn’t pull their weight. That shows you have what it takes to succeed in any environment.

3) Gaps in Employment

This is a big one. When you’re trying to explain why you took some time off in your resume, be honest and own up to it. Let them know that you took a sabbatical to spend more time with your family or volunteer abroad, suggests Banfield. However, don’t get too detailed about these areas on your resume because that may seem like a strange gap in employment for an employer. If an employer were really interested in knowing about your specific endeavors, they would ask you about it on their own during an interview—which leads us to our next point…

4) References were incorrect

It happens. A typo, a missing number or a misspelled name can have an affect on your resume. Even if your references say glowing things about you, it’s important to double-check that you have their information correct and up-to-date. The worst thing is to assume that everything looks good because you don’t want to take the time to double check when it comes back to bite you in a big way! So be sure to verify—at least twice—that contact information for references is up-to-date before submitting applications for jobs.

5) Cover letter was sloppy

A sloppy cover letter will often be a big turn-off to hiring managers. Use concise and formal language, don’t make spelling or grammar mistakes, and pay attention to formatting. It only takes a few seconds for a recruiter or hiring manager to form an opinion of you—don’t waste those precious seconds by providing bad information! Remember that your cover letter needs to grab their attention, demonstrate why you would be a good fit for their company, show them how your skills relate to what they’re looking for in an employee, and convince them that you can do what it takes to succeed. If it doesn’t meet these expectations, you could be one strike away from being out of the running.

6) Résumé was sloppy

One of my biggest pet peeves with job seekers is sloppy résumés. Although, I understand that some people just don’t know how to write them (although you probably do), a professional looking résumé tells a hiring manager two things: 1) you take your job search seriously and 2) you are detail oriented. Rejecting a candidate based on their resume is insulting but so common. If it looks like you are putting in half-hearted effort for something as important as getting a new job, then why should an employer believe that if they hire you, you will put in half-hearted effort at work?

7) Spelling errors

Speaking of typos, an application with spelling or grammatical errors is a surefire way to lose out on your dream job. It makes you look lazy, or at least careless. Even if it’s not your forte, try to find someone who can give your cover letter and resume a once-over before you send them out. Your education is important, but more than half of employers will toss it in the trash if they spot one small error. Once again: always proofread!

8) Incorrect formatting or font type on résumé

A poorly formatted résumé is more likely to get a rejection letter than a face-to-face interview. Make sure your application materials are in line with company standards and ensure you send them with a cover letter that explains why you’re well suited for that job and what you can bring to their team. Don’t have time to do it right? Just make sure it doesn’t look like you did.

9) Bad attitude/showed up late/came unprepared/didn’t ask questions

This is how your interviewer knows that you’re not interested in their company or job. If you really want to land a gig, make sure that you show up with a positive attitude, on time and prepared. It’s also wise to ask questions during an interview—this will show you’re actually interested in learning more about the position. Whether or not you get hired is generally dependent on whether or not an employer believes you want to work for them over all other potential employers. Employers are businesspeople who are looking out for themselves and they want to make sure they don’t invest in someone who doesn’t have their best interests at heart.

10) Applying for a position that doesn’t match your skillset

If you don’t fit with a company, it doesn’t matter how much you want a job. There will always be another position out there for you—one that plays to your strengths. So take care when deciding which jobs to apply for and make sure your skills match what a company is asking for. At least then, you have an even chance of getting hired—whereas when you try to force a square peg into a round hole, it doesn’t work out so well. So before sending in that application or attending an interview, carefully review all of your past experience to make sure it matches up with what is being asked of you.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why you didn’t get a job. Not all of them are negative. Maybe they couldn’t find someone to fill that exact role, or they did not have funds to hire anyone new. So even though you didn’t get your dream job right now, there may be something better in store for you down the road if you keep going and never give up!

The recruitment process is the first step of the hiring process and helps to determine if an individual will be able to successfully fill a position within an organization. In order to prevent the selection of a poor fit, it’s important to utilize strategies that increase the effectiveness of this process. If it fails, your business can lose time and money while being forced to hire and train less-than-ideal employees who are unable to perform their job functions effectively due to lack of proper experience or skill set deficiencies.

1) Daunting Candidate Experience

So many companies are focused on technology and flashy logos that they forget what candidate experience is all about. And when it comes down to it, having a great candidate experience means being responsive, helpful, communicative, honest—just like any good customer service or sales representative. (Plus it’s a lot easier for your candidates if you speak their language.) Luckily there are a few relatively simple ways you can take advantage of modern technology without compromising how your candidates interact with your organization. Read on for 10 reasons why recruitment process is failing – and how we can fix them!

2) Alignment with Company Culture

If your organization has a clear company culture, there’s no reason why you should do things any differently. If your organization doesn’t have a clearly defined culture, it will be hard for new employees to know what is expected of them or for them to feel part of your team. Your recruitment process should reflect what kind of people you want at your company. For example, if you run an environment where collaboration is key, then perhaps there’s no need for an interview at all – just get people working together on projects in small teams from day one. Similarly, if your core value proposition is speed, then maybe you could use a different type of recruitment strategy than other companies that take their time when finding new talent.

3) Lack of Transparency in Hiring

During recruitment process, it’s easy for things to get lost in translation. Whether it’s intentional or not, companies can sometimes make a hiring decision that seems counterintuitive. There may be a disconnect between what was communicated during an interview (for example, about salary) or about an applicant’s skills and experience level. To keep everyone informed throughout the process, consider posting all of your open positions on job boards that are free for candidates to see from start to finish. Candidates will appreciate knowing exactly what’s happening throughout every step of their interview.

4) No-Deal Compensation Structure

Companies have different plans for compensating employees that aren’t aligned with their corporate strategy, vision or mission. One of those plans is a no-deal compensation structure. This can be a bad thing for employees who don’t share their manager’s opinions on how things should be done, or even what needs to get done in order to further the company’s success. If a company doesn’t have clearly defined roles for all its employees, there’s no way for everyone to succeed in an organization — so make sure everyone knows what they’re supposed to do! Take your time hiring people who want what you want. Hire someone because they see eye-to-eye with you instead of toe-to-toe.

5) An Overly Long Review Process

Many companies go way overboard when vetting candidates. If a company wants new hires who are smart, focused, and have relevant experience, they need to make sure they don’t end up with people who don’t. But by extending your hiring process beyond three months in an attempt to be as thorough as possible, you run into all sorts of problems. Candidates will often find other opportunities before you make a final decision; it can negatively impact employee morale (especially if your current team members have been carrying more of their own weight while you make up your mind); it can affect your ability to execute quickly; and there’s also a chance that over-vetting will actually lower your standards by making candidates less selective about what positions they accept elsewhere.

6) Lack of Innovation

While it may seem like a good idea to remain consistent with what’s worked in the past, sticking with how we’ve always done things means that more often than not, you’ll lose new talent. To prevent your recruitment process from failing you need to keep evolving your hiring strategy. Look at how technology can help attract talent, take advantage of social media platforms like LinkedIn (which boasts 200 million users) and even seek out niche job sites or location-specific resources where you can connect with skilled candidates. These are all avenues for building a new approach that will help draw better talent without fail.

7) Inconsistent Data Collection Practices

Data collection practices are a major issue because they have a direct impact on how your recruitment process looks. When you create inconsistent data, you’re going to get inconsistent results. The quality of your data can make or break your entire recruitment process, so it’s critical that you implement uniform practices across all departments involved in gathering, organizing, analyzing and using data from job applications to employer branding campaigns. To fix recruitment process failures (and improve engagement), start by developing an actionable strategy for standardizing all data collection activities as much as possible.

8) Ineffective Applicant Tracking Systems

A big part of managing an effective recruitment process involves your applicant tracking system (ATS). If you’re in charge of hiring within your organization, you know that one of the most challenging parts of your job is finding good talent. Without a robust ATS, it’s almost impossible to find those top performers—let alone sort through all those candidates who aren’t qualified for your jobs. That’s why ATS are so important: they help manage your recruitment process by providing tools that allow you to post jobs on multiple platforms, filter applicants based on criteria that matters to you and gather comprehensive data about everything from application rates to interview scheduling.

9) Indecision Over Which Hiring Model to Use

There are hundreds of ways to fill an open position, but no two hiring strategies are exactly alike. Many business owners hire like their competitors do, which leads to confusion over why their own recruitment process fails so often. If you haven’t tried your hand at some innovative methods for finding a new employee, now might be a good time to start.

10) Insufficient Post-Interview Feedback

Receiving a callback after an interview is a sure sign that you’ve made it past first round. The only problem? You might not actually make it past that first round if you don’t have something specific to talk about on your second interview. Post-interview feedback has become essential in determining which candidates are right for your company. To ensure your recruitment process works, encourage job seekers to share as much information as possible during their interviews. If there’s one thing you take away from reading this post, let it be that recruiters need more than just I felt like I was a good fit for the position feedback; they need specific examples of how these people would perform well in their new roles!

An interview can be an anxiety-filled experience, especially if you’re very shy or have social anxiety. Thankfully, there are several ways to go from shy to confident in an interview, and with these 5 steps you can easily walk into your next interview with the confidence you need to get the job offer you want.

1) Smile

One of my favorite interview tips for nervous candidates is to smile more. Studies have shown that smiling during an interview makes you more likeable and puts your interviewer at ease. Not only will you feel better, but your confidence will shine through on camera and make a positive impression on whomever you’re speaking with. Try it out next time; I promise, it’ll be contagious!

2) Keep Eye Contact

One of my favorite interview tips is keeping eye contact with your interviewer(s). When we keep eye contact, it tells them that we’re engaged and paying attention. It also shows confidence because it takes confidence to maintain eye contact. If you tend to be shy, practice looking people in the eyes as much as possible; you’ll start getting better at it over time.

3) Turn up early

It’s perfectly normal to be nervous on interview day. We all are! However, showing up early for your interview will make you seem cool, collected and confident—even if you feel like a million butterflies are flying around inside of you. Your interviewer is likely a little stressed out herself, so arriving early will show her that you’re a cool customer who doesn’t need much time to settle in before getting started. Give yourself enough time to take a few deep breaths and give yourself a pep talk about how awesome and prepared you are for that job. The more composed you come across, the more confidence your interviewer will have in your abilities—and that makes it much easier for them to envision what it would be like working with you every day!

4) Practice interviewing with a friend

No matter how much you plan, there’s no substitute for actually getting face-to-face with a hiring manager and answering his or her questions. Some recruiters and hiring managers can pick up on nervousness from a mile away, so practice your interview skills with a friend before going on a job interview. Use that friend as a mock interviewer—they’ll be able to give you feedback about how well you answered questions and gave your best answers. If you can find someone who has gone through many interviews, they might be even more valuable: they’ll know what it takes to ace one.

5) Know what you want

When you’re not confident and you enter a job interview, there are two possible reasons why. Either you don’t really know what you want or your priorities aren’t aligned with your strengths. To have confidence, you have to know what it is that gets you excited. Then map out three or four interviews for a company where your top career goals will be met and go from shy to confident in an interview setting.

Conclusion

Did you know that more than 70% of interviewers say that a candidate’s self-confidence is more important than their technical skills? In other words, you’d be better off being a little shy and confident rather than come across as overly cocky. If you want to ace your next interview, put on your best outfit and take 5 deep breaths before walking into that room. Practice saying something new each time. And most importantly: make sure your resume is primed and ready so you can talk about what makes you unique during the Q&A portion of your interview. You don’t have to feel shy about putting yourself out there; just keep these tips in mind for landing a job at one of these top companies!