Do's & don'ts when looking for a job

Looking for a job is more than ever about taking care of an image – about showing a credible and professional image of yourself when communicating with possible employers. There are a lot of jobs right now, but also many applicants. That is why it is your job to be as qualified as possible. Maybe this is your first time applying for a job and therefore you don’t have the same experience and knowledge as your “competitors”, who might be in a better position. A big part of looking for a job is about personal branding – which is why you have to create an image of yourself that you want others to see and remember.

Get your contact details in order

It is a small detail that a lot of people do not think about, because you have the contact information that you have. However, it says a lot about you, if you have an e-mail such as “nana.hot@gmail.com”. Perhaps it was funny when you created the e-mail, but you should not use it on your CV.
And remember to add a link to your LinkedIn profile.

Your picture

You may be ”outgoing” or a ”people person” – but don’t use a photo of yourself from your holidays (a lof of people do, unfortunately). That picture belongs on Facebook. Instead, have a picture taken by a professional. Right now, your application is your business card and you want it to present you in the best possible way.

Write what is relevant

Be precise and short, when writing applications. Don’t waste time and space on your time in high school or summer jobs. HR managers and recruiters want a short and specific resumé with information that is relevant to the job that you are applying for. Expect for whomever is recruiting to spend 30 seconds (on average) on skimming your resumé! And be aware that recruiters only read your application AFTER aving read your resumé – if your resumé presents you and your skills in a clear and appealing way.

Spell check

Previously those of us who weren’t good at spelling had to rely on the favour of friends and family. Today things are different. Today we have spell check – so use it. Proper spelling says a lot about your professionalism. But don’t rely just on spell check. Do ask someone to proofread your applicationand resumé, as spell check might get everything.

Use references and write that you can get them
Using references is always a good idea. Of course, only use references you know, you can trust, and who have positive things to say about you.

Motivate your application

You need to stand out from the crowd with your application; that means you need to motivate your application, so employers get the impression that they are hiring someone who is passionate about the positon and/or the company. And if you stand out in a positive way, you’ve come a long way.

Find more advice on how to target your job search on intojob.dk/blog/.

Move forward with the right material and be sure to get the relevant information on your resumé.

Good luck and many kind regards,

Anne Marie Valentin
Career Advisor
+45 30 64 60 13
www.intojob.dk