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Are you looking to transition into a new career? Perhaps you’re a new graduate just entering the job market. Or maybe you’re unemployed and looking for a job; any job. Whatever the particulars of your situation, the following tips can help you.

Check your resume for mistakes

Before turning in your resume to a prospective employer, check it at least three times to make sure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors and that it is free of typos. You should also ensure that your resume is tailored to the demands of the job you are pursuing. If you are trying to land an accounting job, then play up any accounting experience you may have. Keep your resume to a length of one to one and a half pages.

Tackling the interview challenge

A study by a California staffing and consulting firm found that 1,400 CFOs were for the most part in agreement about the top mistakes made by interviewees. Among these were showing up late, knowing little about the company or the position for which they were applying and arrogance during the interview. In an interview, body language is very important - applicants must show confidence (but not be overbearing), maintain eye contact, have a firm handshake and avoid crossing the arms (which looks like a defensive posture). Clothes are also important; it is far better to be overdressed than underdressed for an interview.

Answer questions smartly

If you are nervous, it can make you perform badly in an interview. Some even forget the questions they are asked due to this nervousness. You can stop this from being a problem by being well prepared for the interview. Be sure to research the company and the position you are applying for thoroughly and remember that it’s better to admit that you don’t know the answer to a question than to give a poor answer. Tell the interviewer that you will get back to them with an answer. Make a point of playing up the skills which the advertisement mentions as being needed for the position.

Getting the necessary referrals

A referral from a current employee is one of the best ways to ensure that you are asked in for an interview. Companies receive hundreds of resumes when they advertise a position; but as many as 60% of these vacancies are filled through referrals by employees. If you don’t know anyone who works at the company ask around - someone you know may. If you are referred by a current employee, it greatly increases your odds of being hired.

Online application

More and more companies are now asking job seekers to submit resumes electronically. You now have to make a good first impression with an email rather than with your personal appearance. This makes your email very important; treat this email as you would any important piece of business correspondence. When you are asked to apply online, remember these tips:

Complete your sentences and do not abbreviate.

Employers will likely pass over resumes from those who send overly casual cover letters. Even though this is via email, keep things professional to create a good impression.

Get directly to the point

Get to the point. Don’t write a story to try to get the employer’s interest; they will probably just be annoyed by this and keep looking for candidates who have a more direct approach. Tell the employer what you want and do it in a clear, concise, professional manner.

It can take some time and some work to land that job you really want; but don’t give up. It’s far better to have to wait a while and get that job you’ve always wanted than to take the first one which comes along and be miserable and unfulfilled as a result. Make the right career decision and then act.