For job seekers in any profession, the interview process can seem annoying and perplexing. You send an application in, and it goes into this black box, which may or may not produce a response.
Conversely, recruiters and hiring managers try to find the best people for their open positions. There are things they like to see from a candidate and things that frustrate them.
The following tips can help you see the other side of this equation and improve your chances of getting the desired jobs.
Consider the Job Requirements
Some open positions have stringent job requirements, which can lead to a protracted interview process. For example, a position might be in a highly regulated industry and involve a lot of legacy technology that requires niche abilities.
Furthermore, these positions often require multiple people to sign off on a candidate moving forward. Those individuals often have many other responsibilities, which means they often can’t give an answer as fast as applicants, or other hiring personnel, want. The inability to provide on-time feedback typically comes down to competing schedules and interests.
Make Your Resume Match the Position
Quite a few people think they shouldn’t have a resume over two pages. However, tech professionals usually should be fine with this unofficial rule, especially those beyond entry-level stages.
Regardless of the position, with your résumé, it’s always helpful to highlight your most relevant experience and abilities. Don’t hesitate to detail achievements, your value-added, and team successes. While doing so, avoid useless jargon. Focus on being comprehensive but avoid trying to impress with quantity.
It’s also crucial to have each application suit the needs and objectives for the role. When customizing your resume to the job description, emphasize abilities and experience that match the description. Hiring managers always want people to slot in seamlessly with their existing team. At least they want to see a strong potential match on paper, as it simplifies their job.
Don’t Overlook the Importance of Soft Skills
Despite the fact that tech positions are, well, technical – hiring managers want applicants who can read other people in a professional setting and respond accordingly. Technical abilities will always matter the most, nonetheless, pay attention to the value of being a good communicator, especially with non-technical employees and managers.
Being able to deftly communicate suggestions for improvements in an interview can score points and even empower you moving forward in the position itself. When suggesting upgrades, always remain within the existing framework and emphasize potential upsides related to team success.
Also, ensure to prepare any stories you may have related to ways you used soft skills to push a project forward. Show an ability to express nuance and transparency. Pay attention to the needs and issues of a potential employer. A respectful two-way discussion can boost your appeal to a hiring manager.
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