The ever-so-competitive job industry will really test your patience and dedication. You will encounter obstacles from the start of your job search and even up to working with your office mates. You have to thrive to excel and survive in this industry. Though hard work is essential, sometimes, working smarter is better. Working smartly doesn’t necessarily mean you are slacking off or lazy. So here are some life hacks that will help your work life a bit easier.
Table of Contents
Your Resume:
Use keywords
When writing your resume, make sure that you are making use of the important keywords. Recheck the job description and include the relevant keywords and phrases to your resume. Now, most companies use ATS to make the job hiring process easier. The ATS searches for keywords in the resumes. Make sure to use all the relevant keywords to have higher chances of placing high in the ranking.
Be ATS friendly
Nowadays, companies use this thing called ATS. ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. The ATS is software that helps companies when hiring. It can be programmed according to the company’s needs. However, technical errors may arise since the process will not be done manually. Do not include graphics in your resume and elements like tables and columns because it would not be read. The ATS can only read texts, so other elements will not be recognized. Use standard fonts and avoid those cursive and unique ones. The ATS might not be able to read those fonts or may read them differently, which may affect the design of your resume.
Make use of resume templates.
Writing a resume can be confusing with all the details you have to put. You may have difficulty organizing and picking which information to put and which to leave behind. You can use a resume template when making your resume to keep you guided with the things to put and help you make your resume presentable.
Now that you have successfully saved yourself from ending up on the rejection list, you will face the next level, the job interview.
Bring extra copies of your resume.
Bring several copies of your resume so that you are prepared if they lose yours or do not have enough for the interviewers. This will also show that you are someone who knows how to anticipate and prepare, which gives you bonus points.
Be early
First impression matters! Being on time is not enough; ensure you arrive at least 15 minutes early. This will give you time to adjust to the surroundings and prepare. Being early will also show how eager and serious you are regarding the position you are applying for.
Do not bring up the salary.
When they ask you if you have any questions, it certainly is tempting but never brings up the salary. This will make you seem like you are only after the benefits. Not mentioning the salary will make you look polite; practice being careful with sensitive topics. Wait for them to bring up the topic before saying anything about it.
Present yourself well
Watch your posture, grammar, and diction. Employers want candidates who are confident and can express themselves well. Make sure that your voice is well modulated; you are not talking too fast or too slow; you have proper diction and be grammatical.
The Office Life:
Adjust
You are the new one, so you have to adjust accordingly. Learn how to get along with your officemates, whether they are a rank above or below you. Being flexible and understanding is a hard trait in an employee, so learn how to adjust to your surroundings.
Be Friendly
Try befriending your officemates! This will give you an advantage by avoiding office wars or bad blood. Having friends in your office means that there is someone that you can ask for help or guidance. This will also allow you to expand your connections.
Be Professional
Separate your personal life from work. Doing this will help you please your boss and officemates. No one wants to keep hearing problems and excuses that are unrelated to them. Being professional will show how dedicated you are!
Being in the job industry is not and will never be easy. There are things that you cannot control, but this does not mean you will automatically suffer in your job. Control the ones you can. Follow these hacks and tips, and you will surely feel the difference!
Sources: