Need a job? Don’t we all. The job market is tough and even the monsters that run it must have jobs. Got to pay those bills, right?  

From getting your foot in the door to suggestions on what to do when it’s open, here are a couple of helpful tips on how you can improve your chances of landing that job you’ve been eyeing. 

If you’re lucky enough to live in a city with a vibrant and active job market, or if you’ve never had any problems finding a job before — you might easily assume that getting employment has always been relatively straightforward.  

However, this is far from true.   

As recent statistics have revealed, the current state of the global economy makes it harder than ever to get your foot in the door at a new company.  

Therefore, if you’re currently seeking employment, then chances are that you already have some idea that things aren’t as easy as they once were.  

Even worse, it’s possible that you’ve suffered one rejection too many and now don’t even seem to know where to begin looking for a new job.  

But this is all about to change. 

Step 1 – Study the company and research the role. 

Make sure you can uncover everything there is to know about the company and learn about the people who work there. Find out about the team, their culture and their mission. 

Look at all the available information on their website, social media platforms and in their press releases. You can also use LinkedIn and Google to find out more about them if they do not have a website or social media presence. 

Go through the job description, looking for links between your own experience and skills and those asked for by the employer.  

The more you know about this company, the better you can present yourself as a good fit for it.

Step 2 – Questions! Questions? Have a list of insightful questions and be prepared to be asked tough questions. 

Be prepared with questions about the company, industry, team and culture. This shows that you are interested in the role and want to make sure it’s a good fit for both parties. 

Prepare answers in advance. Be ready with examples that illustrate your skills and experience. 

Make sure you understand what the company does, its products or services, and its competitors. You don’t want to ask questions about something they’ve just described as irrelevant to their business. 

The interview is a two-way street, so make sure you ask questions about the company and the role that you are interviewing for.  

Questions like: “What do you like about working here?” or “What does the regular day-to-day look like for this role?” will give you an idea of what it’s like working at that company and if it’s something you can enjoy. 

If they ask you challenging questions, don’t get defensive or flustered; instead, answer honestly and with confidence.  

For example, if they ask how long it will take you to complete certain tasks, be honest with them but also try to give them an optimistic response. 

Saying something like, “I’m confident that I can complete this task in less than three weeks,” shows them that you are confident and committed to doing well on the job; it also gives them an idea of how quickly they can expect results if they hire you. 

Another question would be “Why did you leave your previous employer/company?” This is a tricky question. You want to make sure that your response is done in a positive manner. Avoid any badmouthing – keep it simple and be positive. 

But what if a higher salary is the reason you’re looking for other jobs? A good approach would be to express how your earlier job didn’t offer an opportunity for further growth.  

What this does is that it tells the interviewer that you’re prepared to face new challenges and the pay that comes with it. 

A huge red flag would be complaining about your employer, associates or tasks. 

Lastly, make sure that when answering questions about yourself or your skillset, do not go into too much detail or become overly technical unless specifically asked for. 

Step 3 – Be punctual.  

Show up on time. Being late for an interview is unacceptable in any field.   

If you’re going to be late, call and let the interviewer know as soon as possible. Don’t make excuses — just apologize and offer to reschedule if possible. 

Nothing will make a good impression faster than arriving early and being ready to go when the interview begins.  

If you’re late, you may be seen as disrespectful or disorganized — or both. 

Step 4 – Dress for success – first impressions do matter! 

Regardless of whether the interview will take place online or physically — dress appropriately.  

If you’re interviewing with a professional or executive-level person, dress conservatively and professionally; if it’s a younger company, dress more casually but still in line with what other employees wear.  

In most cases, it’s better not to overdress — especially if you’re interviewing at a casual restaurant or coffee shop — but it’s not necessary to be underdressed either. 

Step 5 – Know and connect with your interviewer. 

Researching the company that’s hiring you is necessary, but don’t stop there.  

It can be difficult to remember your interviewer’s name but if you do it’ll surely leave an impression. Maintaining eye contact as you’re conversing shows that you are paying attention. 

Asking questions about your interviewer’s background can help make you more relatable — plus it will make them like you more.  

It’s also smart to take note of any shared interests or hobbies so that you can bring them up during your conversation (and maybe even ask for a few extra minutes in the end).  

This will put you in a better position to connect with them on a personal level, which will only increase your chances of getting hired.  

Step 6 – Be mindful of your tone and voice. 

First, let’s be clear about what we mean by “voice.” The voice here refers to your tone of voice, your attitude, and the way you come across to other people when you speak or write. 

It is important to keep in mind that when you communicate with a hiring manager, your job application materials are just as important as your resume.  

In fact, if they don’t like your writing style, they might not even bother reading your resume!  

For example, if they read an email from you with poor grammar and spelling mistakes, they might assume that if you can’t be bothered with basic English skills then how much effort are you going to put into this job? 

I’ve met this with one of my clients as I was tasked with filling open positions for a content writer and virtual assistant role.  

The emails I received were terrible to the point where some applicants would just send a blank email with their resume attached and a subject titled “Virtual Assistant”.  

The effort you put in shows how interested you are in the job and hiring managers can see this in the way you present yourself both verbally and non-verbally.  

Step 7 – Explain the value you’ll bring to the company and why you’re a good fit. 

When applying for a job, it’s important to think about how you can add value to the company and what you can bring to the table.  

To do this, start by writing down exactly what you’re good at and what your strengths are. Then, think about how those skills would be useful in the position you’re applying for. 

Let’s say you have a great eye for design and attention to detail. You might mention that you have experience designing websites or brochures and therefore could help improve their existing designs. 

If you don’t have much experience in a particular field, think about how your skills could translate into different areas.  

For example, if you know how to write HTML code but not CSS or JavaScript, then maybe mention that your coding skills would make it easier for the company to create their own website rather than outsourcing it to another team member. 

You should also consider any relevant experience you’ve had in earlier jobs or internships that shows why you’re qualified for this position — even if it was unrelated. Your skills will transfer over easily if they were acquired through similar tasks at work before or during school. 

Focus on what you can do for the company/employer.   

The goal of an interview is to show a potential employer how your skills and experience can help the company — not just how they would help you grow personally or professionally.  

So, when answering questions about your qualifications, focus on how they align with the needs of the business rather than talking about what interests you or what kind of work environment would be best for you personally.  

Highlight results-oriented achievements instead of responsibilities alone.  

It’s great if you have experience leading projects from start to finish, but simply listing “Project Manager” on your resume isn’t enough to prove that you have those skills in real-life — especially if it was only one project (or even worse, just one week) during which time nothing went wrong. 

Step 8 – Ask and you shall receive. 

Show and tell the interviewer that you are interested in the job. Simply ask them, as being direct can give you the upper hand over other candidates. 

If you’ve basically ticked everything in the earlier steps then ask with confidence. Don’t forget to smile as well! 

Step 9 – Have an attitude of gratitude – it goes a long way.

Regardless if you got the job or not, you need to make sure to thank your interviewers for their time and the opportunity that they had provided.  

No matter how you feel about the position or the company, be genuine in expressing your gratitude. It will build credibility with them and leave a positive impression on their minds.  

Within 24 hours of the interview, make sure to follow up with a thank-you email. It should be brief and professional, thanking them for their time and consideration of your application. 

Step 10 – Follow-Up and follow through. 

A general rule of thumb would be to give it at least a week until you follow up.   

However, if the interviewer has promised a response by a specific date, contact them and find out where they are in the hiring process. 

Keep your messages brief and polite, most interviewers are more likely to be impressed by your determination and interest in the job. 

Step 11 – Stay focused and be confident but don’t forget to smile and be courteous.  

Avoid being too casual or too stiff, but don’t get overly enthusiastic either.  

Interviews are not always easy, so if there is a pause in the conversation or if the interviewer asks you a question that you don’t know how to answer, don’t panic! As much as possible, try to relax and be yourself. Also, don’t be afraid of silence.   

Try saying something like “That is an interesting question. I will have to think about this one before answering” or “I am not sure how best to answer that question. Let me think about it for a moment” or even “Sorry for being quiet for so long; I was just trying to figure out what you meant by that question”.  

Closing Thoughts  

Ultimately, if you’re looking for employment, it is essential to understand what potential employers are looking for.  

If you want them to hire you, you must sell yourself effectively. And if they like what they see and hear, they’ll be more likely to contact you.  

Make sure you are ready when they do by fine-tuning your resume and cover letter. Then follow that up with a phone call that conveys the passion behind your desire to work there and the enthusiasm you will bring to their organization.   

Give them a reason to choose you, rather than another candidate. And if you follow these steps, your chances of getting the job should increase exponentially.