How should I address a hiring manager whose name I can’t find?
Sometimes the name of the hiring manager won’t be listed on the job description. If it’s a small company, you might be able to find a name on their website or through a quick Google search. But if after searching you still can’t find the name, you should begin your cover letter: “Dear Hiring Manager.”
WHAT IS THE REASON THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW COLLEAGUE?
Are you looking to expand the team or to replace someone? Is it long term or is someone on temporarily leave? Be clear!
It is important for candidates to know why an organization is looking for new colleagues.
Have you grown explosively? For some people that could be an additional reason to consider your company. If someone is looking for a temporary (interim) position, seeing this detail immediately may give them an extra reason to respond. Indicate those things clearly and directly in the vacancy posting or let a colleague record a short video with such reasons and share it on social media.
Can I wear semi formals to an interview if the culture is casual?
Whatever might be the culture of the organization you are appearing for a job interview, you should be properly dressed. Choose a formal suit for every interview.
Should I apply for a job even if I don’t have the specified experience?
Absolutely! If you think you can handle the job requirements, it never hurts to apply for the position. Whether you have less years of experience than they’re asking, or you are missing one of the hard skills mentioned, these don’t necessarily rule you out from landing the job. Skills can be learned on the job, and if you’re the best candidate, years of experience won’t matter in the end. Just don’t lie and say you have the qualifications when you don’t.
How long should I wait before following up?
If you don’t hear back from an interviewer right away, don’t follow up again until after the interviewer’s deadline has passed. If the date passes and you still haven’t heard anything, send a brief follow-up to remind the interviewer about your qualifications and interest in the open job. After that first follow-up, you can follow-up again every 7-10 days up to two more times for a total of three follow-ups. If you still haven’t heard back, you should move on.
What is the most important thing to include in a resume?
Other than your personal details and contact information, your resume should have information about your work history, educational qualifications and related skills. For every job applications, these needs to be tailored.
Add professional recognitions and accomplishments to stand out.
I don’t have the required experience. Should I apply for the job?
If you think you can pull off the job requirements well, you should definitely apply to the job. If you do not have the required number of years or miss any hard skill, it does not rule you out as an applicant. If you’re the best candidate, years of experience won’t matter in the end.
Does having an interview mean I will get the job?
Not necessarily. While landing an interview certainly moves you a step closer to getting a job offer, other candidates have likely also been invited to interview, and the one who proves — in the interview — to be the best fit for the organization and the job will likely get the offer.
How does the interviewee know what kind of interview will be conducted?
You can always try asking. Contact the assistant to the person who will be interviewing you and ask if that person can tell you what to expect in the interview, what style of question, for example. If you can't get an answer, consult your network to see if anyone you know (or that one of your contacts knows) can tell you what interviews are like at this organization.
WHO IS YOUR IDEAL CANDIDATE AND TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU SEE ME IN IT?
This question is usually asked during the job interview, but there are many examples of companies that place an ‘ideal candidate description’ in the form of a ‘must have’ or ‘nice to have’ lists in the vacancy posting.
Having a preliminary video call before being invited to a face-to-face interview is also becoming more popular.
Be as transparent as possible, also in this first phase, and show clearly when you are (or aren’t!) eligible for the job.
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT SOFT SKILLS FOR THIS JOB?
Soft skills are often difficult to express when it comes to ‘job requirements’. It is something you must experience from each other. Using certain tooling or learning patterns is not the same as how we communicate with each other and how one reacts in certain situations.
We are increasingly moving from ‘who am I and what can I do’ to ‘how do I behave as …’.
In my opinion, soft skills can be tested best with a specially designed assessment. From personality and learning ability to the ‘mindset test’. This is often very important for the candidate, namely knowing ahead if and how they ‘match’ with the company culture.
How long should be my resume/cover letter?
Your cover letter should be no more than a page. It should simply explain who you are and why you are the best candidate very concisely. It should keep the hiring manager waiting for more.
Your resume should also be limited to a page in length. Especially, if your work experience is less than 10 years. Employers spend a fraction of seconds on a single resume, hence it is important to impart strong keywords for yours to stand out.