Who Stole Your Dream Job?
Article by: Nikisha Thompson
Probably not someone more qualified, but definitely someone better prepared. Have you reviewed your "package" lately? Your package is the snapshot of yourself that potential employers use to evaluate whether or not you are the best qualified for a position. Often, the person with the best overall package will get the position, whether they are the most qualified or not.
So what makes up this "package"? It's a combination of things, from your appearance, to resume content. At each point of contact with your potential employer you are being judged. They must immediately screen out those who they feel won't fit with the company and to do this they look for subtle as well as obvious signs. They must determine whether or not you are professional enough, too professional, under-qualified, over-qualified, not aggressive enough, too agressive....and any other attributes will contribute to your success or failure in the position. Employers now realize that employees are their most prized asset; a company is only as strong as those that are running it.
It is important to realize that there is no perfect package for every position in every industry. Your package must be custom designed to fit the position you are applying for. You would feel silly interviewing for a position where you would be caring for marine life in a $300 suit with a briefcase in hand. Or applying for a job with a fashion company wearing a colorless outfit, with flat hair and no accessories. Start by doing research on the company and get a feel for thier culture. Check out their website if possible and look for goals, objectives, and values. You will want to emphasize these things when you revise your resume. Review the job description. What is it that they want you to do? Make it clear that you possess the skills they desire and adjust your job descriptions accordingly.
Resume writing is an art, not a science, and one that must be handled with care if you expect an interview. Nothing can make up for a lack of relevant experience, but there is a way to emphasize the experience you do have and play up your other achievements. Resume writers charge anywhere from $40 to $150 to create custom, professional resumes. My feelings are that you can create a much more personalized resume yourself with the right skills and knowledge. For under $15 you can read Resume Magic: Trade Secrets of a Professional Resume Writer, one of the best-rated resume resources on Amazon. This book will help you market yourself successfully for dozens less than a resume service.
Once you land an interview, your need for preparation does not cease. You must be able to show the best sides of your personality and give the employer what they are looking for. It is often difficult to predict what questions will be asked, but there are commonly asked interview questions you can use to practice generating responses. The resource I recommend to help you get started is Acing the Interview: How to Ask and Answer the Questions That Will Get You the Job (also under $15). I could go more into interview preparation here, but honestly, it's more than I can cover in a few short articles. Your best bet would be to spend a few hours reading over a well-reviewed, proven resource that can teach you everything you need to know and then some. More titles can be found in The ALEC Project Web Store.
Make sure you let your potential future employer know that you deserve the position at every point of contact. Leave nothing to chance! Remember, this is your dream job we're takling about.