Apply? You should pay attention to this

23 September 2021

It can be exciting and overwhelming to apply for a new job. There is a lot to consider: you have to present yourself to your new employer as the suitable candidate and at the same time assess whether the work and the organization are right for you. To make it a little easier for you, we have listed a few useful tips. On to your dream job!
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Your personal advertising

You have a few resources to present yourself to future employers. The most important is your resume. Here you put who you are, what you can do and what experience you have. List all your previous positions, including official job title, period, a brief description of the activities and any results achieved. And does the vacancy say, for example, that you will end up in 'a dynamic, international organization'? Then show that you have gained experience with this in previous work!

You can also use social media as your professional showcase, especially LinkedIn. Make sure your profile is up to date and that you have a short summary about yourself. Who are you, what are you good at and what do you find important in your work? But your other accounts also play a role; there is a good chance that (the recruiter of) your future employer will google you. Check what they might encounter. Maybe there are photos or posts you should delete or accounts you should keep private.

Get to know the organization

The next step: learn more about the industry, organization and department where you will be working. What is the corporate culture like, what other people work and how formal is the organization? Read the vacancy text carefully, but also check the website, browse social media and inquire with acquaintances who work there. Ask yourself two questions: does the work (field) suit me and how do I ensure that my future employer understands this too? You can tailor your presentation to that. Via your resume and social media, but also in your motivation letter and job interview.

Motivate the match

Are you sure that the position and organization are a good fit for you? Explain why in your motivation letter. Argue why you are the ideal candidate, you can effortlessly participate within the company and have added value for the organization. In addition, explain relevant work experience from your CV. Make sure that your letter is no longer than A4. And last but not least: make sure your letter stands out. For example with a strong opening sentence, original angle or memorable bounce.

Extra tip: print the vacancy text or take a screenshot of it. Sometimes it is removed from the website for your conversation, while the text is useful for preparing the conversation and formulating questions.

The conversation

During the interview you basically do what you did in the cover letter: present yourself and explain why they should have you, and not one of the other candidates. Prepare your story well. Try to think about what you are good at and what your so-called 'learning points' are – one of the questions often asked during a job interview. What recruiters often ask you:

Why do you want to work here?
Here you can let us know that you have immersed yourself in the organization. For example, you can tell why the company culture suits you well or that you fully support the mission of the company.
Why are you suitable for the position?
The ideal opportunity to talk about your experience and skills, and how they fit in with the vacancy text (you need that text for this).

You can also expect questions about striking things on your resume, such as a gap in your employment history, a short employment contract or a study that you have not completed. As long as you can give a good reason for it, it doesn't have to affect your chances on the job. So it is useful to prepare the answer to such questions. In addition, it is good to ask questions yourself, which shows your interest and curiosity. And your clothes? Try to deduce from the company website how formal the organization is. Are all employees in suits in the photo? Then you better wear nice clothes.

Tips for an online job interview

These are special times with the coronavirus. Many companies choose to conduct the job interview digitally. This is different than you may be used to. Prepare yourself the same as for a physical interview. In addition, sit somewhere with a calm, relaxed background, choose the right angle for your camera and make sure you have a good internet connection. Try to practice beforehand. Does something go wrong during the interview or do you not feel comfortable applying online? Then make it negotiable. And if necessary, agree who is calling whom, so that you don't call past each other.

Adopted? Have your contract checked!

The last step of the application process is the terms of employment interview and the contract proposal. Don't be afraid to say what you want and bet high, as negotiating is a normal part of this step. Think about which arguments your future employer can use to give you a lower salary and formulate reactions to them. If necessary, you can also ask for a reflection period.

Are you offered a contract? Congratulations! Our last tip: have it checked by our legal specialists. They check whether the contract is in accordance with the law, whether the regulations regarding your salary, holidays, pension and sick leave are clear and whether there are no unfavorable provisions. And do they spot room for improvement? Then they will let you know what you can negotiate about and how you can best approach it.