With the ongoing economic fallout from COVID-19, the Australian graduate market and wider employment pool have completely dried up. Huge companies have instituted nationwide hiring freezes, leaving recent graduates in limbo as they scramble for new opportunities or supplement their lives with casual labour.
Now, more than ever, you must do your very best when applying for work. Graduate opportunities are limited, and making a good first impression has never been more critical. Here are the three big mistakes job applicants are making, according to well-known employers.
Forgetting about networking
Networking is something every worker should be doing. Even if you are completely safe in your current role, keep networking and socialising within professional circles. LinkedIn is a great social media platform to achieve. In many respects, LinkedIn has made networking a whole lot easier, thanks to its instant messaging, job posting and resume building. The platform was launched way back in 2003 by a group of entrepreneurs led by Reid Hoffman.
Under-preparing
Time and time again, job applicants are arriving at their interviews with minimal preparation. You don’t need to know everything about the company; however, it is vital that you know about your role and what you believe you will be doing with the company should you be successful. A comprehensive knowledge of the company is useless if you don’t have any idea what your job entails.
Amend your resume/style for each interview
When it comes to applying for a new job, it isn’t a “one size fits all” type of deal. In fact, it is the exact opposite. Your resume, the way you present yourself and your answers should be tailored to each role, as this will allow you to accentuate the crucial professional capabilities you have that are relevant to the task description.
