Nothing is more disappointing than applying for the perfect job and getting an email a couple of days later that you didn't get it. Or not hearing back from the company at all. On second thought... that is much more disappointing. If you want to be spared from these painful experiences, you are in the right place.
Building Your Skills, Experience, and Connections
To get that dream job, you must build your skills and experience to prove you are worthy to work in social media. No hiring manager will hire an applicant who does not qualify for the open position. In fact, according to Vice, some recruiters will blacklist applicants that apply to positions they aren't qualified for. For this reason, I strongly recommend looking deep into the job description when applying to a company you want to work at.
Examining each job posting thoroughly is important to ensure you meet the requirements being demanded. Job posters don't expect you to meet every detail to a T, but you will want to ensure you meet most of them. If you don't have much experience in a certain aspect of a job, you might consider learning more about it or gaining more experience. The post, How to Prepare for Your Social Media Career, is a good read to learn how to improve your skills and experience to meet job requirements.
Another way to boost your odds of getting a job is to make connections. Connections, whether professional or personal, can help you get a foot in the door at many companies. A study done by LinkedIn revealed that nearly 70% of new hires have a professional connection within the company they get hired at. Having an inside relationship can help candidates get access to exclusive or early job openings, gain insight into what recruiters are looking for in their cover letter and interview, and be able to put in a good word to the hiring manager on their behalf.
The best way to do this is through professional experience. Professional connections are people you have connected with throughout your work career. This is typically a manager, coworker, or client. Typically, supervisors and managers have more work experience and might be able to hook you up with a job at a different company that they know. With coworkers, over a few years, they might work at a company you become interested in, where they can get you a job. Clients can also be leveraged if you make a good impression on them. They already have a good example of what you are capable of. Now they just need to make sure you are a good fit.
Connections you make academically can also be important. Professors are normally well-networked and can get you in touch with someone inside an organization you might be interested in. They also have a good idea of your work ethic and could recommend you. Classmates could also prove valuable in the future. You never know if the person sitting next to you in class might be your boss someday. In conclusion, be friendly at work and during classes, and always try your best. This should give you plenty of great connections in no time.
Getting to The Interview
Did you know that, on average, only 2% of job applicants receive an interview from employers? Job openings receive many applicants; sometimes, being qualified isn't enough to get an interview. Successful applicants must go the extra mile to beat the system and stand out to employers.
A perfectly crafted resume is extremely important when applying for a job. It should concisely highlight your most relevant experiences and accomplishments, showcasing why you are right for the job. Applicants should tailor their resumes to the job description to stand out to employers. This way, you are directly addressing the needs of the company. Also, make it a point to include many of the job description's keywords. If the keywords match up, your application will appear more toward the top list of applicants online.
A cover letter is often even more important in the application process. Cover letters let you go into more detail about experiences on your resume. You will once again want to tailor this document to each job description, using the same keywords and language they use. Indeed recommends "mentioning specific aspects of the company that appeal to you, qualifications that make you an ideal candidate for the job, and contributions you would make if you took the role." Also, remember to thank the hiring manager for reviewing your application and include a call to action at the end, indicating that you would like an interview.
Some people even go as far as coordinating the time and day that they turn in their applications. Vice employees found that applicants who apply for a job between 6-10 am are five times more likely to receive an interview. Applying during this time is likely more successful because recruiters will just be getting to work and looking at applicants. It is also best to apply to an open position within the first three to four days of its posting. Most companies want to hire as soon as possible, and you don't want to apply too late and miss your chance.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to research and try to find the hiring manager's name as well. This will allow you to address them directly in your cover letter and make a connection with them. Indeed suggests following up with the hiring manager two weeks after applying. This gives them a chance to look through all applicants, and sending them a follow-up email shows that you are persistent and interested. Even if you don't get the job this time, the hiring manager might recognize your effort and could give you another opportunity in the future.
Winning The Interview
If you've reached the interview stage, don't celebrate just yet. Interviewing with the employer is where you finally seal the deal. When interviewing, you need to be ready for just about anything. This includes doing a little research and practicing to prepare yourself.
You might have already done some research when making your resume and cover letter, but this time go even further. Interviewees should be able to know most of the basic information about a company. HubSpot believes that applicants must at least know the products and services, ownership, customer demographics, and competitors of the company they are interviewing with. If you don't have an answer to "What do you know about our company?", you might as well cross your name off the list. This information can be found fairly easily online through the company's website.
It's also important for the applicant to practice interviewing before the real deal. I have found success by utilizing Big Interview, a website built specifically for practice interviewing. The website will ask you common to advanced interview questions and can even base them on your industry. It will give you recommendations on how to answer and record them so you can critique yourself.
Moz, a popular SEO website, has a few specific recommendations to keep in mind while interviewing. The first is to stay on point. The key is to make your point using only the necessary details. The recruiter will typically have many applicants and doesn't want to hear you ramble about any information that isn't pertinent.
Another is to tell the truth. Don't try to make up an answer that sounds good to the recruiter. They have usually been through plenty of interviews and can tell a lie when they hear one. If you know the answer to a question but can't think of it, don't be afraid to take a breath or even ask to return to the question later. Don't be scared to say that if you don't know the answer. Plus, you are showing honesty which can go a long way.
Also, try to come up with a few questions for the interviewer. This shows you are interested in the company and want to learn more. Typical questions can be about what a typical day looks like, what the work environment is like, why the last person in that position left, what the interviewer's favorite part about working for the company is, and many more options. Make sure to have a few questions ready in case the interviewer answers before you even ask them.
Lastly, send a thank-you letter or email once the interview is over. Handwritten notes can help stand out from other applicants. If this isn't a feasible option, an email also works efficiently. Make sure to thank the interviewer and re-address your interest in the position. It would be great to mention a specific detail discussed in the interview to show you paid attention. Writing the thank-you letter within 24 hours while the interview is still fresh is recommended.
Are you ready to win your next job? The hiring process is long and tedious. Sometimes you can do everything right and still not get the job. It is important to keep your head up and learn from each experience. That dream job will come along, and as long as you keep determined and persistent, you will always have a shot at it. If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more about interviewing, check out 3 Tips To Excel In Your Digital Marketing Interview by Danielle Emerson. Keep following The SMMU for more information on how to succeed and grow in social media.
Resources
Bennett, P. (2022, January 10). Interview Preparation Checklist: 18 tips to get the job. HubSpot Blog. Retrieved April 16, 2023, from https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/interview-preparation-checklist
D'Alessandro, C. (2019, March 4). How to actually get an interview after applying for a job. VICE. Retrieved April 16, 2023, from https://www.vice.com/en/article/bjqp75/how-to-actually-get-an-interview-after-applying-for-a-job
Indeed Editorial Team. (2023, April 7). How to get an interview and secure a job offer | indeed.com. Indeed. Retrieved April 16, 2023, from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-get-an-interview-and-secure-a-job-offer
Randolph, B. (2016, September 5). 10 things I've learned recently about hiring and applying for seo roles. Moz. Retrieved April 16, 2023, from https://moz.com/blog/10-things-ive-learned-hiring-applying-seo-roles
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