How to land your dream job in 2017

With so many job search avenues available to job seekers today, thinking about where to prioritise your efforts can be a pain.

According to our latest poll, 54% of Malaysian job seekers have agreed that job sites remain the most preferred method of choice. Social media, headhunters and references from friends are considered less important.

And for those hunting for jobs in Malaysia are seeing an increase in hiring in 2017 - improving the number of online job postings in January, according to the Monster Employment Index.

But how can you make sure you land the job you have always been aspiring for? Here are some things you can do to make sure your job search efforts don’t go futile:

Customise your CV
You’ve been constantly reminded to keep your resume updated, but how often have you been told to tailor your CV and keep it relevant? Listing every career experience you’ve had may stretch your resume past the ideal length, so instead focus on writing down the experiences that can add to the role you’re applying for.

It’s important to keep your CV in an easy-to-digest format, detailing relevant employment experience and your key skills and eliminating what is not important for each role.

If you’re too confused about what to add and what to eliminate, jobsites like Monster have resume tools you can use.

· Right Resume to help craft your professional CV
· Resume Highlighter to help you highlight the right skills in your CV, and put yourself at the top of the consideration pile

Make the most of your online search
The popularity of job sites has dramatically changed the hiring landscape for employers and jobseekers. More jobs sites today have shifted from the traditional role of simply connecting jobseekers to companies.

Monster for instance, is armed with a portfolio of career management tools to make job searches as targeted and successful as possible.

Filter your job search and input the right keywords to make use of the tools available. With advanced filters and algorithms put in place, your online job search is sure to be very targeted!

Brush Up your Interview Skills
Even the most qualified job seekers need to prepare for job interviews. Interviewing is a learned skill, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression!

● Practice good nonverbal communication
You must demonstrate confidence at all times, standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a firm handshake. That first nonverbal impression can be a great beginning or quick ending to your interview.

● Be attentive
Your interviewer is giving you information from the very beginning of the interview, either directly or indirectly. If you are not listening, you are missing a major opportunity. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace.

● Don’t be over-friendly
Sharing more than what’s required with the interviewer could be a fatal mistake. When you have not prepared ahead of time, you may ramble when answering interview questions, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting, matching your skills with the position's requirements and relating only that information.

● Learn about interview best practices
From your attire, body language and negotiation techniques. We’ve got loads of them over at our Career Center.

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