If you are finishing college or just about to pass out of college, the main thing in your mind is getting a job. Even if you already have a job, you probably may be looking for a change for the better. In any case, getting a job is what helps you achieve success in your career. The job you are looking for should be one that has good career growth and pays you well. So, how do you do get a job? What are the things to keep in mind to get a job? Here is a guide tells you all you need to know about getting a job.

• Equip yourself in advance

Getting a job is like going for a war. It is no use entering a battlefield without weapons. You cannot hope to land the job of your dreams without the right kind of equipment. To get a good job, you need education, experience, and skills. If you are just out of college, the experience part is difficult. You can overcome this by working part-time during college. This helps you get an understanding of work life.

Apart from the educational qualification you pick up at college, an employer looks for skills. An employer often prefers candidates with the necessary skills for the job. These skills can be acquired through experience or training. Whether you are fresh out of college or already working, training equips you with skills needed to ace a job.

Thanks to the growth of online learning, there are websites like Coursera, Udemy, and EdX that offer MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). You can do these courses from wherever you are, whenever you want. Some of these courses are offered by top universities. You can thus learn valuable work-related skills and earn an additional qualification to add to your resume.

These skills acquired through training count a lot. The skills you possess differentiates you from others who have applied for a job. You can even consider attending training programs conducted evenings or weekends to pick up additional skills. All these are like weapons that you take to the battlefield of a job quest. They can help you get a job easily.

• Prepare the resume and cover letter

The resume contains your career profile and tells an employer all about you. Make sure you create a professional resume that highlights all your strengths and achievements. Don’t prepare a standard resume. Customize it with information relevant to the job and the company you have applied for. The cover letter is very important. It is a summary of your resume and tells the employer why you are the right person for the job.

Before you apply for a job, study the job description and requirements properly. Understand what kind of a person the employer wants to recruit. Prepare your cover letter keeping this in mind. The cover letter should highlight your principal skills, qualifications, and achievements. You should talk about what value you can add to the job. Remember that a recruiter receives hundreds of applications. What you write in the cover letter should stand out and make him take a second look at it.

• Establish your presence online

Recruiters nowadays search on the web to find out more about a candidate. If you want to get a job, you need to establish an online presence. You can start by creating an account on a professional career social network like LinkedIn. Your complete profile should be available. LinkedIn allows you to connect to professionals, including your teachers, colleagues, and bosses. You can even ask them to recommend you to a recruiter.

Apart from professional networks, you might have a presence on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and the likes. Do check out the type of content you have on your accounts on these platforms. You may have posted certain stuff for fun, but to a recruiter, it could look offensive. It may create a negative impression in the minds of a recruiter.

You can consider sanitizing your social media accounts and remove any posts that could be considered offensive. You can post content that is positive that can help to create a good impression. Remember, just as a company brands itself using social media, so can you.

• Understand the selection process and prepare accordingly

Once you apply for a job, you need to understand what the selection process is. Will there be written tests? Are there multiple rounds of selection? You can call up the recruiter and find out how they select candidates. Once you know the process, start preparing for it. Prepare yourself technically in your area of expertise so you can clear any test or technical interview.

Preparing for the interview is very important. Try to draw up an interview question list related to the job. Take the help of your friends and prepare answers to all these questions. Preparation helps you win a battle easily. The same is the case with interviews.

• Ace the interview

The interview is where the interviewer takes a decision whether to select you or not. You need to impress the interviewer. Dress well for the interview and present a professional appearance. Research about the company so you can be prepared to answer any question. Be calm, composed, and confident. Practice breathing exercises while you are waiting to be called inside the interview room. It helps you to de-stress.

Answer questions confidently. Don’t tell lies or give fake answers, a professional interviewer can find out easily. Focus on your strengths and be honest. Preparation can help you ace the interview easily. If the interview goes well, you may get a chance to negotiate your salary. Be prepared to ask for a specific salary and explain why you deserve it. End the interview on a positive and confident note expressing your desire to work with the company. Follow-up after the interview and keep in touch with the interviewer until you know the results.

Following these tips can easily help you get the job of your choice.