As recruiters, we speak to individuals who are looking for jobs daily.

We thoroughly enjoy finding the best talents for our clients, but we’re often surprised at the lack of preparation on a CV, LinkedIn profile, or introduction email. Making a good first impression is imperative in your job hunt, as it only takes a few seconds for a recruiter or hiring manager to decide whether a candidate is worth pursuing.

Here are a few tricks of the trade that may help you, even if you’re not on the job market just yet.

1. LinkedIn is basically your Tinder profile for future employers.

If a recruiter or hiring manager doesn’t like what they see, odds are, they aren’t going to swipe right and set up a first date. And no, we’re not talking about your profile picture. Add descriptions in your profile to let potential employers know what you can do, and what you’ve learned in each of your previous roles.

2. Always have an updated copy of your CV available.

Every time you start a new job, note the experience and responsibilities that come along with the role, then save this information and email it to yourself. This will help you next time you apply for a role; making the process of updating your CV quick and easy, by saving you from needing to start from scratch.

3. Who still has spelling errors in their CV?

Yes, mistakes happen, but there are tools that can help your writing if this is not your strong suit. Download Grammarly, for example, to double-check the tone of your writing, as well as your spelling and grammar. If you’re going to go to the effort of marketing yourself, but don’t take the time to check your spelling, the person reading your CV might see this as a “lack of attention to detail” when it matters most.

4. Make an effort to connect.

Where possible, try to contact the person advertising the job you are applying for. Recruiters, HR professionals, and hiring managers look at hundreds of CV’s every day, and they are more likely to remember people who connected with them via. LinkedIn, sent them a message, made an effort to call them, or popped into their office.

5. When did you last see your degree?

Photocopy any important documents and email them to yourself (e.g., ID, passport, proof of residence, etc). You’ll then have all these documents to hand and never find yourself digging through old boxes in your mum’s storeroom at short notice! 
Similarly, make sure you can quickly and easily access examples of projects you completed or contributed to in previous roles. Highlighting your achievements and confidently speaking to relevant aspects – particularly measurement metrics – demonstrates your skills and capabilities to potential employers.

6. Tailor your CV.

Only you know how your experience applies to a certain role, so make sure the person looking at your CV understands why YOU think you are perfect for the position. Titles are interchangeable these days – a role at one company may include responsibilities that someone with the same title at a different company, may not – so make sure your CV emphasises the responsibilities and achievements from your current and previous roles that are also relevant to the role you’re applying for.

7. Don’t just apply for every role!

One of our consultants had a candidate who applied to over 200 roles within a month. Now, every time their name pops up on one of our screens, it’s assumed that the candidate has not even read through the job spec and is simply trying their luck. Don’t be that candidate.

8. Beware, the rumours are true!

Recruiters and hiring managers will check your social media. Potential employers want an insight into your personality and interests and to understand what you deem appropriate to put online!

9. Don’t lie about your current salary.

There is a high chance that the person making you an offer will request your current payslip, and being caught in the lie of overstating your current salary to negotiate a higher salary for your next role makes it awkward for everyone involved – especially when it comes to facing your future employer every day.

10.  And while we’re talking about salaries…

Decide what salary you would like before you start your job hunt. Recruiters can provide insight into industry benchmarks, but potential employers aren’t going to tell you what you are worth. If you’re leaving your current position because you aren’t happy with the salary, decide on a number that you want (be reasonable) and stick to it. Just make sure you can justify the jump.

Our team at Salt are specialists in every aspect of digital recruitment. We partner with our clients to place the best individual talent and create some of the most exciting digital futures globally. Upload your CV here or search to find jobs. You can also keep in the loop by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.