Taking the IELTS exam is just one part of your journey toward working in an English-speaking country. Once you achieve your desired band score, opportunities will come knocking on your door. Thus, it is important that you take exam preparations seriously. Joining an IELTS online course is the most convenient option for individuals who are too busy to enroll in a review center.
How do employers choose applicants?
Employers have certain standards when selecting candidates. Some important things they consider are the following:
1. Candidate’s profile – Your curriculum vitae (CV) and application letter give the employer an overview of your skills, accomplishments, educational background and work experiences. These details create an impression on your potential employer, so it is best to make it exceptional and noticeable by:
a. Stating your objective(s). If you are applying for a marketing position in an SEO company, establish your goal based on the company’s industry and line of expertise.
Example:
I am looking for a marketing position where I can apply my knowledge, skills and experience in search engine optimization and social media optimization. I would also like to contribute to the company’s growth.
b. Indicating your skills. Do not forget to list all your skills relevant to the job. If you are applying for a position in a web development company, you can mention your expertise and/or experience in web and graphics design, digital marketing and SEO and SMO, among others.
c. Enumerating tasks you have performed and accomplishments. Write about the tasks you have performed during your employment with your previous employer(s). This gives the prospective employer an idea of how flexible you are in terms of handling different tasks. You can also include the things you have achieved (e.g., awards or recognitions) or how you helped your team reach its target (e.g., sales, work force). You may also include school accomplishments if you are a fresh graduate.
d. Striving for a professional layout. Basic knowledge in Adobe Photoshop is useful in designing your CV. This is helpful especially when you are trying to land a job in creative industries. A good layout can make your CV stand out. If you are not familiar with Photoshop, you can search for websites that offer free résumé templates.
To keep it professional looking, you can:
• Use eye-friendly colors such as black, blue and gray.
• Use three-color combinations at most. You can look at the color wheel to know which colors to combine.
• Minimize icons. Though figures help guide readers, too much of these can make your CV look like an infographic.
• Use bullets to enumerate your skills and experiences. Note that employers do not read the entire page of your résumé, so make texts as short as possible.
2. Experiences and skills – Companies look at your work accomplishments and evaluate if your experiences and skills fit the demands of the position. Make sure that your skills and field of expertise are in line with the nature of the company.
3. Interview – Once your profile is noticed, employers will call you for an interview. During face-to-face conversations, employers get a closer look of the applicants. They ask you situational questions that assess how well you handle workloads, interact with colleagues and adjust to the working environment.
Common questions include:
o How do you handle stress?
o What can you offer to the company?
o How do you see yourself five years from now?
Give the interviewer a clear view of what you can do for the company. You can bring your portfolio to show sample works and certificates of seminars/workshops you have attended. More importantly, research about the company. No matter how good you are in answering questions, if you do not know anything about the business, there is a high probability that you will not get the job.
4. Examination results – Tests measure your skills and knowledge of the position you are applying. Some companies invite applicants for examinations, while others send it via e-mail. The key is to read the instructions carefully and to review if needed before you take exams.
5. Salary expectations – Even if you pass the interview and the examination, your expected salary is still a deciding factor in getting the job. Some companies negotiate. However, if they think that your expected salary is too high and they could not afford or give it to you yet, chances are they will consider another candidate. Make sure that your expected salary matches your skills and experiences.
6. Evaluation of character references – The people you list as references—such as your previous supervisor, colleagues or manager—are key players in winning the job. It is important that you inform them ahead of time, so they will have a chance to recall how you performed when you worked with them. Believe it or not, the opinion of your character references can make or break your application.
The criteria listed are just some of the things that employers consider when choosing the right candidate for the position. What matters most is how well you package yourself to fit into the company's vision, mission and values.
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