Today I’m going in a leetle bit of a different direction.

Yep.

Soz.

No ‘drama in the life of Ainsley’ today.

I’m gonna give you some real world skillz that’ll get you the job, the pay you want and pretty much OWN the company.

Sort of.

(ok, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here)

Most of you don’t know that I used to be a job skills trainer, a HR recruiter AND I’ve had more jobs than Barbie.

(I’ve also been fired from a few, but that’s another Ricki Lake show)

So here are my top 10 tips for nailing the application, the interview & the job.

Tip #1: Clarity

Get CLEAR around what you really want to do. What industry is it? What does the job entail? Will you actually LOVE it? Or are you doing it just because you have to?

Write out your ideal work day, including the type of people, the energy, the things you do as a story or a letter to a friend. That way you know what you’re looking for & it’ll be easier to align yourself energetically to it.

Tip #2: Research

Research job seeking sites to see what people are looking for in that field. Then see how you can match those things with your own skills.

Tip #3: Educate

If you lack certain skills, then get on Udemy, Skillshare, EdEx and other course sites & learn. If you want a customer service job, do a course on customer service. Admin? Do a typing speed course.

Tip #4: Go Skill Shopping

Sometimes the worst jobs will give you the best skills that’ll be worth millions in the future (like, literally). If your BIG goal is to start your own business so you can travel, then look for jobs that’ll teach you skills conducive to that (sales, social media, marketing, training).

For example, when my business wasn’t doing so well 2 years ago, I went & got a telesales job. I lasted a month as i freakin hated it (I was suffering from depression which didn’t help when people are telling you to fuck off 60 times a day).

BUT my confidence with sales went through the roof & I finally got over my fear of selling.

Tip #5: Mindset

You’ll never get the job if you go into the interview with low energy. So work on your mood every day!

Make sure you’re upbeat & happy when you write your cover letter & create your resume too, because your energy will come through in your words.

You also need to BELIEVE you’re going to get the job, that it’s a done deal. So journal around it, get really associated with it and really ramp up your energy & excitement levels.

Because nobody wants to work with Eeyore.

Tip #6: Don’t Get Oneitis

Putting too much expectation on getting a particular job might kill your chances … and if you don’t get it, it’ll knock your self esteem around.

So apply for HEAPS of jobs. Every.Single.Day!

The more you apply, the more likely you are to get one ASAP. And the less you’ll care if you don’t get a particular one.

Make applying for jobs a full time job.

Tip #7: Stand Out

Don’t use the boring standard words people use in their resumes like ‘fast learner’, ‘team player’, ‘reliable’. It’s a yawn fest. Use your own language and add your own flavour & energy to it.

Also, send them an accompanying video or audio talking about your skills & why you’d be awesome for the job.

Tip #8: Rejection Is A Learning Experience

Get rejected. Then don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. That way you know what to do better for the next interview.

Tip #9: Don’t Fluff

Recruiters don’t give a shit if you love tennis. ALL they care about is ‘can you do the job?’.

So get to the point in your letter, sprinkle it and your resume with keywords & phrases from the actual ad. Most recruiters skim when they look for skills because they’re only looking for keywords.

So put lots in both your letter & CV. And take out any irrelevant skills to make it easier for them to hone in.

Tip #10: Be Persistent

A ‘no’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘never’. If there’s a job/career you REALLY REALLY REALLY want, but you didn’t get it this time round, then go get another job while you keep trying.

Study up to get the skills you need, get experience in other places & then come back with a vengeance!

This happened to me with my tour guiding job on the 18–35’s bus with Top Deck.

I wanted the job at 21 but had no experience, was too immature etc.

I ended up getting it 5 years later because I’d studied tourism, tour guided at an eco camp, sold tours and then ended up (coincidentally) living with people who’d worked for that company.

Now go get a job ya lazy bum! (just kidding … sort of)

Ains :)