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What to Wear in an Interview?

Interviews can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of a job application. It’s stressful enough preparing for possible questions, but more so when you think of what to wear in an interview.

While this might seem minor in contrast to your answering skills, the reality is that your interview attire plays a massive role in how employers evaluate you. Of course, your qualifications still matter the most, but the way you present yourself can also affect their perception. For example, in a survey of over 1,000 interviews, 95% said that an applicant’s appearance is a reflection of their professionalism.

So, to ease your worries and help you out, here’s a guide detailing appropriate interview outfits for men and women. Regardless of what job you’re applying for, it’s important to look neat and presentable to leave a good first impression on your potential employer.

How to Decide What to Wear in an Interview

It can be tricky deciding what to wear for a job interview since dress codes vary per company. Some have professional settings that require formal attire, whereas others are less uptight and have a more casual dress code.

Either way, you want to make sure you wear something appropriate for your interview. The last thing you want is to underdress or overdress since this might show recruiters that you aren’t fit for the company’s culture and environment. So to avoid sending this message, here are a few things you can do to figure out what type of interview attire you should prepare.

Research the Company

You may have already done this in your initial application, but your goal now is to try to see what employees usually wear in the workplace. First, look at the company’s website to get a feel of their culture or environment. Some may be more corporate and formal, while others are more friendly and casual. 

Likewise, you can check the company’s social media accounts to see if you can find pictures of other employees. This can give you some idea of what the company dress code is. But if you still can’t find any information from these sites, you can call your recruiter to ask about it.

Understand Different Dress Codes

If you’re a new applicant with little to no experience preparing job interview outfits, it helps to understand the differences in company dress codes. Generally, you can categorize your options into three main types:

  • Business Formal. This is the most formal dress code, which often applies to traditional business settings like banking, accounting, finance, law, and consulting. It’s sometimes also called business professional attire and refers to the standard crisp and unwrinkled full match suit. 

Business Casual. This is the most common type of interview attire since it sits in the middle of casual and formal. While there’s no one way to define this, business casual is usually described as being more lenient than traditional business wear but still professional-looking. 

  • Casual. This is the most informal category of the three. Technically, it isn’t really a dress code since you’re not bound by rules and can wear comfortable clothing. But of course, even with a casual culture, you should still wear something appropriate. Some examples of clothes that aren’t suitable for the workplace include gym attire and sleepwear. 

Interview Outfits for Women

It can be challenging to find the right interview clothes for women, especially with all the options. Generally, it’s best to stick with conservative colors like black, white, navy blue, or gray for interviews to maintain professionalism. However, if you want to inject some personality into your outfit, you can add a splash of color with subtle shades like powder pink or light blue. 

Now, to help you differentiate what specific clothes fall under each dress code, here are some guidelines you can follow: 

Business Formal

For business formal attire, you can opt for a traditional suit combination consisting of a solid-colored blouse and blazer, slacks, and closed-toe shoes like pumps or ballet flats. If you prefer wearing pants, it’s advisable to go with a pantsuit to get a matching pair of pants and suit jacket. 

Alternatively, you can also wear a knee-length dress with a blazer or replace the slacks with a knee-length skirt. Whatever the case, keep your hair neat and makeup light and natural. You can wear accessories, but keep it minimal and don’t use loud pieces since they can be distracting.

Business Casual

The standard business casual attire for women includes a professional top, dress pants, and closed-toe shoes. For the top, you can wear a classic button-down shirt or a presentable blouse, provided that it’s not low cut. 

You can also swap the pants for a skirt or opt for a dress instead if you prefer. Regardless, make sure your skirt or dress is at least knee-length. Likewise, if you’ll be pairing these with tights, double-check that there aren’t any holes or ladders. 

Since business casual is slightly more relaxed, you can be a bit more playful with your accessories. However, don’t go overboard since you still want to look polished. For example, a pair of pearl studs or gold hoop earrings can go a long way.

Casual

If you’re preparing for a casual job interview, like in a new startup or cafe, you naturally still want to look presentable. Generally, you can wear a regular t-shirt or blouse as long as they aren’t too revealing. As for bottoms, you have plenty of options—jeans, knee-length or midi skirts, tailored pants, and others.

In terms of shoes, you can go for the standard closed-toe shoes or boots. But if you prefer open-toed options, you can opt for a pair of dressy sandals, but not flip-flops or slippers!

Interview Outfits for Men

In most cases, choosing interview outfits for men is not as complicated as for women since there’s less variation in the types of clothes you can wear. Similar to the case for women, it’s also best to stick with conservative colors like black, gray, navy blue, or khaki for men’s suits. Likewise, you can never go wrong with white shirts, but you can also wear navy or stripes in some instances.

Again, to help you distinguish between different dress codes, here are guidelines on preparing an interview attire for men:

Business Formal

Business formal attire for men essentially means a full match suit with a solid-colored tie. You can opt for a two-piece or three-piece suit with a white or light-colored dress shirt. Pair this with a pair of polished dark-colored shoes with matching socks, then keep accessories to a minimum. In most cases, it’s already enough to have a watch.

Business Casual

For a business casual interview, you usually have more relaxed options. You can wear a button-down shirt with chinos, trousers, or dress pants and leather shoes in matching socks to keep it simple. Other options include a polo shirt with slacks or even a sweater on top of a button-down shirt with slacks. Generally, the rule of thumb is to wear a collared top and no jeans.  

Casual

When it comes to casual wear, a good choice will be to pair some chinos or jeans with a buttoned shirt or collared polo and loafers for shoes. Of course, you can also wear a regular t-shirt, but as much as possible, make sure it’s a solid color and doesn’t have graphic drawings. Likewise, you should still make sure your hair is neat.

lady confuse what to wear

What Not to Wear in an Interview

Now that you’ve gotten a better idea of what to wear in an interview, here are just some reminders on what not to wear in an interview. These can make you look unprofessional and leave the wrong impression on a hiring manager, so remember to avoid the following:

  • Flashy and bright colors
  • Loud accessories 
  • Ripped jeans or shorts
  • Shirts with too-low necklines
  • Strapless tops and dresses
  • Athletic clothes like leggings
  • Heavy perfume or cologne
  • Excessive makeup

Dress for Success with Your Job Interviews through Bridges Staffing Agency

Ultimately, it’s important to dress appropriately for any job interview to display professionalism and show that you value your opportunity. 

If you’re seeking high-quality career opportunities, Bridges Staffing Agency has you covered. As a premier employment agency, we connect job applicants with companies seeking to fill vacant positions. Based on your skills and credentials, we’ll match you with suitable openings to help you land a job interview. And when this happens, we’re confident that you’ll know what to wear in an interview. 

To learn more about how to find job opportunities, call us today at (843) 612-8414 or get in touch through our website.

 

 

 

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find a job online
Best Way to Find a Job Online

Job hunting is no easy feat. With all the steps involved in the process and the tough competition in the market, you’ll need lots of time and effort wading through postings, filling out applications, and waiting to hear back. 

That said, the job search scene has changed drastically in the last several years. Where people used to check the classified ads, you now have the Internet to apply for different opportunities. Of course, searching for a job online has made it easier to find jobs, but it’s also become overwhelming because of all the available resources and information.

So to help you out, here’s a guide on how to search for a job online and maximize the efficiency of your search.

Tips for Your Online Job Search

Conducting an online job search sounds easy at first, but it’s easy to get lost in a sea of hundreds or thousands of job postings and remote opportunities. Thus, you should start by building a solid game plan to use your time wisely. Check out the tips below to increase your chances of hearing back from an employer or staffing agency in Charleston, SC more quickly.

Determine Your Career Goals

The best way to start your job hunt is by identifying your career goals. As a fresh graduate or first-time job seeker, you should think about where you envision yourself in your career. This provides a sense of purpose and gives you a better idea of what jobs and companies to apply for online.

Even if this isn’t your first time browsing through job listings, it’s still helpful to reflect on your career and decide how you want to proceed moving forward. Think about what you have achieved so far and where you see yourself in the coming years. It’s natural to change your plans as you move along your career journey, so always remember to re-assess and think about whether your initial goals still hold.

Build Your Resume and Cover Letter Properly

When it comes to online job applications, your resume and cover letter will play a huge role in the hiring outcome. They’re the first things that recruiters see from candidates, so it’s important that you make an impact with them and catch their attention. To do this, you should take the time building your resume and cover letter, especially if it’s your first time applying. 

Format your resume correctly and include relevant experience and skills that align with the position you’re aspiring for. Make sure you also include keywords from the job title description to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Around 75% of candidates fail the screening process due to low scores from the ATS, so it’s important to optimize your resume accordingly.

After, write a compelling cover letter that explains why you’re a good fit for the company and qualified for the job. Make sure you also show your passion and enthusiasm for the role. This can sometimes make the difference between acceptance and rejection since employers can see how committed you are about the position.

Network with Professionals

Networking can be a powerful tool for job applicants, especially if you still haven’t built much professional experience. It allows you to find hidden remote work opportunities, grow your connections, and seek advice from others. Now that the job market is so competitive, networking also gives you a competitive advantage through increased visibility for employers.

It’s understandable to feel hesitant about networking, but don’t let this fear stop you from trying. Think of it as a way to connect with new people and build relationships rather than a be-all-and-end-all in your job search, so you can create more organic interactions. Here are some tips that can help you get started:

  • Start with your inner social circle, such as your friends
  • Connect with people from the same roles or industries
  • Write recommendations for people you have positive experiences with
  • Create a compelling headline about who you are and how you envision your career trajectory

Clean Up Your Social Media Profiles

Before you conduct your job search, make sure to check your social media profiles for negative content that can harm your chances of getting hired. A good starting point will be to Google yourself to see what shows up since 43% of HR professionals do this to research candidates. 

In most cases, your social media accounts will show up in the search results, so it’s important to keep your photos and information professional. Now that employers and recruiters are paying more attention to their applicants’ online presence, they can accept or reject someone based on what they find in their search.

Narrow Your Search

While there’s nothing wrong with applying for as many jobs as possible, narrowing your search makes it easier to zero in on the most relevant opportunities. Logically speaking, you’ll have the highest chance of acceptance in roles that match your qualifications and skills. Thus, it would save you time and effort to focus on these applications instead of trying everything out, especially roles that are clearly out of your knowledge or skill set.

Post Your Resumes Online

Aside from applying on job search sites, you can also try looking for sites that allow you to post your resume online. For example, employment agencies in Charleston SC or staffing agencies in North Charleston SC can connect job applicants to companies looking to fill vacant positions. So you can send your resume to them to widen your search radius and increase your chances of getting a job opportunity.

Use Job Search Engine

Job search engines will be your best friend during the application process. They’re easily one of the best job searching tools to use since they make it easy to view hundreds of job listings on a single platform. Of course, you’ll need to filter through these postings by using the right search terms, but having many options in one place makes it easy to mass-apply to companies.

Best Job Search Engines for Applicants

As mentioned in the tips above, job search engines are one of the best answers to how to search for a job online. So to save time in the job hunt, here are the best job sites you should use. Aside from optimizing your search to find relevant opportunities, make sure you also sign up for job alerts to get notifications right when new job postings go live.

  • Indeed. Indeed is the world’s largest job site, featuring millions of listings from various sources. A study found that the site delivers 2.5x more hires globally than other sites combined, which makes it no surprise that it consistently ranks as the top job search engine. Aside from this, Indeed is free to use, so it’s really the perfect destination for any job seeker.
  • Glassdoor. If you want to learn more about what it’s like to work for a certain employer before applying for them, you can check out Glassdoor. This site allows you to search for job opportunities and read about the company’s work culture, salary data, and benefits. You also get to see employees’ reviews and interview experiences, which can help you prepare if you decide to push through with your application.
  • Ladders. Contrary to other job sites, Ladders is unique in that it only provides listings with annual salaries of at least $100,000. This proposition makes it a great site for experienced professionals looking for high-paying jobs.
  • LinkedIn. While LinkedIn is more recognized as a professional networking platform, it’s also a great place to scout job opportunities. After filling out your profile, you can apply to open positions posted by different companies. Of course, recruiters will likely be looking at your LinkedIn profile in the screening process, so it’s important that you optimize your profile and update it accordingly. 
  • AngelList. AngelList is the best site for job seekers who want to work in startups. Like Glassdoor, it’s also highly transparent with salary ranges and recruiters, so you get to know who exactly will be reading your resume and cover letter. The platform provides a text box for your cover letter, so make sure you maximize this to highlight why you’re a good fit for the role.
  • ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is a popular choice for employers since it allows them to send their postings to hundreds of job boards in a single click. That said, you can also create an account as a job seeker and potentially get connected to employers based on ZipRecruiter’s matching technology.

online jobs

Other Online Resources

While job sites are the most commonly used resource to find a job online, you don’t need to limit yourself to these search engines. Here are other resources you can use to search jobs online: 

  • Company Websites. Some company websites may advertise openings on their Careers page. If not, it’s still useful to check these to learn more about an employer. Get to know the company’s history, mission, vision, core values, and objectives to see if the company is a good fit for you. And if it is, you have a clearer idea of how to customize your resume or approach your interview.
  • Remote Job Sites. The pandemic has led to a surge in remote positions, so it’s worth exploring these to find opportunities outside your geographic area. Some popular platforms include We Work Remotely and JustRemote. As their name suggests, they provide listings for partial or fully remote jobs.  
  • Social Media Platforms. Aside from LinkedIn, you can also browse other social media networks like Facebook and Twitter for potential jobs. Some companies may have dedicated Career pages on social media to advertise openings. If you’re using Twitter, you can search relevant hashtags to try finding new postings.

Find High-Quality Careers Through Bridges Staffing Agency

There’s no secret formula to conducting the best job search, but taking the time and effort to plan ahead makes all the difference. If you’re looking for high-quality careers in 2022, Bridges Staffing Agency can help you advance your career by providing you with relevant job opportunities from companies seeking qualified candidates.

Finding a job online can be challenging, so allow Bridges Staffing Agency to assist you in your search. Contact them today at (843) 612-8414 or apply online through their website to be considered for potential employment offers.

 

Bridges Staffing Agency Marketing Team
How to Write a Resume for a Job Application (Like a Professional)

The moment you start looking for jobs, the resume becomes one of the most important tools in your arsenal. This serves as a recruiter or employer’s first touchpoint with you, so it’s your big chance to make an impression and land an interview. With all the tough competition in the job market today, knowing how to make a professional resume can make all the difference.

So to help you through this step, here’s a guide walking you through the steps on how to write a resume—even without any experience! We’ll also address common questions like the right skills to put on a resume, what a resume should look like, and other concerns.

How to Write a Resume with No Experience

It’s understandable to feel intimidated if you’re writing a resume with no experience. The reality is that you can spend hours making it, only for employers to spend seven seconds looking at it. So to make sure you catch their attention in that short time, here are key steps on how to write a resume for a job with no experience.

Choose the right format

Before anything else, you’ll need to choose a resume format since this is the first thing that recruiters will notice. The right type ultimately depends on how much experience you have and what job you’re applying for. 

  • Reverse Chronological. With this format, you write your most recent work experiences first. It’s the most popular resume format and best used when you have plenty of relevant work experience. HR managers and recruiters also prefer this the most, so it’s considered the gold standard when writing resumes.
  • Functional. This format is also called skills-based since it focuses more on your skills rather than your work history. It’s usually suitable for fresh graduates or job seekers trying to change industries. However, it’s also a risky choice since recruiters aren’t fond of the format and believe it covers gaps in a candidate’s experience.

Hybrid. The hybrid resume combines the first two formats. On top, you put your skills and accomplishments. Then at the bottom, you highlight your work history. It’s a great alternative to the functional resume if you’re trying to change careers but don’t want to make it look like you’re hiding gaps in your experience.

Use an organized and readable layout

Once you’ve chosen a format, you might be wondering—what should a resume look like? It’s best to use a simple resume template with basic colors like black or dark blue when applying for traditional industries. But for more creative industries like graphic design or PR, you can play around with the design more.

Generally, there’s no specific layout you should follow. However, it’s important to keep it organized, neat, and easy to follow. Here are some design tips to help you out:

  • Make clear section headings with larger text
  • Allocate enough white space to avoid cramming information
  • Use an easy-to-read font like Arial and Cambria
  • Keep the font size between 10 to 12 pt for body text
  • Set even margins across all sides (ideally 1-inch)

Write your name and contact information

The top of your resume should have your name and contact information. The latter is particularly important since you want to make sure recruiters can reach you easily. Generally, your phone number, email address, and location should suffice. If applicable, you can also include information like your LinkedIn URL, personal blog, or online portfolio.

Add a resume objective

Creating a resume summary is usually a good way to sell yourself and make a good first impression quickly. But for fresh graduates or applicants planning to change careers, you can instead write a resume objective. This is a two to three sentence overview highlighting your career goals and convincing employers why you’re a good fit for the job.

Use numbers to highlight outcomes

It’s easy to write sentence after sentence of your past experience or responsibilities. However, what employers are most concerned about are the outcomes. In short, what were the results of your efforts? 

Whenever possible, use hard numbers and data to quantify your accomplishments. For example, if you headed an event for school, you can include the number of people you led in your team and the number of attendees. Or if you spearheaded a fundraiser, write out how much you earned from the initiative.

Write your education details

Education details usually come after work experience. But if you’ve never worked before, you can place it first. For university degree holders, no need to mention high school details. You just need to write out your university and program name and the years you attended the school. Don’t forget to include Latin honors, if any, and your GPA if it’s at least 3.5.

Showcase your skills

The skills section is critical in resumes since this allows you to show employers why you qualify for a role. Generally, here are the main skills to put on a resume:

  • Hard Skills. These are technical and measurable abilities that you usually get from education or training. Some jobs require specific skills for the role, so you should highlight these on your resume. For example, if you’re applying for a web developer position, some must-have hard skills include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • Soft Skills. These are more of personality traits and interpersonal skills that describe your work ethic and how you interact with others. As surprising as it sounds, 97% of employers say that soft skills are just as important or even more important than hard skills. 

Naturally, skills will vary per candidate, but it’s also useful to include “universal skills” that make you more competitive in all jobs. These include soft skills like leadership, teamwork, and communication, and hard skills like Excel and writing.

Include relevant keywords

98% of the Fortune 500 companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen resumes for high-volume applications. Even small companies are jumping on the bandwagon because it makes the recruitment process much easier. So, as an applicant, you’ll need to optimize your resume with relevant keywords to avoid missing out on opportunities.

To find keywords, you can scan through the job postings you’re interested in and look for important keywords or phrases in the job description or responsibilities. Take note of hard and soft skills, industry or company buzzwords, and other things you can include in your resume. Try to include keywords throughout different sections in the resume to make them easy to find.

Write a cover letter to complement your resume

It’s always helpful to submit a resume with a cover letter to increase your chances of getting accepted. It’s a great way to expound on how your experience, skills, and knowledge align with your desired role. It also allows you to talk about why you’d be a good fit for the company and why you want to fill the position. 

FAQs about Writing a Resume for Job Applications

How long should my resume be?

Ideally, resumes should just be one-page long. The goal is to make them as short as possible while still highlighting the important information. In most cases, you should only go beyond the one-page rule if you have an impressive range of experience and achievements to showcase.

Do I need more than one version of my resume?

You don’t necessarily need many versions, but it’s also important to tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for. Generally, the best practice is to have a standard version of your resume with clear goals. Then, you can make slight changes in the skills and experiences you want to highlight.

What should I write if I don’t have relevant experience in the job I’m applying for?

If you have no relevant work experience, you can make up for it by highlighting your education, academic projects, and co-curricular activities. Writing a strong cover letter can also help increase your chances of appealing to recruiters.

Send Your Resume to Bridges Staffing for Top Job Opportunities

It can be challenging to learn how to write a resume, especially if you have no experience. So if you’re looking for a job, consider applying online with Bridges Staffing Agency. As a trusted recruitment agency, Bridges Staffing Agency can help connect you to employers seeking to hire professionals for their company. 

If you’re interested in finding job opportunities, you can contact them at (843) 474-6826 or send them an email at info@bridgesstaffing.com.

Bridges Staffing Agency Marketing Team
man jeans waiting
How to Handle Job Rejection and Bounce Back Even Greater

Receiving a job rejection email is never an easy thing for job seekers. Whether it was from a dream company you’ve wanted to work for or a position that matches your career goals, rejections always sting and can put a damper on your self-esteem. When this happens, it’s normal to feel discouraged, unmotivated, and possibly even angry. After all, you’ve poured in so much time and effort in the application process—only to be rejected in the end. 

No doubt, rejections can cause self-doubt to creep in. You think, “Will I be able to have a successful career?” or “Will any company accept me?” You start asking yourself these questions which begin to undermine your confidence. While this is totally normal, it’s important not to let negative self-talk and fear take over, or you may have a harder time competing for more opportunities. 

To help you recalibrate your mindset, here are tips on dealing with a job rejection. It might not seem like it right now, but trust us when we say you can bounce back even greater from this experience!

Advice on Recovering from a Job Rejection

Dealing with the aftermath of a job rejection can be challenging, but the reality is that it’s a natural part of the job search process. If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut and struggling to move on, here is some useful advice to help you get through these challenging times.

Take time to work out your emotions

You may get overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions after getting rejected from a job opportunity. It is important to understand that there is nothing wrong with taking time to pause and process your thoughts and emotions. Your feelings are valid, so it’s essential to give yourself a reprieve before you get back to the search. This way, you can approach your next application with a clear mind and more positivity.

Don’t take the rejection personally

It’s easy to think that you’re not capable enough if you didn’t get the job, but this isn’t necessarily always true. Your application or interview result isn’t an accurate measure of your skills, strengths, and talents, so don’t take it personally.

While emotions can be high after a job rejection, it’s essential that you also keep some perspective and be realistic. Many factors can affect your application result, and some of these will be out of your control. Employers and staffing agencies in North Charleston, SC all have different considerations in the application process, so if they reject you, it doesn’t necessarily reflect on your capabilities. 

This is especially true with the current pandemic. Finding a job is much harder during this time as the economic recession has led companies to lay off employees or reduce their hiring intake. There’s still a lot of uncertainty about how the job market will progress, but this just goes to show how some things are beyond your control when looking for a job.

Know that you’re not alone

You may not know first hand what anyone else has experienced but you should always remember that you aren’t alone in this. Countless other job applicants have gone through the same thing. Remember, there can be only one candidate selected. The bottom line is that everyone goes through some kind of rejection at one point in their career, so don’t dwell on the negative when it happens.  

Focus on the future

Finally, once you’ve had time to process the rejection,  you can let the experience become the past and focus on future job opportunities. It’s understandable to feel discouraged, but you shouldn’t let this experience stop you from pursuing your career goals. So give yourself time to process your emotions, and when you’re ready, you can move forward with your head held high and a renewed determination to land your next job.

Ways to Bounce Back After a Job Rejection

Once you’ve recovered from the rejection and renewed your mindset, it’s time to work out your game plan. Take this experience as a stepping stone to learn from your mistakes and improve yourself so you can come back stronger and more prepared. 

Do something you love

Kickstart your job search in a positive light by doing something that puts you in a good mood. For those with an active lifestyle, you can head over to the gym or do your favorite workout at home. Exercise or any form of physical activity can help you feel happier and reduce the risk for anxiety, putting you in a great headspace to search for a new job.

It doesn’t have to be exercise. You can do anything you love, whether this is watching your favorite TV series, listening to music or grabbing a book from your shelf to read. As long as it reinforces a positive mindset and lifts your spirit, this will be an effective way to bounce back from a tough rejection.

Evaluate your performance 

Before you jump right back in the job hunt and send applications to companies or employment agencies in Charleston SC, take a step back to evaluate your performance. How do you think you did in the application or interview process? At which step of the search did you get rejected? Reflect and look back at your performance to see if there’s anything you can improve.

While some factors are out of your control, others can be changed, so think of whether you could’ve done any of these differently. Here are some key things you can assess in your self-evaluation:

  • Resume. Is your resume written and formatted properly for easy readability? Or did you optimize it with relevant keywords? The latter is particularly important these days as more companies are using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter through submissions. So next time, try to inject keywords from the job description you’re applying for to increase your chances of passing through the robot recruiter. Always keep in mind the quality of readability.
  • Interview Performance. Try to recall how your interview with the hiring manager went. Do you feel like your nerves got the best of you? Or were there any questions where you struggled to give a clear response? If so, try practicing your speaking skills in front of a mirror or family and friends. You can even ask someone to give you a mock interview with common job questions, so you can be more prepared for the next real one. If the question you could not answer showed you a skill you are lacking, take steps to gain the necessary knowledge to be better prepared. 

Social Networks. In case you didn’t know, your social networks can largely influence your application outcome as companies are now becoming more selective with their hiring processes. According to a 2018 report from CareerBuilder, around 70% of employers evaluate candidates’ social media profiles, and 60% of them have rejected a candidate upon seeing negative content. Thus, you may want to do a quick check to see if your profiles are free from offensive materials to ensure that they don’t hurt your chances of acceptance.

Refine your job search

As hard as it may be to face job rejections, these experiences can sometimes enlighten you on your career choice. In some cases, you might realize that the role you got rejected for wasn’t the right fit for you. Or perhaps the industry that you were applying for didn’t have the work environment or culture that you envision yourself in. 

Essentially, use your experience to refine your search for future opportunities. At times, it’s easy to get carried away with a company’s prestige or how nice a role sounds without thinking about whether it matches your goals or interests. If you aren’t fully invested in an application, it will show in your performance—which may have been a factor behind past rejection. 

So before you jump back in the search, reassess your career goals and think about what you really want to do. You never know—you might have been looking at the wrong places or for the wrong jobs.

group of managers

Tips to Ace Your Next Job Search

Job searching is no easy feat, especially with all the competition in the market today. So if you’re worried about potentially facing rejection again, here are some tips to help you ace your search. Of course, they won’t guarantee a sure acceptance, but they can increase your chances of standing out from the crowd and receiving a better outcome the next time around. 

  1. Organize your search efforts and keep track of applications.
  2. Read job descriptions thoroughly.
  3. Customize your resume to match the qualifications of the job you’re applying for.
  4. Quantify your work experience and accomplishments.
  5. Research about the company and role before your interview.
  6. Identify the company’s pain points that you can address with your skills.
  7. Build your professional network within LinkedIn.
  8. Find opportunities beyond online job postings.
  9.  Use the STAR method to answer interview questions.
  10.  Follow up after an interview by sending a thank you note.

Find High-Quality Careers in 2022 with Bridges Staffing

If you’re not sure how to get back on track after a job rejection, Bridges Staffing can help you. As a premier staffing agency Charleston SC, they work with a network of business owners and connect them to qualified candidates to fill vacant positions. In turn, job seekers can get in touch with them to find lucrative career opportunities.

Don’t let that one rejection stop you from achieving a successful career. Allow Bridges Staffing Agency to assist you through the search and connect you to opportunities that match your needs, skills, and capabilities. You can call them at (843) 612-8414 or visit their website to look for relevant job opportunities.

Bridges Staffing Agency Marketing Team
Candidate handling resume
Successful Career: Everything Job Seekers Need to Know in 2022

Every year, competition in the job market gets more intense. With new people constantly entering the workforce and employers becoming more selective, it’s no longer enough to do just the bare minimum when searching for a job. Now, you’ll need to pay more attention to even the most minor details to stand out and position yourself as the ideal candidate.

Is finding a successful career at the top of your resolutions this year? If so, it’s essential to understand the reality that job hunting is a stressful process that comes with many headaches. However, it makes a huge difference when job seekers come in prepared. So check out this guide containing tips and advice to help you find high quality careers in 2022.

Start Your Job Search on the Right Foot

It’s easy to think that you should rush to send applications when a company puts up new job postings. But mindlessly doing this can cause you to lose more opportunities than you may realize. So whether you’re applying for a company directly or through employment agencies in Charleston, SC, here are vital steps to take to start your search on the right foot.

Clarify Your Career Goals

Whether you’re fresh out of college looking for work experience or a seasoned professional planning a career change, it’s important to know what career path you envision for yourself. Assess your goals and think about what you want to do and what type of company you want to work in. By having a clear direction in mind, you can better focus your efforts on searching for the right jobs and highlighting the right skills.

Update Your Resume

It shouldn’t be surprising to learn that your resume will be a key aspect of your job search. It’s often an employer’s first contact point with job applicants, so think of this as your big chance to make yourself known and leave a good impression. Before you start sending out your resume, update it with your recent accomplishments and experience to attract employers.

 

When writing your resume, remember that content matters more than design. While it certainly needs to be presentable and visually appealing, you don’t need to go overboard with colors and designs. An artistic resume design is only applicable if you plan to enter a creative field that requires such skills. Otherwise, you should keep the design simple to ensure readability and maintain professionalism—doing this can increase your salary potential by 7%.

If you’re struggling with this step, here are some resume writing tips that can increase your chances of landing your desired job career:

  • Tailor your resume to match the position you’re vying for
  • Include only relevant information and subheadings
  • Use a readable and professional font
  • List your achievements and work experience
  • Highlight recognitions and accomplishments
  • Start sentences with action words
  • Make your contact information visible and prominent
  • Proofread and edit your resume as needed

Polish Your Online Profiles

Similar to how you might research a company before applying for their position, employers or staffing agencies in North Charleston, SC usually also do a quick search on applicants to verify their credibility. In fact, you might be surprised to know that out of 90% of employers who research their applicants’ social media profiles, 79% of them have rejected candidates due to what they’ve found in their search.

This staggering statistic just proves how important it is to check all your social media accounts and remove inappropriate content, if any. No matter how qualified you might be, a single negative post can lead to rejection. You never know what may be buried deep down in your profiles—especially the personal ones—so make sure you go over them thoroughly.  

You can also take some time building your personal brand and incorporating this into your online profiles. Beyond your professional bio on LinkedIn, your personal Facebook and Twitter accounts can also give you an edge if you successfully showcase your personality, work ethic, and skills. For instance, a CareerBuilding survey revealed that 34% of hiring managers found a candidate to be highly creative based on their social screening.

Practice Your Pitch

Job interviews will vary for every position and employer, but the one constant will be your elevator pitch. 

If this isn’t your first rodeo looking for a job, you probably know that most interviews start with the line “Tell me more about yourself.” As intense as it may sound, the next 30 to 60 seconds can very well affect the outcome of your application. Thus, it pays to put in some time and effort to practice and perfect your pitch—whether in front of the mirror or with friends and family. 

So, what makes up a good pitch? Ideally, you should be able to explain who you are, what your career goals are, and why you’re interested in the company or position. Similar to how you’d market a brand, you also want to market yourself by highlighting what makes you unique. Ultimately, your goal is to be memorable, so employers remember you even after interviewing several other candidates.

Career Advice to Help You Land Your Dream Job

The to-do list above highlights the key things you should do before kickstarting your job search. However, as mentioned in the beginning, the job market is highly competitive today. So here is some valuable career advice to help boost your chances for success in your search:

  1. Don’t ever stop learning

If you’ve been paying attention to the job market in the past few years, you’ve noticed how skill demand is constantly evolving. As such, it’s more important than ever to upskill yourself. There’s always room to learn something new, and the key to staying relevant in a dynamic world is lifelong learning. 

Nowadays, it’s no longer enough to have a degree as employers are now focusing on skills-based recruitment. Fortunately, there are tons of upskilling platforms you can explore, from Linkedin Learning to Coursera to Udemy and many others. With these, you can learn in-demand skills like data science and AI to stay ahead of your competition. 

  • Be flexible with your path

As mentioned earlier, it’s helpful to know your career path before you set out on your job hunt. However, you never know what may happen once you start your search, so you should also be flexible. You can have a general path in mind, but there’s nothing wrong with taking on new challenges and roles that may lead you in a different direction.

  • Set realistic expectations

While there’s nothing wrong with being ambitious with your career goals, it’s also important to be realistic through the process. Searching for a job isn’t a one-time activity you can finish over the weekend. You’ll have to set aside time applying for jobs—and at the same time, understand that it takes time to hear back from companies. 

  • Widen your search options

You don’t need to limit your search to nearby companies or jobs. Remote work has become more prevalent since the start of the pandemic, so it’s now possible to work an online job remotely even if you’re on the other side of the globe. By expanding your search radius, you can find more job openings!

  • Dedicate time to career networking

Networking is critical for all job hunters since it connects you to more job opportunities and increases your visibility among recruiters. Its benefits also go beyond the job searching process since it allows you to build long-lasting relationships with people who can help you advance in your professional life. So regardless of what stage of your career you might be in, always remember to put in some time to build your network.

Hiring Trends in 2022

Hiring Trends You Should Know About in 2022

If you’ve conducted a job search before, you’ll know that your first contact will often be a hiring manager or recruiter. As such, it helps to familiarize yourself with the hiring landscape to get a pulse of what employers are looking for and how you can stand out among other job applicants. Here are top hiring trends you should know about for the year.

Remote Work is Here to Stay

While offices have already begun reopening, remote work is expected to stay post-pandemic. Now that companies have seen the flexibility afforded by remote work, many are gravitating towards fully remote or hybrid work.

This means more opportunities for job seekers since you won’t need to worry about your work location. In addition, the remote setup is also beneficial for employers since they get a wider talent pool from around the world—ultimately resulting in a win-win situation.

Applicant Tracking Systems are Gaining Momentum

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a software that helps companies streamline their recruitment process. In case you didn’t know, 98.8% of the Fortune 500 companies use an ATS to filter resumes for large volumes of applicants. However, even small and medium-sized businesses are starting to jump on the bandwagon because of how much time and effort the software can save.

Given this trend, it’s essential that you make your resume ATS-friendly. Aside from the tips mentioned earlier, another thing you can do is optimize your resume with keywords from the job description of the position you’re applying for. This will increase your chances of getting your resume in front of a human recruiter.

Employers are Expanding Benefits for Increased Satisfaction

Just as the competition for jobs is high, so is the competition for top talent. Now that you can scour job postings from just about anywhere, employers are offering more perks to attract more candidates. With this, you can expect companies to be more generous with salaries, bonuses, and benefits—but of course, remember to proceed with caution.

Before getting carried away with any benefits package, you should assess the company’s culture to see if you’re a good fit. Even if you work full time, work-life balance will likely still be at the top of your priorities so you don’t get burnt out.

How Bridges Staffing Agency Can Help Job Applicants Find High Quality Careers in 2022

Working with an employment agency can be extremely helpful, whether you’re an employer or an aspiring employee. As an employer, you can get help finding the best candidates to fill vacant positions. And as for applicants, you can find opportunities that may otherwise be difficult to search for on your own.

If this idea interests you, Bridges Staffing Agency is here to help you out. As a staffing agency in Charleston, SC, we help companies find the right candidates to employ and provide qualified job seekers with relevant career opportunities. Bridges Staffing isn’t just another temp agency in Charleston, SC–we aim to help you advance your professional life and build a successful career.

To learn more about the job placement services at Bridges Staffing Agency, you can contact us at (843) 612-8414 today.

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Bridges Staffing Agency Marketing Team

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