Three tips to secure that interview

Whether you're looking to take your career to the next level or you're searching for a vacancy in a completely different industry, you're likely to find yourself firing off CVs and cover letters to a plethora of companies with positions to fill. However, if you take the time to research specific firms, it tends to deliver a fantastic return on investment. Vice-versa if you half-heartedly apply to a company with no real knowledge of what they do, you're ensuring you get a half-hearted response.

Here's a handful of tips that may be able to help you land that coveted one-on-one with a firm's recruitment manager.

Research
One of the best ways to land an interview is to sit back and consider your skill set and the economic conditions surrounding your target industries. For instance, Candance Barr of Strategic Executive Connections believes that discovering which companies are growing the fastest - therefore more likely to recruit - should be a priority at the start of a job search. As a result if your skill set matches their demands, you're much more likely to be called in for an interview.
Have a look for both large and small companies that seem to be expanding in your area. Clearly a large firm with 100,000 employees looking to grow by 25% gives you a fantastic opportunity to land an interview but smaller firms expanding their department can also provide a suitable opportunity.

CV and cover letter
It's jobseeking 101 but you'd be incredibly surprised at the number of CVs and cover letters that are riddled with grammar and spelling mistakes or old information that hasn't been updated. A spelling mistake tends to be an efficient way to get your CV thrown in the bin or, if they do take a chance, a recruiter will be wary as if you can't take the time to proofread your CV - which is essentially your calling card - then the chances are you're going to be negligent at work as well. You're starting on the back foot.
In addition, if your CV is generic and doesn't address the employer's immediate needs, it's not even going to be considered. Ensure you tailor your CV to the job specification and highlight your skill sets. This way, you're actively helping your target company plug a hole in their roster.

Contacts
If you've networked in the past, now is the time to dig out those business cards and start calling. If not, have a look at your LinkedIn profile and see which connections you have. Maybe one of them will be able to give a recommendation in their company or pass you to another contact who may be able to help.
Don't have a LinkedIn profile? Get one. As well as being a digital CV, LinkedIn is a superb way to stay in touch with old colleagues and get the best from your workplace connections. In this case, it's a useful tool for getting a line to the recruitment manager or other decision-maker.

About the authors

Written by Ash Curtis on behalf of Randstad MENA.