10 Effective Ways to Improve Your Job Application Skills

It's your final year in college, and you're wondering if you'll get a call for an interview before you receive your undergraduate degree. If you have an outstanding academic record, then you don't have to worry about it. The other scenario is not different.

Job application skills, which can also be called employability skills, aren't fixed as your physical attributes. They can be acquired, developed, and improved depending on your learning curve. (Let's not stretch this comparison, as you think about a diminutive student that you frequently meet in your department. He would seem to have a domineering nature, also referred as Napoleon complex.) If you're aware of this aspect of your coursework, then you have your homework cut out. There's no need to be wary about job fairs if you haven't figured it out. Yet.

Recruiters are looking for young job-seekers who are looking for opportunities. There are lots of them in universities, so it's up to the students. You're thinking too hard if you would guess written and verbal communication. You're expected to be good at it prior to your application (for a place in your department of choice). Think about college societies. Ask yourself if the Student Union can have an hour (or two) of your time. Consider dropping by the Careers Planner, as you look for volunteering opportunities.

A Short List of Activities That Can Improve Your Personal Skills

Attending society events (or participating in a sports activity). You'll learn the essence of teamwork, even become a good team player. Employers value it especially if you can work along with anyone. (It's not a question of liking that person or not. If you can set it aside to meet a goal, then you're certain of getting hired.) You can end up as a leader of the group, which will be a huge plus in your resume. Your career options will be doubled, if not tripled in a short notice.

Managing your studies and social life. Your organizational skills will come to the fore, which should be a gauge of how you can achieve a work-life balance. You must know your priorities, if not what tasks that must be done immediately. On the other hand, burnout is not uncommon among students. You can talk about it with your coursemates, and there are many avenues that you can imagine.

Honing your analytical skills. It can be a scholarly exercise, where you critique a classic novel. It can also be deducing a conclusion from observations that you would gather after performing an experiment (in a laboratory). It can be statistical data as well. This could help you in customizing your resume depending on what recruiters are looking for. And no two recruiters have the same set of requirements.

Coping with the pressure. Meeting essay deadlines, studying for successive examinations, and reading (and browsing) the titles in the reading list can be a cause for stress. You'll whine about it, do your utmost best or both. Your attitude will indicate how you deal with work-related pressure, problems arising from your disappointment (or lack of fulfillment) in the office or both. Are you up to the challenge? If you think you have what it takes (to make it in the long run), then you can go to the next item.

Do you listen at all? Do you pay attention to your professors? Do you take heed of your tutor's advice? Do you think about the constructive criticism from your coursemates? If you can honestly answer all the questions in the affirmative, then you'll likely to have a pleasant relationship with your (soon-to-be) colleagues. But the university would teach you to take anything with a grain of salt. Tertiary education should help you learn to use your judgment wisely.

How well do you know your numbers? It can refer to the length of time that it will take you to finish a 2,000-word essay, also a statistical table (after looking at your data for several hours.) It has something to do with your limited budget as well. You can use it to promote yourself, but don't be prone to exaggeration.

Are you good in negotiating? You won't realize how important it is UNTIL you're done with your first job interview. It has something to do with your bargaining with the secretary (of the department) after missing the deadline to your assignment. (It doesn't translate to incompetence.) If you've been a member of any student group, then you should have seen how members negotiate during a meeting. This should give you a few hints.

How are your persuasive skills? This is another personal skill taken for granted. If you're not a student of literature, then there are many scenarios where you can hone it. Think about your landlord (if you're paying the rent). Think about a student event, where you're assigned to bring in the guests. (The more, the merrier.) If you want to use your gap year, then you must persuade your parents. You can pass up the last one if you can find sources for your funds.

Networking skills. You should be aware of it during your first year in college, which should help you chart your career options (during your final year). If you've been the kind of student who live for the moment, then you can seek help from the Careers Planner.

Decision time. This might be the hardest part, as experience often plays a part in it. You have a dilemma. (You live young once or you prepare for your future.) You should find a balance somewhere.

You have come to the best part

The second one should teach you the importance of time management. (Money lost can be replaced. It's not the case with time passing by.) In this regard, you'll think about internship. You might be tempted to find a job during the summer. You long for volunteer work in a foreign country. It's possible IF you know how to pace yourself. Anyone can get burned out, stumbling along the way. Your studies must not be affected in any way.

If you have doubts, then seek the opinion of experts. It's not hard to find one (in the university).