On the job with Rania: Building your best possible image

Every time you apply for a job you get an opportunity to build your image and campaign for yourself as the best candidate.

All you need to do, if you believe you're the best fit, is to sell yourself as such. It is your mission that has to begin early in the hiring process. Then in every step of the way, you need to consistently deliver the same positive and clear message about yourself and your skills.

That message and your desired image need to be supported by your ability to tweak the presentation of your background to fit the job you're applying for, and to make sure that the hiring manager is aware of your relevant experience.

Enlist your best presentation skills to explain how certain tasks or projects you previously accomplished can help you with your next step in a jargon-free and entertaining manner.

Here are a few tips on how to present yourself:

The starting point

Before you rush to send an application, read the job requirements, qualifications and work scope. The point is to assess how well you match the job. The results of this assessment can help you present a convincing argument on why you think you're a best fit.

Meanwhile, your shortcomings can be presented in a positive way as areas for growth and development. Be prepared to answer questions even regarding the most minor detail and don't leave anything to luck. Finally, keep a copy of the advertisement and go through it again before a personal interview.

Introduce your image

You don't need to review your resume for every single job you apply for. Always keep your resume clean and free of errors.

However, you always need to personalise the cover letter. Highlight the most relevant, rather than the most recent, work experience and explain how it can be an asset for the future job. You will need to be concise and to the point. You want to leave whoever assesses your resume with one line to remember about you.

Build it up

You will need to stick with your image and build on your points of strength. While being versatile is appreciated, you don't want to confuse your interviewer or give the impression that you know too little about too many things. Don't disregard your secondary skills and present them in support of the main goal.

At any opportunity during an interview — such as a question to say more about yourself — make a statement on your skills and why you think you meet the job requirements. However, be flexible and have your ears and eyes open for any signs that you're putting too much weight in the wrong place.

Clarify the message

Once you're sure your message has been received. Make sure your potential employer is not getting conflicting messages. Talk to your references before your future employer contacts them.

Explain the role you're applying for and update them on how your career has progressed and developed since you worked together.

While you may not direct your references to what to say about your skills, your conversation will make your priorities clear and help them focus on your relevant experience to the job.

Play up your skills

Employers usually don't pay attention to CV claims on social skills since they can be judged during the hiring process. So if you're claiming excellent people and communication skills prove it by follow-up correspondence, engaging conversations and strong presence during the interviews.

It is also significantly important that you bring your previous experience to life particularly if your relevant experience isn't the most recent. Explain how you remain up to date with the latest in your field via networking, industry circles and forums.

Change happens

Don't be carried away by your goals and lose track of a changing situation. The hiring process can change quickly even between the time you apply for a job and you show up for the job interview. So be prepared to respond to an unexpected change in the previously-defined role.

The point is to avoid being so scripted that any change in the situation throws you in deep silence. Additionally, if you're just seeking an entry position in a particular company or organisation, make your goal clear and show some flexibility in terms of the job type you're willing to accept.

The brand making

Rania Oteify, a former Business Features Editor at Gulf News, is a freelance journalist based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

business@gulfnews.com