JETGENÇ: Realize and Make a Difference

By each day, more enterprises are looking for talent and more unemployed people are looking for jobs. You should conceive and manage your career well from the very beginning to find the right balance in this supply and demand see-saw. Here are some practical clues which will help you both before and during your career.

1. Know Yourself
How well do you know yourself? To answer this question, take an empty paper and cut it into two equal parts by drawing a line down the middle. Write down your strongest traits on one side. Note your successes and your awards, if any, on the same side. Write down the traits which you believe need to be developed and your weaknesses on the other side. Then, note the steps in your amateur or professional career taken up to now on any part of the paper. And write down your favorite job, the field you want to work in, and your dream career, briefly. At the end of this activity, you will see your profile clearer.

2. Create a Track Record
Work speaks. Therefore, you should create a background through which you can express yourself and you can make your hobbies concrete. The easiest and most effective way to do this is through the internet. Sign up for business and social networks. The world’s leading internet-based business connection networks are today operative in Turkey and they are becoming increasingly important in selecting employees. Establish a web blog enabling you to express yourself and give some time to that blog to keep it updated and full. Reinforce and strengthen your presence in the internet world. In addition, make an effort to take part in the network mechanisms of social life. You can meet new people and hear new opinions by joining the social clubs at your school, by participating in voluntary projects in non-governmental organizations or by participating in the events organized by regional organizations, such as the chambers of industry or trade chambers.

3. Let Your CV Reflect You
One of the most basic and most effective steps in finding a job is to create an accurate curriculum vitae (CV). A CV which is no more than a ‘chronological’ explanation of what you have done does not create the intended effect. First of all, let us make something clear: Your CV must describe you to the other party in a short time. Therefore, highlight your traits, your career and your successes. Use a simple and explanatory tone while describing them. Your CV should include details about your educational background and your hobbies, but try to avoid showing off, photographs and unnecessary details. Remember that the person who will interview you for a job may need to view tens of or even hundreds of CVs for the position and company in question. If possible, you can attach a short and to-the-point letter of intent to your CV.

4. Take Your Job Interview Seriously
If your CV has worked and been considered, you will proceed to the job interview. This is the most critical point of the whole process. Without question you must learn about the company before you go to the interview. Learn in what field the company operates and what products and services it offers. If it is a publicly-held company, have a look at its recent financial data. (You can reach these data from www.imkb.gov.tr). When you are invited for an interview, ask who will be interviewing you and, if possible, learn something about that person. Employers do not take seriously any applicant who is unaware of the sector and their company. If you want to be taken seriously, prepare well before your interview.

5. Express Yourself
Go to the place where you will be interviewed on time and wear suitable clothes, fitting the requirements of the position and the company. Be neither too formal nor too informal. Be polite and smiling during the interview. Of course, you will be nervous but try to control that feeling. Remember to emphasize your strengths. Proceed during the whole interview by answering the questions but in the style of maintaining a dialog. When appropriate, do not forget to take some information from the other party by asking a few questions. When you are asked about your expectations from the job, describe them in a rational manner.

6. Remind Yourself
Following the interview, ask for a business card or for contact information from the person who interviewed you. Then, thank that person by sending an e-mail or letter. In this way you show your interest and remind the company of yourself. Remember that you may not be hired after every job interview. You should keep your business relations alive.