Unusual tips to land a new job

Your LinkedIn profile is on point (as my grandfather calls it when something is perfectly in order), checking all job vacancies every day, letting connections know that you are available, and making sure your resume is something to drool over. It's a great foundation when you're looking for a new job, but what about the less obvious tips that can really help you? We've gathered those for you.

1. Make sure you only have one item in your hands during a meeting

A tip from body language expert Denise Dechamps, because the more stuff you have to gather, the more chaotic you come across. So, ask right away upon entering where you can hang your coat and make sure all your belongings fit in one bag. Also, stand up immediately when someone comes to pick you up, so you start on equal footing. If you are sitting, the dynamics are unequal.

2. Focus on a top three

Spreading your chances and casting your line everywhere is, of course, a logical approach, but it's even better to focus on your favorites. Know a company inside and out, know who works in which position, what the strategy is, and whether the Christmas parties are legendary or not. It's smarter to know everything about one company than to know one thing about all companies. This way, you are already breathing a brand or business even before they hire you.

3. Let your friends speak for you

It's one of the best questions to ask in an interview, but unfortunately, you almost never hear it: how would friends and family describe you? Therefore, make sure to answer the question yourself. You can do this in a humorous way in your letter, but you can also use it as an answer in the interview itself. Often someone asks how you are as a person or how you work in a team, then say that you have checked this with friends and family to give the best answer because they know you so well. Having friends to ask is already a good sign and it immediately says something about your preparation.

4. Know yourself

Almost everyone chooses a job based on the content, but it's just as important that the company culture fits you or that you can handle the role. First, think about what you would and wouldn't miss about the jobs behind you, write down what you excel at and what you find difficult, and now match companies and roles to you as a person. There's a good chance you'll make a better choice. If you later find out that something doesn't suit you after all? No worries, it's only good to know as you move on to that next job.

5. Write for each application

Really, nothing is more embarrassing than a potential employer stumbling upon the name of another company somewhere. This is how you write a killer letter.