Job hunting can be an incredibly frustrating time, whether you’re just setting out on your career or looking for a new role after several years with the same company.

It’s never easy playing the waiting game as you seek out employment opportunities, but there are steps you can take to keep frustrations down to a minimum. Read on for more tips on how you can improve your chances of securing an interview and making the right impression.

A Guide to Job Hunting: Top Tips

Patience and tenacity are just two characteristica that any job applicant needs to exhibit in abundance. With so many job seekers on the marketplace, the fight to secure employment is more fierce than ever, and for that reason a dose of realism is required as you start searching for jobs. In some cases, there can be as many as 50 applicants per post, so unless your CV really stands out, it’s doubtful whether your application will catch the eye of a potential employer.

As a result of this, it’s important assess your skillset carefully. Avoid applying for roles on a speculative basis as your CV may not match the requirements of the job. It will prove far more fruitful to apply for a smaller pool of jobs, working hard to ensure the presentation of your CV and cover letter is tailored to the particular job on offer.

The cover letter can make all the difference in encouraging an employer to offer you the chance of an interview, and there are certain things you can do to make a favourable impression, especially when it comes to researching the company’s background and studying its primary business interests. In the letter, try and put a persuasive argument across that underlines how your skills blend with the company’s requirements for the position in question. Writing an individual cover letter for each application may take up precious job-hunting time, but this approach could reap major rewards in the long term.

So, whether you’re hunting for evening jobs in Bristol, driving jobs in Dublin or law jobs in London, good research and preparation will be the key to securing that dream job.