Applying
for a job usually seems simple. You just hit the “apply” button, or send your
CV through your email, job done. The problem is that about 50% of people that
apply for a job forget about the basics!
Here are 6 useful tips on how to
successfully apply for the job:
1) Read
the advertisement. Whatever is requested is what you should provide. If a cover
letter is requested, this normally means the recruiter wants to know a little
more about you than your CV will tell them, so write a few paragraphs to
introduce and sell yourself. Your CV will list the facts about you in a simple
way, but the cover letter is your opportunity to shine your personality
through. Even if you are not exactly qualified but know you could do the job,
this is where you have a chance to prove it.
2) Is
a CV requested? If so, prepare one. If you don't have one ready, go online
and find a template or ask a friend to help you. It is never okay just to
provide a few notes about yourself here. Two or three pages about yourself,
your contact details, your education, qualifications, your employment history,
training and interests, with a couple of referee's contact details are fine. A
ten line list of past job titles attached to a letter is not a CV. It is
unlikely the recruiter will want to read through ten pages either, so keep it
simple but informative and make sure to tweak it for the particular role - expand
on your relevant experience and shorten the parts that are not so relevant.
3) It is
normally good to add a small portrait type photo to your CV. Look
professional, smart and happy. We recently received a full page photo attached
to an emailed application which would have looked well placed in a glamour
magazine. If you want to be taken seriously, think carefully about the
impression your photo will create to the person to whom you are sending it.
4) Research
the company - if you can mention that you have been to the company's
website or have knowledge of the work they do, this will add credence and an
air of enthusiasm to your application. Pick out key words from their
literature - the advert included - and use these appropriately if possible
throughout your application. Show that you have an understanding of the role
you are applying for. Have another look through the website thoroughly before
your interview if you reach that stage.
5) Spell-check!! Whatever
format your letter, email and CV are in, copy and paste them into a word
document first to ensure they are checked for any spelling or grammatical
errors. Even if the job doesn't involve any writing at all, your
application will create an impression of you, your attention to detail and your
intelligence level. Ask a friend to read it through before you send it too, as
our PC's don't always highlight every mistake.
6) Make
sure to enter a header and some text in the email, if this is how you are
sending your CV. Otherwise, it will most likely be deleted as spam, or go
straight to junkmail. Oh, and don't use email addresses like bunnykins@ or
sexysue@ unless you are applying to an escort agency!
Finally, if
you do make it to the interview stage, dress appropriately. Even if the
work environment it casual, it is better to always look smart for an interview
- tidy hair, clean shoes, no jeans or ripped clothing (yes, it does
happen) and smelling nice. It may sound old-fashioned but in this tough
environment you will need to make that extra effort to look smart and
well-groomed if you want to succeed at an interview. First impressions are so
important and even if you had the best application and CV, perform the highest
in the tests and answer all the questions correctly, if the potential
employer thinks you are scruffy, unclean or unkempt, you could have blown your
chance before you even opened your mouth to speak.
Article found on:
When it comes to being the regional
recruitment agency of choice, one of the key traits that Baxter Personnel
possesses is the independence factor that has remained with the company since
its beginning.
