Top tips for getting your job application noticed
With the ongoing government policy of austerity in the UK and uncertain and challenging economic conditions in many sectors, job hunting has become increasingly difficult across the board. Employers typically face a bombardment of applications and unfortunately the great majority of them never get read. Here we have listed a few tips which can help prospective job seekers with that necessary edge.
Take a targeted approach
As nobody is qualified to do every job under the sun, it’s important that you focus on applying for positions which you are best suited to. A targeted approach to job hunting involves picking a small handful of positions to work with every week and taking the time to tailor both your CV and cover letter to each one. Use research where appropriate and personalise the letter.
Write in Plain English
Employers generally want a candidate selection process to be as hassle-free as possible and your choice of language can help with this. Writing an application in the simplest form can be a welcome breath of fresh air from reading clichéd phrases such as, say, being ‘innovative’ or having a ‘flair for creativity’. Giving concrete examples of achievements instead of potentially meaningless statements such as these is good practice.
Tell a clear and characterful story
It’s easy to forget all the minutiae that comes with every job application, but employers will remember a story. You should present your work experience as a natural, progressive journey to the position which you are applying for. A little bit of creativity can also be used to emphasise passion for your work.
Be brief
Time taken to read job applications is incredibly short and an employer is likely to spend no longer than a few seconds skimming over it. This means that the writing style you use must be clear and concise. Every detail within your CV and cover letter should accurately focus on what your potential employer is looking for. Work experience should be bullet-pointed using succinct sentences.
Network
Whilst all of the above tips can be very helpful, networking is often still the most effective way of gaining employment. Nothing beats a trusted recommendation from a close friend or former colleague of the employer. It is always worth asking around to see what is available, as well as who might be worth approaching speculatively.
