A job application needs to have a few elements to be compelling. Every job vacancy could have hundreds of candidates applying, so, you need to stand out.
This is a guide on how to give your application the best chance of being chosen.
A CV should be sent with a cover letter that is unique to each job you apply for. Here are some tips on writing the perfect cover letter.
How to Write Your Cover Letter:
- Your cover letter needs to be properly spelled and grammatically correct.
- Ensure your interest and enthusiasm for the position is expressed throughout.
- It should include proof of the research you’ve done on the company you want to work for, to prove you care enough to have looked them up.
- Your cover letter needs to be a brief outline of how you would be an asset to the company.
- Include how your skills align with the skills listed in the job advert, and if you lack one of the skills they listed, point out a similar skill you have that would be beneficial to the company.
- Don’t be afraid to promote yourself. A cover letter is essentially a short advert that’s selling your capabilities. Don’t oversell yourself, but don’t undersell yourself either.
- Be creative. Add something that makes you stand out from the crowd.
- Ensure you’ve properly read the entire job listing. Sometimes companies will include Easter eggs that you need to add to your application to prove you’ve read the entire job advert and paid attention.
- Don’t forget to thank the reader for their time and express your hope to hear back soon.
Writing your CV:
A one-pager CV should follow the cover letter and act as a highlights reel for you. This is a concise summary of why you fit the requirements.
This should include:
- Your basic information, like your name, surname, etc
- Your contact information
- The qualification relevant to the position you’re applying for
- Your previous employers that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Only the name of the company and your job designation need to be included.
Your CV needs to be a brochure of what the company will get if they hire you. Here are some tips on what your CV should look like.
- A CV should have a thumbnail-sized photo of you. You need to look professional.
- Ensure your contact details are visible. Include your cell phone number and your email address.
- Include a link to your LinkedIn profile so that they can delve deeper into the kind of person you are. Ensure that your social media is a good representation of you for a potential employer to see.
- Add a short bio about yourself. Just a few short sentences that express your level of overall experience, your most relevant traits, and your qualifications.
- Your job experience should be listed. The company you worked for, how long you worked there and include the reason for leaving a job like, better job opportunities, etc.
- Outline the qualifications you hold. Include all qualifications and certificates you’ve achieved, the dates you achieved them, and from what institution you received them. These should be specific to the job you’re applying for.
- Include a brief mention of your school career, unless you have just matriculated, then include it all. Eventually, how you did in high school becomes irrelevant.
- Outline your personal skills and attributes that express what kind of employee and person you are. Include your proficiencies in software or relevant applications for the industry.
- Ensure your CV is neatly laid out and it is all spelled correctly.
How To Make Your CV Really Stand Out:
We offer some additional items you could add to your application to ensure you are the obvious candidate for the job.
- A Career Assessment Profile – this is a career guidance assessment you should have done to see what type of job you are most suitable for. This will help you be certain you’re applying for the right jobs for you.
- Passport to Employment – this offers a free, nicely laid-out CV and cover letter. You simply fill in all the information necessary and out comes a beautiful and comprehensive CV and cover letter.
- Pre-verified CV – you can verify your own information before you send out your CV. This helps save the employer the time and money involved in screening you. A pre-verified CV includes an ID verification, a criminal record check, and a qualification verification, all from a valid and reputable screening company.
Give yourself the very best chance of getting the job, with iFacts Employee Screening and Vetting Services Provider.