Tips & Tricks to get your application shortlisted!

How many times have you applied for a job which you felt you were perfect
for, yet weren’t contacted after handing in an application? I can assure you
that it’s more common than you think! Perhaps you dealt with this dismissal by telling yourself you had tough competition, but in reality this isn’t always the case. There are a number of reasons an application may be rejected.

It could be the case that one failed to highlight important abilities that would make them a great candidate, or it could be a result of a misunderstanding of the job requirements. It could also be that the individual is simply not as adequate for the job as they thought.

Below are a few tips on how to avoid some of the above issues.

Matching your skills to the job requirements

When you come across a job advert that peaks your interest, make sure to
read each of the requirements carefully.

If you feel that you are fit for the position, the next step would be to make a
connection between the employer’s requirements and your own skills. You
can do so by creating a list of skills and competencies you possess, that
may be assets for that particular position. In doing so, it’s important to focus
on keywords describing skills, qualities or attributes, which the employer
listed as prerequisites or preferences.

Furthermore, make sure to pay attention to the duties associated with the
position, and make a list of skills which you possess that allow you to
satisfactorily handle these duties. For instance, if one of the duties is to
prepare monthly management accounts, attention to detail is an important
attribute, and thus, should be listed if it’s possessed.

Acquiring more information about the job requirements

You may come across a job advert that is very concise and doesn’t
adequately showcase the employer’s expectations. If so, make sure to
carry out some research by looking at the company’s website and social
media platforms, prior to applying.

In some cases, employers may even provide a contact to discuss any
queries with before applying for the job. If this is offered, I highly suggest
taking this opportunity.

Acquainting oneself with the company offering the job

When calling the company to inquire about further specifics, take the
opportunity to give the employer an idea of who you are. Planning what
you’re going to say and how before making the call is advisable. Be aware
of your tone of voice throughout the conversation, as well as your speech
pace. Make sure to speak clearly, and do not allow interruptions to occur
during the conversation.

If you happen to know of any friends, family, acquaintances and/or ex
colleagues that work or have worked with the company you are considering
working for, ask about the work environment and structure of the company. Perhaps you could even get a referral.

Working on the application

Once you have gathered all the information on the prospective position, the
next step is to draft your job application. You may do so by detailing the
skills and abilities you made use of in previous workplaces, which are in
line with the employer’s target job skills and requirements.

Make sure to also include a made-to-measure cover letter for that particular
position. The cover letter should largely consist of a direct response to the
employer’s requirements for the job. This is where you would address the
list of skills (matched to the job requirements), that was previously created,
and explain the application of such skills.

Make sure your cover letter is as uncluttered as possible, and use the
same font and size for both your CV and cover letter.

In cases where not all the criteria required are met, sending an application
may still be worth it if you’re certain you could carry out the job
successfully. However, make sure to address these criteria. For instance, if
you don’t have any experience using one of the software that is mentioned
in your target job advert, you could point it out by saying that you are very
keen on learning and are open to exploring new courses.

Make sure to check our website for any vacancies, and we wish you the best of luck on your job hunt!