10 simple lessons when applying for a job
by Andrew Smith on 15/06/09 at 10:54 pm
7 comments
I am involved in recruiting the next Yuppiechef employee, and once again I am struck by the lack of basic skills that would really help job-searchers everywhere. I understand that applying for a job can be a long process with no feedback from literally hundreds of companies. It’s important to also understand that the average position can easily receive a hundred responses, and for yours to be noticed it has to get a few basic things right:
1) Research the company that you’re applying for
This is usually as simple as spending 30 seconds on Google and 5 minutes on the company website. It makes a huge difference if your application mentions what the company does and why it’s a good fit for you.
2) Understand the position
90 out of a 100 applications are going to say, “I would like to apply for the position your company advertised. I feel I’m perfect for it. Here is my CV.” Your cover letter needs to at least say, “I would like to apply for the Customer Services position at Yuppiechef. My experience proves that I have the ability to understand the needs of customers, deal with many e-mails and phonecalls at one time, and cope with the high-pressure environment of an e-commerce store.”
3) Make the cover letter professional
Apart from the cover letter being relevant (see points 1 and 2), it must be professional. Most applications are via e-mail these days*, and I’ve seen a couple of shockers:
– An application for a previous job, including the old cover letter, dug out of the Sent folder and forwarded on
– Numerous e-mails from “mom”, saying “Johnnie is too busy so I’m sending his CV to you”
– References to a different position at a different company, and how that’s the dream job they’ve always wanted
– From address like badassmomma@hotlipsfreemail.com, complete with flashing pink stationery and a hundred animated smiley icons
*(On a side note – if the advert asks for applications via e-mail, don’t be a wise-guy and drop off a printed copy. It is likely that the employer is sorting through the other 99 applications digitally, and yours is not going to have anywhere to go)
4) Answer the key questions in cover letter
“Yes, I have my own transport, I can start immediately, and I’m delighted about the opportunity to travel for long periods.” It proves you’ve read the advert, and it shows the employer you’re not here to waste time.
5) Keep your CV filesize small
Does your CV really need to be 12mb in size? It will clog up the employer’s mail box, or even worse, never arrive. Drop the 12 scanned certificates and prize you won in Grade 8. If the employer needs the proof they’ll ask for it.
6) Keep your CV short
More than 4 pages is just not going to get read, and the good bits will get lost.
7) Make the first page of your CV an “Executive Summary”
Opening pages are usually filled entirely with fluff like name, ID number, physical address and driver’s license. That need only take up a few lines, and the rest of the first page can contain the highlights of your qualifications, and a line for each job and position you’ve worked in.
8) Make your CV look professional
Ask a friend who knows their way around Microsoft Word or equivalent. There are plenty of elegant and simple CV templates that you can use.
9) Check and double-check your grammar
It’s not good enough to trust the spell checker – terrible grammatical mistakes still get through, and instantly tarnish your first impression. Get someone else to check what you’ve written, preferably before you send each cover letter out.
10) Check your social media presence
This one is a bit left-field, but be aware of what’s on your Facebook profile, Twitter stream or Myspace page. It’s the first place we look when recruiting, and it’s frightening to see people slagging off about their current employer and posting drunken office party pictures.
All of this may sound like a lot of work, but I would advise that you apply properly to 10 companies, rather than firing off bad applications to a hundred companies.
And finally, if there are any high school English teachers reading this – how about you cover one less Shakesperian sonnet this year, and teach school leavers how to apply for a job? I certainly wish I’d learnt these lessons before being dumped into the real world.
Andrew Smith is the pedantic systems guy behind Live Alchemy, a SA e-commerce company. Andrew writes for Ideate in an attempt to make the world a more efficient place. View more articles by Andrew Smith.
Anne Gordon
Jun 16th, 2009
Thanks for this Andrew, it is extremely helpful. I only wish (as a high school principal) that we had had some decent guidance on this before, from someone who actually knows what’s going on out there. Most teachers have no idea how to apply for a job in the real world, – teaching is still very much a ‘protected’ profession with a very specific pool to draw from. I will pass this on to our students, and hope others involved with schools will also see what you have written. THANKS!!
Andrew Smith
Jun 17th, 2009
It is a shame that traditional education has strayed so far from really educating people for the real world. Hopefully some “outsiders” can come in from time to time to speak to students and teachers. If I was closer to your school I’d happily offer!
Liza
Jun 17th, 2009
Rather throw this to the Dept of Education.
Teachers are swamped dealing with discipline issues, admin heavy assessment systems, meetings, fundraising.
Tech-wise people with the “real world” skills actually work in the “real world” because they know that there are easier ways to make R8k-R9k a month.
The focus of education in SA is determined and driven by the DOE. They should steer the big picture into the classroom. provide the materials, information and support in this regard. Maybe something like an employability roadshow or teaching-resource pack developed by “outsiders”.
The DOE could also get more synergy going with The Umsobomvu Youth Fund.
Louise
Jun 18th, 2009
What a great post! Out of your list of ten, the following are the most important for me:
3) Make the cover letter professional
9) Check and double-check your grammar
4) Answer the key questions in cover letter
If I receive a CV with a cover letter that contains spelling or grammar mistakes, I don’t even bother to read the rest of the CV. People don’t understand what a bad impression it gives.
I agree 100% with the smiley icons and hotmail addresses – they are just a big No-No!
Paul G
Jun 25th, 2009
Great post, Andrew. Very valuable to everyone out there looking for work.
Tom
Jul 17th, 2009
I have a question concerning the cover letter that bothers me. Because I’ve seen both variants on Googles search results, I can’t find out which of the two following phrases is the correct one. Is it:
“to apply for a job /at/ a company” or
“to apply for a job /with” a company”?
Tilana
Jul 20th, 2009
Thanks a mil’ for this! I’ve started a training company dealing with soft skills in particular. We’ve approached our municipality to get all the unemployed youth out there and teach them basics similar to what you have outlined.