Job Application; the BASICS
As a HR practitioner and recruiter, I receive a lot of requests from people asking for job opportunities or guidance on how to successfully apply for a job and get an interview invitation and ultimately, the job of choice.
In my line of work, I get to review a lot of CVs during the shortlisting process and to tell you the truth, some of the mistakes that job applicants make are very basic. Unfortunately, such mistakes cost them the opportunity they seek. This article may assist you in rectifying such mistakes so you can do better in your subsequent applications.
When you receive a job advertisement, take time to read it and establish whether you meet the minimum requirements. Most times, you will find that you do not meet 100% of the requirements, but if you do atleast 60-70% give it a shot. For technical roles, it is important that you only apply if you meet the technical skills and training required. For instance, if the job is for a Maintenance Manager who must hold a degree in electrical engineering with the relevant skills on the same, if you have been working as a Sales person all your life, no matter how desperate you are for a job, this is not one that you should apply for. I have gone through certain applications for technical roles and end up wondering whether the applicant even understood which role they were applying for. Kindly note that just because it has been advertised and you have been out of work for awhile doesn’t mean that you must apply for every vacancy that you come across. If you do that, what is going to happen is that you will send out several applications and never receive a response. Then you will start to get frustrated and wonder why employers aren’t recognizing the value you are bringing to the table. The problem is that you are standing at the wrong table.
The other thing to look at is the presentation of your CV and application. Again, read the job advertisement and align your CV to the requirements of the job, based on your previous experience and the skills you possess. I know people who have been using the same CV they developed in 2014 to apply for work in 2024. My dear, that piece of paper has been overtaken by events…. and time. As you submit the application, make sure you are not just dropping your CV into someone’s email inbox. Introduce your CV and if you don’t attach a Cover Letter, make sure the email body makes your Cover letter. Ensure the reference subject is clear on which job you are applying for. Blank reference subjects always get ignored most of the time, why? Recruiters do not have the time to choose for you which job they think you fit. I must caution you on something here: there are times when the CV a recruiter receives and the person they eventually meet at the interview table are not the same. This arises when you don’t take time to go through the CV that was done to you by a professional CV writer to see whether what they’ve written there are actually things you’ve done or are familiar with.
Check your email frequently if you are a job seeker and has been sending out job applications. Your interview invitation will most likely come via email (the same email you used to send out the application) and not a phone call as traditionally assumed. I have had scenarios where I’ve sent interview invitations to people and they have responded 2-3weeks later. Their excuse? ‘I had not checked my email because I was out of town…’ You see, looking for a job especially in this country right now is a full time job by itself. You have to show commitment and consistency. It is a marathon so stay the course.
And when you finally land the interview, do your due diligence about the organization that you are seeking to join. I have interviewed people who are clueless about the organizations they have sent applications to. A job is a relationship like any other and it is your duty to know the person you are looking to ‘get into bed’ with (figuratively speaking!). I once interviewed someone for a role and they had no idea what the organization did and the more I spoke to them, the more I realized they would never fit in because their values did not align at all. This brings me back to my first point; not all jobs that are advertised or you have been referred to are yours to apply for. Generally, do not show up at an interview unprepared. Knowing about the organization is one thing, having an understanding of your skill set and what you are bringing on the table is another story altogether. Bottom line is, there are several people applying for the same job, make sure you stand out when the time finally comes. I’ll write about interview etiquette sometime….
The job search process is draining and most people give up after a few applications with no response. The other alternative is to make use of your contacts. Even as you look out for advertisements and apply for those continuously, reach out to contacts who can assist you. Sometimes people have openings but they desire referrals as opposed to the traditional advertising.