Complete Guide on Job Applications
This material has been reproduced with the kind permission of careermanagement.co.uk
In the UK, the percentage of jobs advertised on the Internet is rapidly expanding. A good jobsearch strategy should therefore include a well-defined online action plan where registering and posting or building an electronic CV is a critical part. You can also use the Internet to access information anywhere in the world at any time of the day or night. Recruiter's websites, company websites, online journals/newspapers and dedicated employment sites are all examples of where you can find a potential job through the Internet.
Online employment sites, as well as some company sites, often include a CV builder. This is a step-by-step programme which takes candidates through the process of filling in an online CV. The process can be time consuming. However, once your details are on an employment site, there's a large potential pool of employers and recruiters with access to your CV. Using a CV builder also means that the format of your CV matches the requirements of the database on which it sits - so the search engine which matches vacancies with CV in the database is more likely to match your CV with something suitable, in a shorter time. You will find more detail about online CVs in the section on CV Preparation.
Many sites have an e-mail facility that will let you know about appropriate matching jobs. This is a useful feature, but not a substitute for your continuing to visit the site and search through the jobs available at least twice a week.
Click on the following hyperlink to get started on your online applications. www.monster.co.uk
The letter of application introduces you and your CV to a recruitment consultant or potential employer. Such a letter should contain three distinct parts:
- Introduction and statement of source
- Statement of relevance to role advertised
- Conclusion
Introduction and Statement of Source
The first section should clearly state the source of the advertisement, ie the newspaper name, Internet or other source, the date that it was advertised, the job number and reference number, if provided.
Examples of the first paragraph in a letter of application are: "I am writing to express my interest in applying for the role of Sales Manager, advertised in The Times on 13 May, 2005, Reference number MX/67845."
Or
"Following our recent conversation, I am writing to express my interest in the position of Architect that was advertised on your Internet site on 13 February, 2005." The purpose of this first paragraph is to clearly put you in the running for the job you have applied for. Busy recruiters recruit a number of positions with similar titles at the same time, and advertise these on similar dates. The first paragraph should give you a fighting chance for the job by at least getting your application into the right pile
Before responding to advertisements, you should - if it is appropriate - contact the owners of the job or the recruiters who are managing the recruitment assignment. Written advertisements give you a clear indication of whether you should be making personal contact or whether the job owners or recruitment firm would prefer an email or hard copy of the application first off.
Suppose, for example, the ad says: "Email your address here, or for further details contact so and so". Take the opportunity to discuss the job with the recruiter. As you prepare for this conversation make sure you clearly understand the ad, and make bullet points about why you are appropriate for that job.
You should also phrase a number of other questions which would be appropriate to ask at the time, for example: "Can you tell me more about the role. What sort of salary would this position attract? Why has the job become vacant? etc, etc." The aim at this stage is to have a meaningful conversation with the recruiter or the owner of the job and to decide jointly whether it is worthwhile forwarding an application for the job.
When you're on the job hunt the last thing you want is a series of rejection letters. You need to stay in control of the process. You can do this by talking to recruiters, deciding jointly whether you would be an appropriate candidate, and designing an appropriate letter which reminds the consultant that you have had a conversation with them and why you are appropriate for that role (if that's the case).
This approach allows you, at a later date, to follow up with the same recruiter and get some honest feedback about why you have been successful or unsuccessful for the role. It also allows you to make yourself known to a recruiter. Even if you're not appropriate for that first role, and don't put in an application, you will have made contact with a recruiter who knows about you and will look more favourably towards having a conversation with you in the future.
The best time to get a recruiter on the phone is generally at the beginning or the end of a working day. Monday morning, during peak ad response time, is not appropriate. However between 8.00am and 9.00am or 5.00pm and 6.00pm recruiters are usually at their desks, preparing for the day or tidying up after it. At these times they are therefore likely to have more time and a clearer head to talk to you.
A cover letter lets you express your enthusiasm for the position, while highlighting your skills and qualifications before recruiters view your CV. While a CV focuses on facts and achievements, a cover letter gives you the opportunity to express yourself further and clarify anything your CV leaves out. A cover letter should also point out what you can offer in addition to the basic requirements of the position.
For an example of a generic cover letter template click here.
For professional CV writing help visit http://www.monster.co.uk/cvchecker/ or visit Monster's 'Ask the Interviewer' Forum
