There is nothing worse than applying for a job that you know you are perfect for, only to receive a generic rejection email.
“Thank you for your interest but on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful ….”
“We regret to inform you that ….”
“After carefully reviewing your application ….”
“We would like to thank you for the time you have invested in your application but ….”
These are our top 10 tips for all you job hunters out there who are looking to getting that dream job:
Always tailor your CV, make sure it is up-to-date and contains the most relevant information about you for the job you are applying for. It’s so easy to have a bog-standard CV that you use for all jobs. A good employer can spot when you haven’t taken the time to show them why you are right for the role. For example, it is unnecessary to include your sporting achievements at high school if you’re applying for a job in politics.
Find out who you’re sending your CV and Cover Letter to; what is their name, what is their position and role in the company. Not only does it allow you to find out background information about the position you’re applying for, but it also makes your cover letter more personal. You can use this background knowledge to say how you are right for the position and what you can bring.
What is your unique selling point? Remember an employer is looking for a candidate who can bring something to the position, what can you bring? If you cannot think of anything, why should you expect an employer to hire you? A good USP is language, if you can speak, read, and write more than just English, you may have an advantage over other candidates, and stand a higher chance of getting that job. Remember to show off your skills and knowledge.
If you do get an interview, make sure you do your research. It is all very well knowing all about the position you are applying for, but you need to know the company and business behind it. A very common question in interviews is; “what do you think you can bring to the company?” Even if you do not think you can bring anything to the company, employers are always looking for dedicated people who won’t leave and get a better position after 3 months. Loyalty is your best asset.
“Unfortunately, due to the high number of applications, we’re unable to provide individual feedback at this stage.”
“I would very much like to thank you for taking the time to make a submission for this role and wish you all the very best for the future.”
It’s so important to follow up on all job applications. It is standard practice in most correspondence for employers to say they are unable to offer feedback, but that does not mean you cannot ask. In most cases being persistent; calling and emailing every day pays off. It’s always better to call and talk to a person rather than send an email, as people can simply avoid emails, whereas it’s much more difficult to dodge someone when you have them on the phone. Remember to be polite but direct, do not take no for an answer, you want to know why you didn’t get that job.
Applying for jobs is a very demanding process especially when you put so much time, effort, and energy into an application only for it to get rejected. It can be a very disheartening experience, but keep applying, this is when you need to dust yourself off and have confidence in yourself. We’ve all been there at one stage or another, and what you will find is that persistence is one of the main attributes of all successful job hunters.
Temping can be very unglamorous work, but it pays a decent wage, gives you a reference, and it strengthens your CV. There is nothing worse than job hunting when you have bills and expenses to pay. Sometimes it’s better to bite the bullet and take a temporary job, which may be very boring but at least you can pay the rent at the end of the month, and it gives you time to apply for the jobs you want.
Don’t expect to fall into a job just like that, it takes time and hard work, but you can help the process along by registering with job agencies and posting your CV on job sites. Employers, head-hunters and recruitment agencies always check these sites to find the best and most skilled people who are right for them. So make sure your CV is impeccably written, and it’s always a good idea to include a short personal statement in place of a cover letter.
Networking can take place at dedicated events, conferences, exhibitions, or after a meeting. It is a great place to meet potential employers and make valuable contacts who might be able to help in the future. Always take a business card so you can name drop when applying for jobs, there is nothing better than saying “Mr Joe Bloggs” suggested I apply, it shows you have connections.
Create an online presence for yourself! The only thing better than a CV is LinkedIn. Employers search LinkedIn to find out more about the candidates who have applied, you stand a better chance of getting a job if you are on LinkedIn. It is not an exact science, but it is a common place to find companies and employers, and the one thing that many successful job hunters have in common is that they are on LinkedIn.
If you have any other hints or tips that you want to share then don’t forget to tweet us @voiceofunity or leave a comment below.
Written by Hameed Mozaffari
