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Understanding each stage of a Job Application
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Posted in Candidates on Oct 14, 2010 by Richard Hayden
I think it’s fair to say that most people have a vague idea of the job application process, but do you know what employers use each stage for?
Understanding the objective of each stage in a job application allows you to tailor the information you give, making you relevant and more likely to succeed.
A covering letter is your first contact with a company, it introduces you as an individual. It should be formal but allow your personality to come through and it should definitely be no more than a couple of paragraphs.
Look at the Job description pick out a few of the most important points and address your relevancy, sell yourself.
For more detailed information see our How to write a good covering letter blog
Your CV should be factual and informative, you are trying to get an interview - your foot in the door. You are not going to get the job just based on your CV alone.
Your CV should be no more than 2 pages and comprise of the following (remember keep it short, sweet and easy to read);
Your Information
Name, Address or Location, Contact Number / Email.
If you have a driving licence and/or your own transport state it.
Profile
Not essential, but if you choose to write one keep it short and relevant. This should not repeat your Covering Letter. For example state the qualities you have i.e. good time keeping, attention to detail, enjoy working in a team and then give an example of this. Remember you are potentially one of 100 applicants all of whom will say they have good time keeping but this means nothing if you don’t back it up.
Employment History
Dates of employment i.e. March 2007 – October 2010
Company i.e. Key Appointments (UK) Ltd
Job Title i.e. Recruitment Consultant
Then list in bullet points the duties you carried out under each company. Don’t list absolutely everything just the most important points and if relevant a positive example. i.e.
Education
Professional Qualifications
Skills
Additional Information
For a guide on writing a CV please see our free CV Template
An interview is used to do 2 main things;
There is an infinite variation of potential questions you may be asked at interview but if you understand the overall objective you are more likely to give relevant answers.
Related articles
How to write a good covering letter
Top 10 tips for writing the perfect CV
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Understanding the objective of each stage in a job application allows you to tailor the information you give, making you relevant and more likely to succeed.
Covering Letter
A covering letter is your first contact with a company, it introduces you as an individual. It should be formal but allow your personality to come through and it should definitely be no more than a couple of paragraphs.
Look at the Job description pick out a few of the most important points and address your relevancy, sell yourself.
For more detailed information see our How to write a good covering letter blog
CV
Your CV should be factual and informative, you are trying to get an interview - your foot in the door. You are not going to get the job just based on your CV alone.
Your CV should be no more than 2 pages and comprise of the following (remember keep it short, sweet and easy to read);
Your Information
Name, Address or Location, Contact Number / Email.
If you have a driving licence and/or your own transport state it.
Profile
Not essential, but if you choose to write one keep it short and relevant. This should not repeat your Covering Letter. For example state the qualities you have i.e. good time keeping, attention to detail, enjoy working in a team and then give an example of this. Remember you are potentially one of 100 applicants all of whom will say they have good time keeping but this means nothing if you don’t back it up.
Employment History
- List all of your Employers in reverse chronology (most recent first) i.e.
Dates of employment i.e. March 2007 – October 2010
Company i.e. Key Appointments (UK) Ltd
Job Title i.e. Recruitment Consultant
Then list in bullet points the duties you carried out under each company. Don’t list absolutely everything just the most important points and if relevant a positive example. i.e.
- New business development through cold calling – achieved and exceeded quarterly targets.
- Experience of tender process and presenting to clients – part of a team which gained 3 major new accounts in 2009.
Education
- List relevant qualifications – don’t list every subject and each grade. i.e. if you have 11 GCSE’s just state that you i.e. have 11 GCSE’s from grades A* - C.
- If you have specialist training relating to the job state it here i.e. Six Sigma Sales Training
Professional Qualifications
- If you have specialist training or memberships relating to the job state it here i.e. Six Sigma Sales Training, CSCS Card Holder.
Skills
- List relevant skills that are applicable to the job i.e. specialist software packages, languages.
Additional Information
- Any other experiences which are particularly relevant and demonstrate your ability to do the job.
For a guide on writing a CV please see our free CV Template
Interview Stage
An interview is used to do 2 main things;
- Firstly to assess your ability for the role – you will be asked to expand on your CV i.e. Giving examples of teamwork, facts and figures of your sales history, how you would deal with a given scenario etc.
- Secondly to assess how you would fit in with the company – do you share the company’s work ethos and attitude towards their products? Would you work well with existing members of the team?
There is an infinite variation of potential questions you may be asked at interview but if you understand the overall objective you are more likely to give relevant answers.
Related articles
How to write a good covering letter
Top 10 tips for writing the perfect CV
At Key Appointments we want to supply you with relevant and useful information, if there are topics you would like more information on then please email us at info@key-appointments.co.uk
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