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How to make job applications that consistently get you interviews










How to make job applications that consistently get you interviews

  1. Only apply to jobs that are applicable to your experience, location & salary requirements. Don't waste time on applications that just aren't suitable.
  2. Try to make between 2 & 5 quality applications per day. It's all about making quality applications - not quantity. Internet job boards have made it far too easy for people to make lots of applications quickly. Most of the job applications we see at PCR are awful - which is good news for you, because if you follow our advice it's easy to make your own applications stand out from the crowd.
  3. Before you send your cv and application, always try and speak to the contact on the advert first.
    i. If you don't get through, leave your name and number. They'll know you're keen and you might even get a call back
    ii. If you do get through, establishing even a small amount of personal rapport could make it much easier for you to get better feedback as the process unfolds. Ask simple questions
    1. How long has the role been open?
    2. Where are they at in the process?
    3. Outline your relevant experience -is this close to what they're looking for?
    iii. One of the objectives of your search is to identify recruitment agencies and recruiters who specialise in your space, who work closely with your target employers. You want to build a network of trusted contacts.
  4. Make sure your email introduction is top notch. Its purpose is to get you shortlisted for interview. Make it easy for the person dealing with the applications to see that you have the required skills and experience, even before they open your cv.
  5. The vast majority of email job applications we see are very poor. They simply say "Please find enclosed my cv for XY job" - so the hiring manager or recruiter has to open the cv and read through it to pick out the relevant skills or experience, before they can make a decision to shortlist you or not. It's time-consuming for them when they have probably have 40 or more cvs to go through!
  6. It's not hard to make your job applications standout - it just requires a bit more time and consideration. Read the advert carefully to understand the essential skills and experience - then in your application, mirror these with short, concise bullet points which highlight your relevant experience. (see an example email job application)
  7. You don't have to meet every essential requirement of the role being advertised - consider applying to roles where you have 70% plus of what the advert requests.
  8. When you've finished composing your application, read it back to yourself and ask "Would I want to interview me?"
  9. It's essential that you try and follow up your applications with a phone call. You won't always be put through, so leave a message and they'll know you're interested. Be persistent - try and contact the recruiter or employer 3, 4 or 5 times over a 3 or 4 day period (use your filing system to keep track).
  10. When you do get through, ask them:  
    i. Have they received your application?
    ii. Have they had time to read it and make any judgement?
    iii. How many applications have they had already?
    iv. Are they working with the hiring manager on the vacancy or with the HR person? - (The first means they are talking with the decision maker, so their understanding of the role and feedback they obtain could be slightly better)
    v. Is it this vacancy being worked by other recruitment agencies or just with them? - (The fewer agencies, the better!)
    vi. It may be hard to obtain the name of the employer from the recruiter at the cv sifting stages. That's ok - however, never give your permission for a recruiter to send your cv until they have told you who the employer is. Why's this?
    1. Often due to the employer's "Preferred Supplier Lists", many different recruiters could be advertising and working the same vacancy. It's a fair and reasonable requested to ask who the employer is, if they want to send your cv
    2. So holding to this standard, keeps you loyal to the first recruiter who gives you the name of the employer and makes it easier to follow up and manage your applications
    3. Good recruiters will tell you who the employer is once they decide they want to present you to their customer.
    4. Once you know the employer, you can do research while your cv is being considered
    vii. Keep good notes - set reminders to call back on all positions until it's obvious that they're closed or on hold. Don't waste your time chasing dead applications

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