Applying for jobs can be daunting for a lot of people; even more so if you need a new job and are worried that you are not qualified. In this piece, we share some ideas to help you convince the employer that you could be the right person for the job.
How do job adverts work anyway?
Most job advertisements comprise three parts: a bit about the company, a job description telling you what you will be doing if your application is successful, and a person specification outlining the skills, knowledge and experience that they are looking for. Of course, you must remember our simple rule, but for the purpose of your application, you should also focus on the person specification.
Meeting their requirements
This is important: the employer will judge your application against the person specification, so don’t ignore their requirements! If you have the skills, experience and knowledge that they ask for, it is vital that you show them in your application. However, we know that this isn’t always possible so how can you overcome this?
Making your application – three top tips
There are lots of little checks that you should make when writing your job applications – definitely don’t leave it until the last minute! This article from The Guardian is old but has some good suggestions if you are applying for your dream job; in the meantime, here are our three top tips:
- Skills are transferable, so make the most of this! Just because you haven’t gained the exact skills that they are asking for, doesn’t mean that you are not suitable for the job. For example, if you are applying for a job as an administrator but have retail experience, you can clearly show that you have some of the required skills; anyone who has worked in retail will be able to talk about clear communication, problem solving, and working under pressure (all of which could be requirements for the admin job).
- Show the employer that you have done your research. Applying for jobs is hard work, but try not to fall into the trap of sending the same application for every vacancy. A little research can show that you are applying for this job, not just any job. For example, “I was really excited to read about [your company’s] commitment to sustainability” or “it would be great to work for a company who have a track record of training and developing their staff”. Even a quick glimpse at their website or LinkedIn page can help with this.
- Demonstrate that you are the right person for the job. If you like what they do, show how you would fit in. Try not to be a fanboy/girl, but do talk about your interests and personality. Do you know anyone who works there, or have you read anything about their workplace culture? Sometimes being the right fit is more important that ticking all the boxes.
Remember that there is both a science and an art to applying for jobs; match the person specification as much as you can, but also show enthusiasm and suggest that you would be the right person to join their team. If you want any support with your job applications, then get in touch with us.
[Cover photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels]
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