Tim Kemp contributes to UK Construction
In November 2007's monthly column for UK Construction magazine, Tim Kemp, Director at Warren Partners, looked at the process of applying for jobs:
Whether you are applying for graduate trainee positions or board level appointments, getting the basics of the job application process right is key to success. It is, therefore, worth taking your time to give yourself the best opportunity.
The first thing to bear in mind is that there are three components of a standard job application – a covering letter, CV and interview – with the latter two the most important. A covering letter may be useful in highlighting specific aspects of experience, but will almost certainly only be read after the CV.
The best CVs are written from the perspective of the reader rather than the writer. The reader is interested in understanding what you have achieved in your various roles, not simply seeing a list of what those roles or responsibilities were. While a summary of your key attributes can be useful, this is from your perspective and is, therefore, unlikely to be objective.
Factual achievements carry considerably more weight with the reader in the context of applying for a job, and you should include facts and figures wherever possible and appropriate. For example, stating that you 'increased sales' is far less impressive than saying that you were 'directly responsible for a 50 per cent increase in sales over three years'.
You shouldn't assume the reader has heard of the organisation or division you worked for. Help them to understand the context of your role in terms of size, scale and sector, but at the same time don't give them 'War and Peace' to read. Have some sympathy and be clear and concise within a two to three-page format.
The best way to approach a covering letter is to treat it like an exam question – this means reading the advert for the role thoroughly and tailoring its content accordingly. The letter should contain all the key requirements that you will need to demonstrate to get through to the next stage, in terms of experience, skill set and competencies.
Remember that the 'examiner' (in this case most likely an HR or recruitment professional) is not bothered about information that is not directly relevant – you won't get any extra marks for it! So while playing football or netball can support any claims to work well in a team environment, talking about your love of socialising and staying out until the early hours of the morning will only make employers question your dedication to the role.
It should also go without saying that spelling and grammar on both CVs and covering letters should be accurate. These are representative of your abilities, and it reflects poorly on your attention to detail if you send them out containing even a single error. Get at least one other person to proofread it for you and don't rely on computer spell checks, which are notorious for missing errors and encouraging American spellings.
Above all, you must be realistic. Although perfect candidates don't generally exist and you may not be able to demonstrate every aspect required, you will need to score well on most of the issues to pass through to the next stage, otherwise you may be better going for a different role. Don't waste your time applying for a position if you aren't adequately qualified or your personality won't suit the organisation.
Even the best and most experienced candidates on paper can be let down by severe nerves on the day of the interview. Fortunately, there are a number of techniques that can help to minimise the chance of falling apart.
Firstly, you should always make sure you are well prepared, knowing exactly what the company does and how you plan to respond to key questions. If possible, try to have a mock interview with a skilled friend – the more you practise, the more comfortable you will feel. This should alert you to any issues in your CV or covering letter, allowing you time to prepare your responses.
Being punctual will create a positive first impression and stop you feeling stressed. When you meet the interviewer, smile and give a firm handshake and, throughout the process, maintain eye contact and listen to the questions so you can give thoughtful and appropriate answers. No matter how well qualified you are, personal chemistry and 'fit' may well determine your fate, so try to project a professional and confident image at all times.
November 2007
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