CAREER SEARCH / 19 JULY 2023

Crush Your Career Hunt: Your Essential Checklist for an Outstanding Job Application

Let’s face it, when it comes to job applications 2023 has been quite a rollercoaster ride so far. The business landscape has been turbulent, with companies cutting costs, restructuring, and unfortunately, even letting go of valuable talent. It’s a tough market out there, and competition has never been more intense.

And not to be the bearer of bad news, did you know that an average job application receives a whopping 200 submissions? It’s no wonder that 75% of resumes get rejected during the screening process. This doesn’t mean that you lack experience or skills, but often because of the smallest details that slip through the cracks such as format, content, or the right keywords. It’s frustrating to put your heart into an application only to receive a rejection email within hours.

But don’t lose hope! we’ve got you covered.

Get ready to elevate your job application game with our ultimate checklist. From mastering recruiter algorithms to crafting an application that stands out from the crowd, we’ll cover every crucial aspect.

With our unique tips and tricks, you’ll confidently navigate the competitive job market and secure those dream opportunities.

10 Steps to Crushing Your Job Application

1. RESEARCH AND ALIGN MOTIVATIONS

Start on the right foot by thoroughly researching the company you’re interested in. Explore their website, social networks, and industry publications to gather valuable insights about their vision, values, and culture.

Take note of what excites you about working there and why you want to apply for the specific role.

Reflect on your skills, interests, and career aspirations and take note of any particular interest or alignment with the potential role

Inside Tip: Take your research to the next level by using professional networking platforms, such as LinkedIn, to gain valuable insights into existing employees, leaders, or founders. Get to know their backgrounds, experiences. This will help you gain further insights into the company culture.

2. READ BETWEEN THE LINES OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION

Carefully read the job description to understand the specific qualifications and responsibilities required for the role. Identify how your skills and experience align with the requirements and make a note of key points you can emphasise in your application.

Inside Tip: Look beyond the listed qualifications and responsibilities. Pay attention to the finer details such as deadlines, requirements and processes. These can sometimes be overlooked in the excitement of applying.

3. PERSONALISE YOUR CV AND COVER LETTER

To really stand out from the crowd it is crucial to customise your CV and cover letter for each application. Highlight the relevant skills and experiences that align with the job requirements.

Showcase your accomplishments and specific achievements that demonstrate how you can bring value to the company.

Inside Tip: Be concise and impactful in your wording, providing concrete examples of your contributions in previous roles. Most importantly, avoid using terms that can be commonly found in almost every CV. Read our article “Stand Out in the Job Market: Ditch These 20 Resume Buzzwords and Elevate Your Brand Visibility”

4. ADD RELEVANT KEYWORDS

Large companies are now using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter through volumes of applications. This could mean that the right person for the role could be often overlooked, don’t let this happen to you. Get in the habit of using key words from the job description to demonstrate your suitability for the role.

Inside Tip: Use a combination of industry-specific terms, transferable skills and keywords to make your application stand out to both applicant tracking systems and human recruiters.

5. CHECK FOR ERRORS

Review your application meticulously to catch any grammar, spelling, or formatting mistakes. Ask a friend or mentor to proofread your documents for a fresh perspective.

Inside Tip: Tools such as Grammarly or Spell Check can be a lifesaver however don’t solely rely on these. Review your application manually by reading it aloud to catch any overlooked mistakes or inconsistencies.

6. VISUALLY FORMAT AND CREATE PDF COPIES

Content is more important than style when it comes to sending out your application, however, it is still essential to let your personality shine through in how you present your documents. Ensure that the format of each document aligns with your role and industry and consider incorporating a professional image if it complements your application.

Inside Tip: To maintain a professional impression, use a standard naming convention for the files, such as “Firstname_Lastname_CV.pdf.” This small detail showcases your attention to professionalism and organisation.

7. ALIGN YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

Review your social media profiles to ensure they reflect your professional brand and align with the image you want to portray to potential employers.

Inside Tip: 2 out of 3 employers check the candidates social media profiles as part of the screening process. Make sure you remove or privatise any content that may not align with the image you want to portray to potential employers. Don’t let this be the thing that doesn’t get you your dream job.

8. ATTACH AND SUBMIT

When submitting your application, follow the employer’s instructions for attaching the files and providing additional documents whether it is on their website, or via email.

Inside Tip: When emailing your application, write a concise yet compelling email body that highlights your interest in the role and briefly summarises your key qualifications. Try to avoid copying and pasting your cover letter.

9. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR APPLICATIONS

Utilise a spreadsheet or job application tracker to monitor your progress, including follow-up dates and any additional information requested by employers.

Inside Tip: Set yourself a 7 day reminder to check in on the progress of your application. Note down any feedback or next steps so that you can use it as a learning tool for future roles.

10. FOLLOW UP

If you haven’t received a response within the specified timeframe, don’t hesitate to send a polite follow-up email to express your continued interest in the position.

Use the opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and briefly remind the employer of your qualifications.

Inside Tip: Avoid sending multiple messages across several platforms at the same time. One follow up e-mail is enough rather than an e-mail, a LinkedIn message and then writing a message to their colleague.

Your Essential Checklist

In the journey of pursuing your dream job, remember that you don’t have to go it alone. We offer personalised 1:1 coaching services designed to empower you in your job search, understand and leverage your unique strengths, receive valuable feedback, and master your interview skills.

Together, we’ll work towards ensuring your career success and crafting a bright future. If you’re ready to take the next step in your professional journey visit The Refine Factor to learn more and schedule a free consultation.