When sending through job applications it is imperative to ensure that you represent yourself in the best possible light. To ensure your application is well received it is important to focus on some key elements:-

Covering letter
Email covering notes
Resumes (or CV’s)
Content
Layout Design

Covering Letter

A well written covering letter will enable you to make a good first impression with your consultant and prospective employers. It is important that you outline your key skills and experience and illustrate how these are relevant for the role you are applying for. For this reason it is important that you tailor each letter to the specific requirements of the role. Although this may take a little longer it will ultimately pay dividends.

When constructing your letter it is advised that you:

• are concise and keep the letter to one page
• refer to the advertised job title, reference number and when and where you saw the advertisement
• outline the reason for your interest in the role and explain why your skills and experience are relevant to the advertised role
• ensure that you proof read your covering letter thoroughly before submission and spell check the document
• address the letter to the relevant contact listed in the advertisement

Email Covering Notes

It is easy to be lazy when applying for roles on-line, however, for that reason it is easier to stand out from the crowd by producing a professional and informative introductory letter. Ensure that your initial email follows all the points listed above and is then supported by a formal letter of introduction.

Resumes (or Curriculum Vitae)

Your resume is vital in your search for a new role. It needs to present your information in a clear, concise, informative way that truly reflects your talents, responsibilities and also your achievements within your previous roles. It is again important to make sure that for each role that you apply for you think through your experience and highlight for your consultant, or future employer, the experience that is most relevant to them.

The structure of the resume is important and although previously 2 pages were de rigueur it is now acceptable (where appropriate) to have resumes that are 5-7 pages long. However, it is very rarely advisable to submit a resume that is any longer than this; condense your historic work achievements and focus on your most recent and relevant experience for the role in question.

Make sure that you include on page 1:-

• Personal Details
• Qualifications and Education
• Systems Skills
• Career Summary

 
After the initial précis you can then outline in detail your experience with:-

• Detailed Employment History – Responsibilities and Achievements
• Hobbies & Interests
• Referees

Content

• Customise your resume for each job by focusing on previous experience or skills that are relevant to the advertised role
• Use clear, concise and active language (e.g., accomplished, created, launched, negotiated, etc)
• Write your resume in the third person and keep pronouns (i.e., I, we, they) to a minimum or avoid them altogether
• List your employment history and education details in reverse chronological order (i.e., start with the most recent), making sure you list the period of employment with the month as well as the year commenced / concluded
• When listing your employment history, include responsibilities, achievements and results for each position
• Ensure results are specific and quantifiable. Using numbers and percentages will help to illustrate your successes or the impact you have had
• Use bullet points, rather than a narrative style (it will also help you get to 3-5 pages)
• Keep it honest. Don’t exaggerate your experience as you may be asked more detailed questions which bring out the truth
• Avoid initials and jargons, and write in plain English so that you are understood
• Ensure that you spell check and then proof read your resume thoroughly before submitting it to each role

Layout & Design

The final look and feel of your resume is ultimately a personal preference, but presentation should be crisp and neat, not fussy or lengthy.

Use fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial/Helvetica as they are found on most computer systems and are clear and easy to read.