EVERY DAY, RECRUITERS and hiring managers sift through hundreds of CVs, cover letters and online professional profiles looking for the right talent.
They are searching for reasons to rule out applicants. A misspelled word, a sloppy format or a sparse CV could be all that it takes. Don’t give them a reason to throw your application in the bin.
To help you beat the system, we decided to ask some tech industry experts the one thing that talent should never do during the application process. If you avoid these pitfalls you could be well on the way to success.
Don’t send generic cover notes. My view is that cover notes are outdated but if you are going to send one make it personalised and make it snappy. Think of yourself as a brand – how would you market yourself?
Get rid of stale and overused phrases like “hard worker”, “team player” and “self-motivated.” Your cover letter is your chance to show the company who you are and what you can bring to the table.
Make it ridiculously clear exactly how you can help the company by highlighting their pain points and offering solutions. This will demonstrate your passion from the get go.
Remember to keep your cover letter short and sweet. Hiring managers do not have time to read long-winded paragraphs. They will likely just be scanning for the relevant information. Make this clear for them by using snappy sentences and an active voice.
Remember that your cover letter does not have to contain your whole job history, the whole point of it is to encourage the hiring manager to read your CV. Treat it like a movie trailer, a sneak peak with some of the highlights but not the full story.
Don’t be dishonest. Transparency is key!
If you’re going to lie during the application process, you’re going to get found out. It’s as simple as that. Not only will it be painfully honest during your interview that you’ve padded out your CV, most hiring managers will automatically check your references before bringing you in.
Save yourself some serious embarrassment and just be truthful. You’ll have a clear conscious and your employer will be impressed with your candour. A good honest application will speak volumes, have some faith in your own ability. You’ve got this.
Being unresponsive is the most offputting thing a candidate can do.
If you’re currently applying for new jobs then you need to be constantly checking your emails and voicemails throughout the day and even at weekends. Hiring Managers often move quickly to fill roles that have become available within their organisation.
Not checking your emails for a few days could be the difference between getting a new job and getting that heart-breaking rejection letter. By being responsive you are showing your potential future employer that you are enthusiastic and engaged.
It will also tell them a lot about what sort of employee you will be. Always be polite and prompt during all your interactions. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a positive impression during the application process.
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