There are various ways of applying for a job in today’s job market. Replying to job adverts is what most people think of as the main method of application but did you know that many jobs are never advertized? This happens for many reasons; often, it is not useful for companies to receive lots of applications for a job as it is both time-consuming and does not necessarily lead to the right candidate being found; also, many small and medium-sized companies simply cannot afford to advertize their vacancies and thus solely rely on speculative applications. Thus there are two main ways of applying for a job: responding to job adverts and submitting speculative applications. And of course, applications can also be distinguished by the medium used for applying. As online applications are becoming increasingly popular, we will also discuss their unique characteristics below.
1. Responding to job adverts
When you respond to a job advert you need to show that you have exactly what the employer is looking for, so think about which skills are needed in that particular role and give examples of when and how you have demonstrated each skill. This often requires reading between the lines; that is, not simply matching yourself to the job but thinking about what else will be expected of you in the role, the other qualities you can bring, and how your past experience will help you. Think about your academic achievements, responsibilities during work experience or voluntary activities, and involvement in societies or sporting activities. With each of these things, consider what you did, the responsibilities you had, how you achieved success and the evidence you can present to support this. It’s important to select the key words in the advert and focus on these in your answer. For example, have a look at the job advert below.
The table below provides a good guideline of how to address this job advert effectively in your application. Use it as a basis for your own applications. By breaking down your skills and experience you can begin to work out how to formulate your answers and how to emphasize your strengths. This will make it clear, hugely improve your chances of success.
2. Speculative applications
Sending a speculative application can be a very effective method of finding a job and in some industries it is the preferred method of recruitment. Speculative applications show great initiative and demonstrate your interest in a particular company. Although applying speculatively can be frustrating, often with a low response rate, it’s likely that if you come across a vacancy there will be less competition for the role, and an employer may even keep your CV on file until an appropriate job comes up. It is also possible that employers will create positions specifically for a candidate who has submitted an impressive speculative application.
Speculative applications are more unique than others and thorough research is vital, both in terms of selecting the right company and demonstrating your knowledge of that company. You should send your application to a named person in the department in which you would like to work – never write Dear Sir/Madam as this shows a lack of research. Be very focused in your approach because you will need to sell yourself more in this type of letter than you would if applying for an advertized vacancy, so ensure that your letter is very specifically targeted towards your chosen employer. Call the employer two weeks later to follow up. If you are unsuccessful then ask for feedback and also ask if they know anyone else you can contact – this is all part of the networking process!
Top tips for sending a speculative application:
3. Online applications
Online applications are becoming increasingly popular across all sectors as a particularly efficient method of recruitment, as they allow companies to store and retrieve information much more easily. As with other applications, research is vital, as is professionalism in the answers you give.
Applying online has various meanings:
While many employers still rely on CVs, large organizations that receive large numbers of job applications generally prefer to use their own application form. That way, they get answers to the questions they want answered and can easily compare one application with another, which is much more difficult with CVs.
If you are asked to complete an online job application form then many companies have some form of pre-screening, so you may have to answer a questionnaire or carry out some tests before you can actually access the application form. You will probably also have to register on the website, which will involve giving some personal details and possibly answering a few simple questions about your interest in the job. If you do register then make sure you write down your username and password so that you can access your account later on!
Many online application forms give you the opportunity to save your work and this is valuable because it allows you to complete your application in different stages, filling in a few sections each time you log-in. This is also useful because time away from your application will make it much easier to spot spelling and grammar mistakes, which are a big problem with online applications generally. You should save your application form regularly so that you have a copy if your computer suddenly crashes. It’s also worth remembering that some online systems will automatically log you out after a period of inactivity.
If you’re unable to save your work, you will have to sit down and complete your application in one go, in which case you should print out the application form and fill in a draft copy first or simply prepare long answers in a Word document, use the spell-check and then cut and paste them into the online form. As some questions may have a word limit, this is also a good way of ensuring that your answers are not too long.
It’s important to plan your time carefully where online applications are concerned. Not only will it take a great deal of time to fill in the application form but some sites may be difficult to navigate or many people may decide to submit their applications at once which can result in technical problems, so be prepared for all of these things and try to submit your application early.
If you’re sending your application via email and attaching your CV/application form rather than just submitting it through a company website then you will need to write a cover letter in an email format. Include the same information as you would in a traditional cover letter. Write in proper sentences and structure your email formally, beginning with ‘Dear…’ and finishing with ‘Yours faithfully. You don’t need to include the company’s address in the email.
Some companies use automated selection software to look for key words in your application, studying 20 lines or so at a time. Therefore, you should make the first paragraph of your email and your application particularly ‘punchy’ with lots of power words that grab the reader’s attention. Don’t forget to attach your CV to the email – it’s an easy mistake to make but it doesn’t look professional. Also, send your email from an account with a professional email address to create the best impression of you!
Top tips for completing an online application:
