Most job applications fail due to bad CVs
The selection process
The administrator & your CV
The first thing that will normally be looked at is your CV, by an administrator. They will be looking at:
- do you meet the minimum entry requirements?
- have you made lots of spelling mistakes?
- is your CV presentable?
If you fail at this stage, they will probably not even look at your letter of application and you will be rejected.
The decision maker & your CV
If your application is good enough for your application to be passed through to the decision maker (who draws up the interview shortlist), they will then apply a stricter set of criteria to your CV. For example
- do you have the experience they are looking for?
- do you have the qualifications they are looking for?
- are there unexplained gaps on your CV?
- is there anything on your CV that indicates you might not be a strong candidate, in terms of skills or personality
Presentation - the words you use, what information you include, your CV layout - are crucial to avoid rejection at this stage. Remember, they probably haven't even yet looked at your letter of application!
Your letter of application
They will then look at your letter of application. If you have sent your letter and CV by email, they will probably look at the email you have sent too. You have more scope with your letter of application, but their assessment of it will also be more subjective! For example they might look for:
- your reasons for wanting this job, beyond needing a job
- how long you are likely to stay for
- your communication skills; in terms of how you express yourself as well as your grammar and spelling
- how your personality is percieved
I cannot more strongly recommend that you both ask a friend to read your letter, if possible one who is responsible for hiring, and also have a look at a range of other people's letters of application
Enter your name and email address to receive a free 9-page activity pack which will help you improve your CV. You get an example CV to look through to see what you think of it. Then you are given the detailed thoughts of an experienced employer. This will give you ideas about how to improve your own CV - guaranteed!
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