As the grey clouds of the recession continue to loom over our heads, those of us in such circumstances as to be seeking employment are undoubtedly feeling first hand the effects of a job market which has - putting it rather mildly - seen much brighter days.
On an almost daily basis, recruitment analysts release revised statistics highlighting the ever intensifying level of competition between huge numbers of job applicants who are chasing the same few vacancies. As if so much as securing an interview was not tough enough in the first place, it isn't hard to see why many consider themselves to be facing impossibly stacked odds in the current climate, and are perhaps on the verge of giving up.
To make matters worse, all the cliched advice you've heard passed around over the years simply does not appear to work when put into practice. That tip about over exaggerating your interest in whatever field each advertised vacancy happens to be in doesn't seem to garner the interest of a potential employer. The university degree which you worked so hard and got into debt for does not appear to be giving you as much of an edge as you had hoped. The boasting of your pursuance of all kinds of wonderfully eccentric hobbies in your spare time doesn't seem to impress anyone. Is there any hope left?
Yes - absolutely! You simply need to realize that the majority of advice handed out to job-seekers is either outdated or didn't really apply in the first place. Here are five common mistakes job-seekers make in their applications. If you avoid these, you will immediately and infinitely increase your chances of landing whatever job(s) you apply for, or at least of being granted an interview.
Addressing the recipient of your job application as Sir or Madam.
This may seem the right and respectful thing to do, but the reality is that it's a wasted opportunity. First of all, if you were already provided with the name of the person to whom your application should be addressed, you've already emitted a glimmer of ignorance by refusing to comply. If a name wasn't provided, then you should use your initiative and find it out. If the company has a website, go on-line and find the name of the hiring manager. If not, call the company up and ask for the name of the hiring manager. You may feel like you're being a nuisance, but if you put your own fears aside, what you've actually done is illustrate that you have effective communications skills, common sense, and can use your initiative. These are all highly impressive and useful traits.
Sending off a generic, mass-produced application letter.
Although this is similar to the last point, it is still very important. Beyond simply tailoring the name on each application for each intended recipient, it is important to include as many references as possible to that company and whatever products and services they offer. Refer to them, their products and their services by name. Mention any awards they have won or achievements they have earned which they are likely to be proud of. Show that you've done your research; that you're genuinely interested in their company, not just any company. You don't want them to think that you're simply and thoughtlessly sending off a mass-produced job application letter, as the majority of other applicants will be.
Being too afraid to talk about money and profit.
Think about it - the top priority and bottom line of most companies is profit. The more profit they can make the better. Profit is all they're really interested in. If it wasn't for the existence of profit (or potential for profit), that company wouldn't even exist. For that reason and that reason alone, your potential boss will care very little about anything else you have to tell them, if it doesn't somehow translate into more profit for them. They aren't really interested in how many degrees you possess, unless your possession of those degrees enables you to earn more profit for them. They don't care about the fact that you were the most highly regarded player in the high school soccer team. They won't care if you single-handedly saved the planet from impending doom, causing the entire global population to worship you, unless you can somehow leverage that achievement, experience and exposure to make them more profit. Basically, if you can't illustrate how your skills and qualifications will ultimately earn them more profit, they're unlikely to consider you as a worthy addition to the team, and you're unlikely to get an interview.
Not wanting to sound too cocky.
Coming across as arrogant and egotistical in your job application isn't something you should be striving for, but then again, neither is being too soft and polite so as to be perceived as someone who has little real value to offer, and no confidence in their abilities. Again, the top priority is profit, so if you can't come out and say with utmost confidence that their employing of you will translate into a greater and more profitable company, then they're unlikely to be interested. Talk with authority on the subject of the job you are applying for. Let them know that you are the expert in that field; the one to solve their problems; the missing cog from the machine that is their company. Don't be afraid of making them doubt their own knowledge on any given subject. If you can sound more knowledgeable than them, that is a good thing. By the time they're finished reading or listening, there should be no doubt in their mind that failing to employ you would be a majorly poor business decision that will haunt them for a long time to come.
Failure to follow up.
This is probably the most commonly overlooked technique. How often have you been into an electronics store, fully determined not to buy anything the sales person tries to sell, and still walked out with an armful of extra gizmo's and a aching wallet? It's happened to the best of us, and it's no different as far as jobs go. Don't take rejection (or not hearing back) too personally, and don't make the mistake of instantly giving up. Follow through with an email, letter or telephone call, to ask if the company has received your application. Ask for information as to why you haven't yet heard anything, or for feedback as to why you weren't chosen for an interview. Once you know why you were dismissed, keep in regular contact with that company. There is a good chance the same (or a similar) vacancy will open up at the same company in the near future. If you've built up a line of communication with them, you're going to jump right to the front of the queue to fill that new vacancy. Companies are persistent in their sales and marketing tactics; why shouldn't you be in your pursuance of a job with them? After all, what you are doing, in essence, is marketing yourself to them.
A lot of the mistakes people make when applying for jobs stem from the tendency to be too modest and polite in an attempt to charm their way into the company. That may be a nice idea in theory, but in reality it rarely works. A savvy job-seeker will be polite and courteous but ruthless enough to be able to put up their hand and say, "If you don't pick me, you're making a huge mistake". If done right, you will find yourself in a situation most job-seekers could only dream of. Potential employers will begin to feel the need to sell themselves to you, through fear of losing out on the opportunity to make you a part of their team.
Written By: Michael Derbyshire
Michael writes on a variety of topics and has a special interest in trying to educate consumers into making better and more informed purchase decisions. To do this he maintains and writes for various websites about all kinds of topics including electric patio heaters and Lafuma chairs.
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