Applying to jobs can seem terrifying. Not only do you have to produce a powerful and attention-retaining CV and cover letter, but you also often have to tackle an application form.
When applying for my placement role with SRS, I spent a whole day stressing and pacing around my bedroom over the thought of the application process. It meant so much to me as it was my dream role; it allowed me to not only be creative but to also learn more about the industry. Starting is always the most challenging part of any task, so I went to my university careers service for guidance in where to begin. The careers team were super helpful and gave me loads of tips and tricks. SRS sent candidates some really handy resources, such as their employability webinars and communications to help me understand more about them as an organisation so I could better understand what it would be like to work for them. I also conducted my own research, utilising friends and family, and looking at experts online.
I have collected all the great advice I found/received and have written this blog to hopefully help you to ace your CV, cover letter and application form.
First things first, here are mine and SRS's dos and don'ts for writing your CV
The list is inspired by SRS’s ‘Creating a Killer CV and Acing Application Forms’ employability webinar. To watch the full webinar, click the button at the end of this blog.
Having a killer CV under your belt is nothing without a good cover letter
Once again, proofreading is your ally in ensuring you haven’t made any silly mistakes and showing you have put time and effort into your cover letter.
Make sure you highlight any key skills and experience relevant to the job role/description and give evidence of where you have displayed these.
Do your research. Showing you understand the company’s ethos and what they are looking for will help you stand out to the employer. It demonstrates to them that you have taken time and effort when approaching the application.
Use your tone of writing to show off your personality and show enthusiasm for the role. Employers read hundreds of cover letters, so showcase who you are creatively to grab their attention.
Remember, this is still a formal letter, so structuring it accordingly is important. Try to find out the name of the person reading the cover letter, and make sure you use conventional starting and ending language for a letter.
Application Forms aren’t as scary as they look
Here are some tips on how to approach them:
Make sure you read and follow the instructions carefully, put in all the correct information and proofread everything you write.
Answer all the questions you are asked, even the ‘additional information’ question as it shows you are eager and have thought about the application.
Try not to repeat yourself. This can be hard when you have already spent hours writing your CV and cover letter. You may feel as though you have exhausted all your points about what you bring to the table, however, try to be creative and keep it concise. Your answers should respond to questions fully and appropriately.
Stand out from the crowd. Many people have similar work experiences, e.g., waitressing or retail, so you need to make sure you differ from everyone else. Consider detailing how you went above and beyond in these more generic roles, and how the experience has helped guide your future, so you are more memorable.
Give the recruiters a clear view of who you are. Try using the STARR technique when approaching application form questions, this method will help you to give precise and detailed answers:
Here’s some great advice from our assessors
“In general, it is usually easy to tell apart those who invest time and thought into their application/CV/cover letter from those who don’t. It also makes a big difference if they tailor all aspects of their application to the actual job role (i.e. by linking it clearly to the job description) rather than sending out the same generic CV to several employers. Use of the STAR technique makes it concise, precise and often tailored.”
“Translate your experience into something that firstly stands out from others, and secondly that highlights your skills. So, rather than describing yourself as a waitress or barista who served customers and dealt with complaints, use more descriptive words about what you did; e.g., you managed multiple tables and served to the expected standard going above and beyond with personal service.”