I’ve lost count of the number of hours I’ve spent shortlisting candidates for vacant posts. I’ve frequently been disappointed by the quality of the applications I’ve received. I’m sure that many capable people are out there. However, applicants often sell themselves short, meaning I’ll never actually meet them.
There is so much information available online on how to apply well that I’m astonished people don’t think to use it. A quick Google search for making job applications in the UK revealed well over 55 million links. If you’ve not been invited to an interview recently, maybe you’ve been assuming you know how to make a good application. Perhaps it’s time to review your approach.
Learning how to craft a great application benefits applicants and recruiters. It saves both parties time and effort. Employers have a problem- they have a job they need to fill. You may be the solution to their problem, so make it easy for them to shortlist your application.
Application skills are entirely learnable and well worth the effort. I’ve listed some of the common mistakes I’ve come across below. If you’ve ever wondered why you didn’t make the shortlist, check that you’re not making any of the following errors.
1. Applying for the wrong job
Yes, the right job appears at the top of the application form, but the text and reasons for applying don’t match with anything on the Person Specification. This suggests text has been cut and pasted from another application form and that this is one of many.
2. Spelling and grammatical errors.
Why not download Grammarly? It’s free and will pick up most errors; just ensure you check for any American spellings. Do also ask someone else to proofread your application before submitting it. It’s easy to miss errors in your document when you’ve spent a long time immersed in writing it. It’s much easier to spot errors in others’ work.
3. Failing to meet any of the Essential criteria.
Not all applicants will meet every single essential criterion. However, the clue is in the title. If you don’t have the relevant qualifications, equivalent experience, or any of the Essential skills listed, it would be best not to waste your time applying.
4. Enclosing copies of documents that have not been requested.
This slows down the shortlisting process and irritates the recruiter- not the impression you want to create
5. Follow the instructions on CV length.
If you’re asked to enclose a CV, make sure your CV does not exceed two pages. I’ve received some which have been 8-10 pages long. Two pages are the convention for most roles- unless a recruiter provides guidance to the contrary, in which case follow their instructions. If in doubt, stick to two pages.
6. Failure to tailor your experiences to ensure they are relevant to the job role.
I don’t want or need to know about all the different things you’ve achieved in your Sales role unless your skills are directly relevant. Check the skills required in the Person Specification and align yours with those.
7. Burying your relevant experience in a lengthy ‘additional information’ section.
Recruiters don’t have time to excavate skills buried in lots of text. Simply take the criteria and provide evidence for each, preferably in the order they’re listed. This will save you a lot of time; your information will be presented neatly. You’ll be pleased at how much more professional your application looks and the recruiter will find it much easier to see how you meet the job role requirements.
8. Poor quality applications from people who should know better
A particular bugbear of mine is those who advise others on applications and CVs but who submit poor-quality applications themselves. I expect you can imagine what happens to those applications.
9. Not making it clear why you’re applying for the role.
Remember to tell the recruiter why you’re applying for the job. They want to see evidence of your motivation and enthusiasm as well as relevant skills and experiences. This is especially important if you lack some Essential skills. Not all applications ask for this- but make sure you include this- either in your cover letter or in the ‘Additional Information’ section of the application.
10. Using AI unthinkingly.
It’s tempting to use AI to save time when you’re applying for jobs. Some aspects of AI may help you consider how to present your information. However, it’s limited in its degree of sophistication. As more applicants use Chat GPT or other AI platforms, recruiters complain that many applications have become indistinguishable, with key phrases and language giving the game away. Whatever AI generates, you’ll still need to tailor and personalise.
For helpful tips on AI and applications see Raj Sidhu’s YouTube channel Raj Sidhu – YouTube
What else can you do?
Recruiters have a problem to solve. They desperately want to fill their vacancies with good people. And there are many good people out there. However, recruiters are time-poor. If they receive fifty applications, they don’t have time to wade through twenty pages of information. Make it easy for them to see how you match what they’re looking for. They’ll be impressed you’ve made the effort.
A good application takes time. It’s much better to send off a smaller number of excellent applications than to treat the process as a numbers game. Generic applications will most likely lead to multiple rejections.
By changing your approach, the quality of your applications will instantly improve. You’ll be able to showcase your many valuable skills and experiences and do yourself justice.