Application Frustration

Dear ….

I noted with interest the above position, as advertised on jobsite, and would like to be considered for this vacancy. I have attached my CV and covering letter (or application) to this email.

Kind Regards

Caitlin

*clicks send*

How many CV’s, covering letters, application forms and emails have you sent? If the job seeker is serious about getting a job then TRILLIONS! Normally, companies like to seem polite and will set up an automatic email stating to the applicant that they have received the application and will be in touch after closing date. To save time and effort, other companies will highlight if the applicant does not hear back then the applicant has not been shortlisted. Finally, there is the last group of companies (I consider rude) that do not get back to the applicant at all. I feel that every organisation should get back to the job seeker no matter what! Sure, they might have over a hundred applications, but the applicant has taken the time to apply for the position, shown interest, therefore out of courtesy should get a response.

It is so frustrating, FRUSTRATING, not to get a response. Companies may find the situation #awkward, but giving the applicant feedback could help the applicant for the future. When I first started searching for a job to do with my degree I was getting no responses. Until, I asked my mum for advice (she is skilled in creating CV’s) and we worked together to update and perfect my CV. We worked together and changed my CV based on:

• Presentation – make it look professional
• Proof read
• Show a relevant background
• Back up your awards and achievement
• Include a personal statement – short but sweet
• Keep it current

Having a professional opinion was so helpful! I started getting more interviews and moving forward. Although, I still was not completely happy. I thought it would be beneficial to get another opinion from a successful business (friend of a friend). Let’s call this person ‘Feedback-Emailer’. Through email, I sent Feedback-Emailer my covering letter and CV. A couple of weeks later, I got a very detailed response providing feedback, WOW, it was brutal. It may have been brutal, but it was straight to the point and gave me an insight to what successful businesses are looking for in an employee’s application. It was a very long email, so I have summed the main points, which are:

• Do not make covering letter too long
• Need something to make CV stand out – relevant to the position applying for
• Meet the requirements of the application
• Formatting
• Attention to the system – save as a PDF
• Make duties clear, relevant and concise
• Use loud buzz words – ‘manage’, ‘take responsibility’, ‘use initiative’

Remember, every organisation is different. A certain organisation might want a long personal statement and another might want the personal statement to be short and sweet. Also, one organisation might want a personal statement like a story when filling out an application and the other might want applicants to pick out the key elements (bullet point them) on the job description and then the applicant justifies why they have these skills (examples and explain).

Therefore, the applicants CV or application will never be perfect, but there are ways to make the applicants application stand out from the crowd. Feedback-Emailer was the person who inspired me to hunt for an internship. If anything, this is probably the most important point. Companies receive hundreds of CV’s on a daily basis, so the applicant needs something that the company will not just glance over. However, I cannot help feel, how difficult it is for a young person or graduate in today’s society to get an opportunity to better themselves, sometimes a person just needs a break! It does not seem fair to go through four or five years of university, or college, and then having to try and make them stand out. It just does not make sense. The gap needs to be closed. But if someone is willing to give advice then take it and move forward, never give up. It can be frustrating, but keep asking for feedback. If you get an unsuccessful for the first stage of the application process then phone or email and ask why.

But never give up. Never give up. Never give up.

Can you relate? Or am I just going crazy?