Applying for a job? How to go about it

Applying for a job is essentially like selling. First you make a marketing pamphlet or leaflet about the product that is you. This marketing pamphlet is then sent to a prospective job employer who has a position vacant in his organization. As you are the product, your CV featuring all your qualifications and experience in an impressive manner will do the selling for you. In fact, it has to do much more than make a good impression. It has to convince the prospective employer that you’d be perhaps the right man for job. So you can expect him to call you for an interview. So what constitutes the perfect CV?

Employers are used to a particular format in all their communications. Suppose it’s a product’s pamphlet sent by a supplier. There would be a covering letter briefly explaining the purpose of the communication and drawing the reader’s attention to the attached pamphlet. It’s a formality that every good CV must follow. First let’s describe the correct way to draft a CV.

• Start with a block heading: your name and contact details
• A brief professional profile – write about yourself and your career aims
• List your ‘key achievements’ and list them under this heading
• Mention your education history; in reverse chronology
• Next list your employment history also in reverse chronology
• List your skill set and include additional skills such as computer packages or a driving license
• A brief personal background listing your interests, hobbies, like sports or voluntary social work accomplishments; it would show that you have a life outside work
• End the CV with references or the line ‘reference available on request’

Now that you know the correct sequence for the contents, here are some tips (consider them rules) to ensure that your CV makes a successful sales pitch about you.

• Never exceed two pages of A4
• Never state the obvious like mentioning CV at the top
• Mention your marital status only if the advertisement specifically said so and if it matters to the job
• Choose a standard font and size (11 point would be perfect) to word process your CV
• Use an easy-to-read layout with space between sections for definition
• Make headings bold and use bullet points, avoid writing long descriptive paragraphs
• Print your CV on white or cream paper, or possibly coloured for arty jobs
• Provide evidence for whatever accomplishments you claim – copies or names of awards, trophies, certificates, etc.
• Employers look for team players so use every opportunity you can to show how good a team player you are.
• Tailor your CV for each job you apply and update it regularly.

Packaging your CV - The perfect covering letter
As mentioned in this heading, the purpose of a covering letter is to make a formal presentation of your CV. A well drafted covering letter never fails to impress and you can be sure your CV will be placed on the definite ‘interview’ pile. A good covering letter tells the prospective employer convincingly that you possess very good communication skills, which is necessary for most jobs. Remember this much your application will be one among many. The other applicants will also have roughly the same qualifications, and skill sets as you. So spend some time and effort to write out a good covering letter, as suggested here. In concise language, mention to the employer why you think your skills (mention your key points) match their needs and why you look forward to working for their company. Tell them your career vision. Employers like ambitious people. The entire covering letter must be no more than three paragraphs. Finish this letter on an optimistic note. Optimism reflects confidence.