Job applications are your chance to make an initial first impression with prospective employers. In most situations, they are the only thing that will get you to the next stage of the process, so getting your application noticed is very important. 

We have eight main tips to optimise the applications you submit to increase your chances of moving to the next stage of the recruitment process: 

• Apply for the right jobs 

• Tailor your application 

• Keep it succinct 

• Keep it positive 

• Make it error-free and easy to read 

• Focus on achievements 

• Be authentic 

• Review your online presence 

We can now explore each of the points further. 

Apply for the Right Jobs 

It doesn’t matter how good your application is if you don’t apply for jobs that fit your expertise, capabilities, experience, and skills. So, the starting point to getting your applications noticed is to apply for the right types of jobs. 

Tailor Your Application to the Job 

One of the biggest mistakes that candidates make is creating a standard cover letter and CV and then using them on all job applications. Even when submitting an application form instead of a CV, it is common for the answers to be copy-pasted with little, if any, editing or customising. 

By tailoring your application to the job, you will not only stand out from others but also demonstrate that you have made an effort for the specific job in question. 

Some tips for tailoring your application to the job include: 

• Read the job posting again and then work on matching your achievements, skills, and experience with those requirements. Remember that the responsibilities and requirements at the top of the job listing are likely to be the most important to the company, so put as much emphasis on them as possible. 

• Reorder, remove, add to, and adjust the phrasing of all parts of your CV as appropriate to make it more fitting for the company and role. 

• Align your hobbies and interests to the job wherever possible. For example, if you play team sports, you can highlight how this experience has helped develop your leadership and/or communication skills. 

• Make sure you address the cover letter to the right company and person. Check and double-check to make sure you don’t get this part wrong. 

• In your cover letter, show genuine interest in the company and position you are applying for. 

Keep It Succinct 

Your cover letter and CV should be detailed and comprehensive, but it should also be succinct. Using bullet points instead of paragraphs can help, especially in your CV. Removing repetition and unnecessarily flowery language will also help. 

Keep It Positive 

Your job application should come across to readers as positively as possible. One thing you should absolutely avoid is being negative about past employers. 

Ensure It is Error-free and Easy to Read 

This point is about demonstrating you have taken care with your job application, but it is also about removing any distractions from the substance of what you are saying. If a recruiter sees a spelling mistake, for example, they will be disappointed in the mistake as well as being distracted from the point you were trying to get across. 

Some tips to make sure your job application is error-free and easy to read include: 

• Check and double-check for spelling and grammatical errors. 

• Make sure to also check the spelling of the name of the company. 

• Structure and lay out your CV professionally with a focus on making the information flow and the overall document easy to read. 

• Use a consistent, standard font – your CV or cover letter is not the place for unusual typography. 

Focus on Achievements, Not Responsibilities 

It is common for the job history section of CVs to list out job titles and responsibilities. Employers are much more interested in what you achieved in your previous roles, so focus on achievements, not responsibilities. 

Be Authentic 

Your job application should present you in the best light possible, but it is still important to be authentic. So, don’t exaggerate and avoid using buzzwords as much as possible. It is also helpful to avoid meaningless phrases like “extremely motivated” or “solution-driven” as they are used so often. 

Review Your Online Presence 

Employers will often do a quick search for you online after reading your job application, so make sure you are happy with what they will find. Look up your name on Google and check your social media accounts, especially LinkedIn. Just like your application, you are unlikely to get a job based on your LinkedIn profile, but a good profile will help make you stand out. 

The Importance of Standing Out 

Finally, it is beneficial to remember that the recruitment market constantly changes. Even if you found it straightforward to get to the interview stages when applying for jobs in the past, it doesn’t mean that will be the case now. In fact, in many sectors and industries, the recruitment market is getting tighter. 

So, our final tip is to not be complacent. Following the points in this blog will help make your job applications stand out.