The Top 10 Secrets of Successful Job Applications!

For many job applications are a nightmare. Anyhow what once has started as an opportunity becomes almost a nightmare. Instead of sleeping properly our mind starts chasing questions in our head such as:

How many applicants? Will they like my application? Am I good enough? What if I mess up the interview. Will I get an invitation for an interview at all?

All these questions are indeed valuable and important to ask. Though we tend to answer these questions in doubting ourselves. So we might think about the chances that we get the job are very low as there are too many great applicants. We might figure that we made a spelling mistake. We might get nervous since we doubt that we are good enough etc…

Here is where the secrets of a successful job applications kick in. Let’s find out more about them:

1. Apply only for jobs you really want to do and you really can do!  The law of large numbers might apply for many things, but for a successful job application it is important to be selective. Once you have interest and skills for a role you have applied for you appear more confident and an interview invitation becomes more likely.  Although you might be desperate for an income, don’t fool yourself. Even if you might still get that job you don’t like you soon will be miserable and unproductive in both work and private life.
2. Write only a short, but confident cover note! A cover note introduces your CV. Make sure that you come across as being confident that you are the perfect candidate for the role you are applying for. Though there is no need to tell them why. The recruiter will have a look at the CV to figure out whether this is true. Less is more!
3. Use your CV as a selling tool! How does your CV look like? Is it interesting to read through? Imagine you would be the recruiter for the advertised position. What would you look for? Integrate this in your CV. Have a clear structure and keep it short, neat and relevant. Once the recruiter is curious about your experiences, skill set, and career history, he definitely wants to see you for an interview.
4. Research the company! Have a look at the company website. Research questions such as: What is the vision, the philosophy, the values etc.? What are the products? How are they being advertised? What is in the news about the company? Find something that you can get excited or even passionate about. Once you have done your homework the interview will have a positive energy flow as the recruiter picks up on your excitement about the company and its core values.
5. Prepare content for the interview! Ask yourself why would you be the best candidate for the role? Change your perspective and ask yourself what kind of person would you like to hire for this particular role and how do you fit in this picture. How would the company benefit from your skills, experiences and personality? Also it is important to prepare your own questions about the position, the company, and what else might be important to you? Practise your answers and questions should you be nervous about the interview.
6. Prepare mentally and physically for the interview! Have only a light meal before the interview. Do some exercises the day before and have a good rest at night. Allow enough time to arrive at the interview. Detach yourself from the outcome.  It is only a job interview and there is no reason to get stressed about it. Your life will continue, the plants will be growing and the world will keep turning.
7. Listen actively! Preparation is everything and still it is hugely important to listen actively. Find out what the recruiter is interested in and engage in their need of filling the role. Merge your preparation into the natural flow of the conversation. Don’t oversell yourself and remember there is no value in giving information nobody is interested in.
8. Be honest! Have you had a tough time earlier in your life? When the recruiter asks about it, be honest and make sure you let them know what you have learned from this experience. That indicates that you are assertive and open to feedback. Be also honest about a lack of a required experience or certification, but show willingness to learn.
9. Be true to yourself! Make sure that you stay true to yourself as the person who you are with your experiences, your skills and your personality. You are perfect the way you are and there is no need to try to be someone different.
10. Have a positive mindset! Imagine yourself being already in this job you are applying for. How does it feel? What would be the greatest things about it? See yourself as the perfect candidate and act like one. Beat self doubt while listing all your achievements, skills and experiences required for this job. If you believe and ensure yourself that you will get this job there is no reason why it shouldn’t happen at all.

There are many more secrets for successful applications. But as long as you are prepared to put the effort in the application process for a job you really want, there is nothing that can stop your success!

And even if an application turns out differently than expected the job was most likely not meant to be for you. Evaluate what you would like to improve for the next interview and how you can implement these changes. Remember every experience holds a learning for us and the dream job might be just around the corner!

Best of luck for your next application!

by Sandy Seeber – November, 2011

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