Applying for a job is a process that requires persistence, creativity, research and hard work. The job market is competitive so you need to differentiate yourself from others to succeed. Writing an excellent application letter is a crucial step to get your foot in the door.
Lack of research
Not doing enough research is a common mistake that results in rejections. Candidates who do not put enough effort to research the organisation, the hiring manager and the position advertised have a slim chance of success.
Each application letter needs to be tailored to the job. Address your email or letter to a specific person. The application letter needs to convey a sense of your personality and professionalism. You need to convince the recruitment team that you are the right candidate for the post advertised. This where research is crucial to write a good application letter. Candidates who pay close attention to the specifications of the job will be more articulate in communicating how they fit the requirements.
A good application letter must show an awareness of the job and enthusiasm to join the organisation. The statement in the application must clearly and concisely explain how you meet all the essential criteria for the job and perhaps some of the desirable criteria. Your application letter is a sales pitch. Don’t regurgitate your CV. The application letter needs to highlight the skills and qualifications that make you the right candidate for the job.
Overlooking values
Meeting the essential criteria is not enough to secure a job. Many employers use values based recruitment approach to help them identify candidates who possess values and attitudes that will fit in their team.
“Values based recruitment (VBR) is an approach to help attract and recruit prospective employees whose personal values and behaviours align with the NHS values outlined in the NHS Constitution.” NHS Employers
It is imperative you research the core values of an organization. These are guiding principles by which an organisation choose to operate. You need to demonstrate some of these values in your application.
Not being allocentric
Most candidates think only about themselves. How can I land this job? The thinking is limited to the employee perspective. You need to consider the recruitment process from the employer’s perspective. Being allocentric will give you an unfair advantage to stand above the lot. If you were recruiting someone and had to go through 100 applications, how would you shortlist the best candidate for an interview?
It is not the most exciting job to go through hundred generic applications. The hiring manager wants to select the best candidate who adds significant value to the organisation. It helps if you make his job easy by writing a compelling application that will instantly grab his attention and help him to that conclusion.
I hope you have gained insights from reading this article. I wish you the best of luck in your application. If you receive rejections, don’t get discouraged you can always ask for feedback to improve your application next time.
