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Don’t let them smell your fear! Or lack of preparation. It’s tempting to fire off loads of applications, largely saying the same thing. But this scattergun approach will rarely succeed. You should tailor your applications to each of the employers you are applying to. This is a bit of a careers service mantra, but it makes sense. It doesn’t mean you can’t re-use stuff you have already written on different applications. But you may need to re-package it. Just look at each job ad individually, think about what they are looking for and give it to them!
Sounds simple. Here are some things you can do to make sure you get it right first time:
- Spend as much time as you can on each application. It will show through to the employer
- Do your research. Find out about the employer. Use its website, or Vault.com (available on campus only). Check online newspapers like the Guardian to see if they are in the news at all or what’s going on in the sector
- Read the job ad. Some employers are very clear about what they are looking for (listing core competencies, qualities etc.). For others you will have to look for key words in the text
- Make sure everything you write is focussed on the job ad. Use your experience (work, volunteering, education, sports/hobbies) to show how you fit what they are looking for
- Don’t make any spelling mistakes! It’s the quickest way to the reject pile. If you are using spellcheck, make sure it is on UK English rather than US if you are applying for a UK job
- Get someone to read it first. Careers advisers are available in CDEC from 12-4pm every weekday (and 5-7pm on Wednesdays). Book on the day by calling 01273 678429 from 10am. If you can’t make it in, or have moved away after graduation, use our careers advice online system (if you are eligible)
Keep an eye out for upcoming CDEC events. We’ve got a skills briefing and CV Clinic coming shortly. Plus Deloitte will be here on Thursday 12th February to look at the use of competencies in graduate recruitment.
