Stop applying for the wrong jobs
In this game, quality will make you win not quantity. Here is why.
In my work as a coach and recruiter, I can not count how many candidates I see applying for jobs that are not even close to their profiles. Did they read the job description? I ask myself this exact same question on a daily basis.
Job requirements keep a certain level of flexibility. We, recruiters, know (and hiring managers should know it as well) that the perfect-fit candidate doesn’t exist in the real world. Nevertheless, there are some basic criteria that will determine whether or not applicants will pass the screening stage. For example, experience in a given programming language, or in developing a certain type of product, or in a certain technology, or even in performing a certain task. I would pay special attention to the first 2-3 bullet points in the list of requirements. They usually are the most important ones and not matching them can be a deal breaker.
Matching the job requirements will definitely increase your chances to get an interview, but there is one more thing you can do. Work on your application to make it easy for recruiters to see you as a strong candidate. Let’s dive deeper into this and the previous topic.
Don’t apply randomly
When you make choices in your life, do you usually make them randomly or by choosing what actually fits you the most? The destination of your next vacation, a piece of clothing, a dish in the restaurant… Random or planned choice? Why then would you choose your next job randomly? No, it won’t increase your chances, but rather the time and effort you put into your job search.
Sending out 100 job applications without checking if the requirements match your profile will not increase your chances to get an interview. Even though you don’t read the job descriptions, someone will read your CV and you will get interviews for those jobs that are a good fit for you. For all others, your application will be rejected. It’s a waste of time and when this cycle happens repeatedly it may kill your motivation to look for a better job opportunity.
Instead of applying randomly, apply for companies and jobs that excite you and match your skills and experiences by at least 70% — especially the first 2-3 requirements on the list.
Have a bullet-proof CV
You found the right job for you and now you want to apply for it. Before hitting the button apply, double-check your CV against the job description. It’s even better if a third person can compare both the CV and the JD and give you feedback. Websites like Tag Crowd also help you to see which keywords stand out in your CV. Are they aligned with the job requirements? I am not saying they should be the same. Of course not, as your CV is not supposed to be a copy of the job ad, but a representation of your skills and accomplishments. However the more aligned the job description and CV are, the higher your chances to get your application approved. If you never worked with Docker, don’t write this in your CV just because it’s one of the requirements. However, I have seen so many senior engineers who do have hands-on deployment experience and simply do not mention this in their CVs when applying for jobs that ask for this type of contribution.
Besides tailoring your CV to present you as a good match, you should also make sure that you keep things simple and organized. Recruiters are extremely busy people whose eyes are trained to screen your CV in a few seconds. Therefore, do this.
- Keep it short. Having a 1–2 page CV that focuses on the skills and accomplishments that are relevant to the job will increase your chances much further than having a 3–4 pages CV that tells a lot — without telling what the recruiter wants to hear.
- Keep it simple. The sessions you need in your CV are contact information, summary, work experience, education and skills. There is absolutely no need to describe each and every project you worked on, or your certifications, hobbies, or online courses, especially if they are not required to apply for the job.
- Keep it organized. Use bullet points to describe your work experience in terms of accomplishments and/or responsibilities.
I hope these tips help you make successful job applications and consequently increase your interviews rate. Do you still have questions about job search in Europe? Let me know in the comments. I would be happy to address your questions in my next article.
Cheers,
Nanda.
