Applying for a Job

“Success happens not by chance, but because you were given a chance and took advantage of it.” – Kevin Geary

Knowing where and how to apply for a job is just as important as whether or not you’re qualified. Campus career centres are the best, even after you graduate. They’ve got connections with companies that recruit graduates and often have all the information you need. It’s advisable to speak to some of your professors and their colleagues who tend to be quite clued up. Of course, newspapers, websites, and recruitment agencies can be a great help too.

When applying to multiple jobs, it’s important to think of each one separately. That may seem obvious, but it’s amazing how many people use the exact same materials for all submission. While some aspects (such as work experience) are always relevant, others need to be changed. Customisation is the key! It helps to keep track of all the applications you’ve completed and changes you’ve made (make sure you follow up to get confirmation), together with offline copies of everything you submit.

The same goes for the cover letter. This one-page introduction must be specifically tailored to the job, specifically addressed to whoever will be reading it (with their name and designation correct if you can find that out in advance), and specify the position you’re applying for (or a reference number if you have one).

Different companies want different things and so you should highlight only what is relevant to them is a must. You’ve got to match what you have to offer with what they want by explaining why you want to work in that particular area and how doing so will benefit you both. Research the company beforehand so you can mention something specific that makes you want to work there as opposed to somewhere else.

What’s really important in this day and age is to keep the tone formal even when submitting online. That means using a greeting, short sentences, simple words, and including your contact details at the end of each email (so the search for your number doesn’t turn into a scavenger hunt). It also means NO emoticons or using an email alias like sexyboy86. (Besides, I think it’s taken.)

“People might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly work for all they get.”